Wellington City biodiversity

[Michael Szabo]

I saw it flying around near there about 11am.

[Michael Szabo]

It was seen at Wellington College sports field again this afternoon at 5.15pm.

[Michael Szabo]

I saw a male Rifleman climbing along a main branch of the big Black Beech tree in the Botanic Gardens yesterday that's near the pathway up to the 'treehouse' by the threatened plant species garden, my first sightings at that location:
https://ebird.org/atlasnz/checklist/S140948987

[Michael Szabo]

I took photos of two male Rifleman/Tititipounamu at the Botanic Gardens early this afternoon. One was in the same spot where I saw one a few days ago and the other was foraging in the camelias and magnolia trees growing below the Treehouse between the entrance gate and the duck pond. Both birds were seen close to the ground.

I found them after hearing their high pitched calls. Both birds were quite easy to get reasonably close shots of but being Rifleman they move around very fast so you need to be quick to get the shot!

[Jim_j]

Great to see them spreading from the sanctuary - cats I guess will be the main issue

Cheers
Jim

[Michael Szabo]

Rifleman were recorded breeding at Te Ahumairangi Hill in 2021 where there is some pest control so these birds may be from there. Cats and rats will be the main pests in the Botanic Garden.

[Colin Miskelly]

A pair of kārearea / falcons are perched on top of the carillon (Pukeahu War Memorial Park).

Must be a fine day in the capital (or fine afternoon at least).

Ngā mihi
Colin

[Michael Szabo]

I saw an adult female NZ Falcon perched high in a dead tree near the Treehouse in the Botanic Garden today about 1pm. I also heard 2 Rifleman in the area below the Treehouse shortly before 1pm.

[AlfieB77]

Don’t know if this is a common sighting, but over the past few days I’ve been seeing kingfishers on fields. Never seen that before.

[Colin Miskelly]

I watched a falcon perched then fly from the carillon while walking to work. It is back there now 30 min later (viewed from my office window, plus Kate can see it with binoculars from home).
Ngā mihi
Colin