Wellington City biodiversity

[ledzep]

A Red-crowned Parakeet on my walk into work today mid-way up Garden Road in Northland. Just a single bird actively moving between trees (not calling) heading away from Botanic Gardens and up the hill (Zealandia is quite close). It was quite near, close enough for me to a get a good view of the red crown.

[Michael Szabo]

Saw 3 Banded Dotterels on the gravel area between Moa Pt Road and the southern end of the airport this morning plus 3 Skylarks feeding in the grass on the western side of the runway and in flight singing over the same area.

[Michael Szabo]

I've had a report from Sally Eyre that she saw 4 Banded Dotterels there earlier in the day and witnessed Southern Black-backed Gulls predating on chicks in a nearby nest.

[Michael Szabo]

Just saw a photo of a juvenile godwit on Petone beach posted to Facebook.

[Iain _Thorpe]

Just saw a Reef Heron in Evans Bay. Feeding on exposed rocks at low tide just north of Balaena Bay. It flew off towards Shelly Bay. A big treat for me. I see them about once every ten years, and never managed to see the ones that were living around the Harbour Police Station a few years ago. The photo is not very good sorry. A photographer with a long lens came past and took some pictures which he said he will post on his fb photgraphy page. I have the link if anyone is interested, but won't post it now because I am not sure of the rules about posting links.

[Wrybill]

Not bad photo I have seen them once there before too.

[Michael Szabo]

Denis Asher reports via Facebook seeing 500+ White-fronted Terns on the Port Nicholson yacht club sea wall down on the waterfront this evening:
https://scontent.fpmr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/ ... e=63F5BF1F

[Colin Miskelly]

A harrier flew high over Prince of Wales Park (Mt Cook, central Wellington) this morning.

They are a rare bird in the central city, but this is the time they are expected to occur, as they migrate north from the central South Island before winter.

Ngā mihi
Colin

[ledzep]

Good views of a tiff between a Falcon and Harrier, watching from the hills above Chartwell (above Silverstream Road) on Saturday morning. Falcon calling loudly and dive-bombing the Harrier, who continued to soar and barely flinched.

[ledzep]

A reminder to anyone who wants a free Kaka display, there is usually a group of 12 or so Kaka around 5 pm each day at the Anglican Chinese Centre / Elements Rhythmic Gymnastics on Tinakori Rd opposite the main entrance to Wellington Botanic Gardens. Noisy, and doing their gymnastic displays on the deck. Easily visible from the road.