Wellington City biodiversity

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Colin Miskelly
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby Colin Miskelly » Sun Feb 11, 2018 5:09 am

Hi Peter
1 or 2 reef heron pairs are resident on Mana Island, mainly on the west coast though they can be seen near the landing bay. DOC staff have reported nests occasionally, and I have seen family groups or fledglings on several occasions.
Cheers
Colin
Jim_j
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby Jim_j » Sun Feb 11, 2018 4:01 pm

On a less brighter note, I have not seen a reef heron at Pukerua Bay for maybe a year or so now.
There was usually one resident around the beach area half way along the road, often also spotted flying back & forth up the coast along centenial highway.
Up till about 10 years ago there were often 2 birds in the area.

cheers
jim
andyf
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby andyf » Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:43 pm

Last Sunday and again yesterday a Tui was singing, whistling and gurgling its heart out in a tree on Manners St, across from the bus stop by Arty Bee's. This is very much concrete jungle and it was a big surprise to me to hear it. I don't rate its chances of a mate passing by.
Andy
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ledzep
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby ledzep » Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:47 pm

Walking round Zealandia fenceline today, some natives outside the safety of the fence. Saddleback heard calling around -41.298897 174.738524, and a Robin calling repeatedly some distance away from this site, several hundred metres further west into Long Gully bush area. Further round, Whiteheads in pine trees about 100 m north of the Brooklyn wind turbine, and 2 Robins calling just outside the fenceline at -41.308258 174.746234. Whiteheads also in trees at -41.295466 174.751889. Good to see there is a sign up in the George Denton reserve area with a picture of a Saddleback, reminding people with dogs to beware and the possibility of a $3000 fine for killing native birds.
sandyw
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby sandyw » Sun Mar 25, 2018 8:20 pm

A scaup today on Wellington harbour. It was at the Waitangi Park end of Port Nicholson Yacht Club at Clyde Quay. I've ever seen one on salt water before. It was getting the odd reminder from a female mallard about who was boss.
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ledzep
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby ledzep » Thu Mar 29, 2018 9:00 pm

Finding Tomtits in Wellington can be a bit tricky. They were calling close to the path just a little way up the Tawhai St entrance to the Tawhai loop walk in Stokes Valley. Only a hundred metres or so down the track, near a RIP cross for a dog. Several pairs in the area near the street end.
sandyw
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby sandyw » Sun Apr 01, 2018 7:55 pm

There are always quite a few NZ pipits in Te Kopahou reserve. First one encountered at the 'golfball' radar station on Hawkins Hill and many more between there and Te Kopahou trig above Sinclair head. They are often on the gravel roads there and feed along the verges. Difficult to photograph as they are constantly moving.

I've heard there are cirl buntings in the area, but no sign today. Anyone know if there have been any seen recently in Te Kopahou?
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ledzep
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby ledzep » Sun Apr 01, 2018 9:19 pm

I have seen lots of Pipits on the beach around the Red Rocks area in winter - easily 40 to 50. They must all come down from the Te Kopahau area. I've never seen Cirl Buntings in that area - Baring Head yes, and further north Green Point to Titahi Bay area. But no reason why they shouldn't be in the Te Kopahau area as well.
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George Hobson
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby George Hobson » Mon Apr 02, 2018 3:22 pm

ledzep wrote:Baring Head yes, and further north Green Point to Titahi Bay area. But no reason why they shouldn't be in the Te Kopahau area as well.

Slightly off topic, but any tips for seeing them at baring head, pleasseee? I've tried there a large number of times, with no success. Thanks!
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CMKMStephens
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Re: Wellington City biodiversity

Postby CMKMStephens » Mon Apr 02, 2018 7:19 pm

Friday in Zealandia spotted an NZ Falcon/kārearea circling and calling at range (1)

Sunday walking from Ōtari-Wilton Bush to Wadestown, saw what looks more like a Harrier at extreme range, before it headed up towards Te Ahumairangi Hill. (2)

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