Barn Owl access + good Northland habitat?

[Brendan T]

I was contemplating a trip up to Kaitaia, Northland, during my office closure to see the Barn Owls as I miss my Aussie owling quite a bit. I was wondering if there are any sort of permissions needed, e.g. farmers to talk to beforehand who have been historically happy to give us birders entry, or is everyone just doing some roadside birding at night? I ask because a lot of the eBird pins seem to be from within private paddocks, some a fair distance in. Any help much appreciated.

(As an aside, given the recent White-headed Pigeon and the ever-present possibility of something cool like a Rose-crowned or Superb showing up, does anyone know of any good rainforest-y type habitat up that way that may be worth taking a gander? Also curious about tidal access to Walker Island near Rangiputa, and other good shorebird places to scan for rarities up around Te Pua. And if people have had more success seawatching from Cape Maria or Cape Reinga?)

Cheers

[Brendan T]

Just bumping this one, hoping for some help. Cheers

[OwenM]

I would actually be wondering the same as I am going up there in February.

[paradoxdinokipi]

I believe you could probably just try driving and spotlighting along the road there for one, although last time I've asked someone told me to email/contact Les Feasey as he'd know, but I'm not sure if it was an old address or something but I never found a reply.

[FraserGurney]

Hi Brendan and Owen, there is a keeper of the keys for barn owl near Katitaia. Give me an email (on my profile on this website) and we'll sort something out.

Northland is hugely under watched, particularly the far north, so there's lots of habitat to explore up there. I've not done any seawatching or been to Walker Island, but I believe you need a kayak or similar for Walker Island.

[Brendan T]

Hi Fraser, really appreciate your reply, thanks. I've sent you an email about the owls.

Any pointers on some good chunks of rainforest-y habitat as a bit of a starting point? Otherwise I can try whatever I come across that looks promising!

[FraserGurney]

Hi Brendan, no problem. I'm not overly familiar with the forest in Northland, which there's a lot of, perhaps a Northland birder can chime in here with some advice.

[Ken George]

Hi Brendan, did you ever make it up to Kaitaia for the Barn Owls? Keen to hear about it. Thanks.

[Brendan T]

Hi Ken, it's still on the cards, but no, not yet, as it unfortunately bucketed down the week I had off. I'll make sure to report back here when I do manage to get up that way.