Kaikoura coastline

Kaikoura will forever be one of my favourite places in New Zealand. I've been lucky to have spent quite a bit of time here; undertaking whale research, working, living and playing along this stunning part of coastline. The coastal walk along the top of the peninsula is a must-do when visiting Kaikoura.

Birds at Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Following on from my previous post, below are some New Zealand birds that I photographed on my visit to Orokonui Ecosantuary. Many of these species struggle to survive outside of the fenced off ecosanctuary, due to predation by introduced predators outside of the fence.

New Zealand woodpigeon/kereru

South Island robin

Having a feed

Looking very satisfied after feeding

Bellbird in full song

Bellbird

Another stunning kereru

Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin is one of several fenced off wildlife sanctuaries in New Zealand. Designed to keep introduced predators out, these sanctuaries protect the vulnerable endemic species within. Most of these species are on the brink of extinction, and being endemic they are found nowhere else in the world. Many people are familiar with New Zealand's birds that are on this list, but there are also a huge array of other endemic species of animals and plants that we are fighting to protect. The below Otago skink and tuatara are two such examples of lizards that are unique to New Zealand.

Otago skink

Otago skinks

Tuatara

Trip to bluff

This was a magical short trip away to Bluff at the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. It turns out that the cabin we had booked to stay in was a magnet for birds. I've never seen so many tui in one place at one time before!

Nugget point

Tui - one of the many photos taken of this species this day

Bellbird

Silvereye

A whole gathering of tui!

Kereru posing amongst the flowers

My best spot for spotting Kereru (New Zealand wood pigeon) is in Fairfield, Dunedin. The last time I visited I saw four individuals in one tree. They are a delight to watch when they try to sit on a branch that can't support their weight, or when they eat so much ripe fruit that they become drunk from the fermented sugars. The below individual was too beautiful not to photograph as it was posing among the spring blossoms.

Dunedin winter wildlife

Out enjoying some of the beautiful sights and charismatic species of the Otago peninsula. This area is known as the wildlife capital of NZ.

New Zealand sealion pups play fighting

Fantail

Red-billed gull

Roxburgh in winter

Reflecting back to a quick winter getaway, wandering into the chilly hills in Roxburgh, Central Otago New Zealand.