Semi live from New Zealand
Nov 23rd, 2022, 02:31 PM
#21
Original Poster
Unfortunately the ferry to Tiritiri has been cancelled for a second day running so we aren't going there
Now headed toward Coromandel and the famous Miranda bird hides. Earlier we went on a short walk in Shakespear Regional Park. Lots of the big native pigeons.
Now headed toward Coromandel and the famous Miranda bird hides. Earlier we went on a short walk in Shakespear Regional Park. Lots of the big native pigeons.
Nov 25th, 2022, 02:53 PM
#23
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Looking forward to hearing about your visit to Miranda Shorebird Centre. Did you see bar-tailed godwits and wrybills? Miranda has been on my bird bucket list for such a long time. I envy you!
You might enjoy this recent article one bar-tailed godwit's annual migration from Alaska to Tasmania:
https://www.theguardian.com/environm...hern-australia
Sorry to hear that you couldn't get to Tiritiri Matangi. As you noted in your earlier post, Hauraki Gulf can be rough at this time of year. But it sounds like you've already seen plenty of the same birds you would have viewed on Tiritiri Matangi, so you haven't missed much.
Were your sightings of brown kiwi and brown teal at night or during the day? Have you seen any kōkako yet? It's that stunning bird on the $50 bill. If not, keep your ears peeled for their song, which has been described as "mournful" (this is how I first noticed one on a bush right behind me).
Tawharanui, which you visited, is also supposed to be a good place for spotting kiwis. I was told so by a young CA woman who'd seen them there on this tour.
I, too, was affected by the weather when I traveled to Tiritiri Matangi for the first time. I'd planned to spend only one night on the island, but on the following day ocean conditions were too rough, so salings were cancelled and those of us who'd planned on leaving had to spend an extra night. It was a blessing in disguise as we ended up having the island to ourselves (no day-trippers), but I also ended up forfeiting a prepaid night in a very nice Auckland hotel.
While there is no shortage of great-tasting rosé in NZ, as you seem to be a fan of Nelson's Seifried Winery you might want to try their flavorful pinot noir rosé. It's one of our favorites and excellent buy when on sale for $15.
You might enjoy this recent article one bar-tailed godwit's annual migration from Alaska to Tasmania:
https://www.theguardian.com/environm...hern-australia
Sorry to hear that you couldn't get to Tiritiri Matangi. As you noted in your earlier post, Hauraki Gulf can be rough at this time of year. But it sounds like you've already seen plenty of the same birds you would have viewed on Tiritiri Matangi, so you haven't missed much.
Were your sightings of brown kiwi and brown teal at night or during the day? Have you seen any kōkako yet? It's that stunning bird on the $50 bill. If not, keep your ears peeled for their song, which has been described as "mournful" (this is how I first noticed one on a bush right behind me).
Tawharanui, which you visited, is also supposed to be a good place for spotting kiwis. I was told so by a young CA woman who'd seen them there on this tour.
I, too, was affected by the weather when I traveled to Tiritiri Matangi for the first time. I'd planned to spend only one night on the island, but on the following day ocean conditions were too rough, so salings were cancelled and those of us who'd planned on leaving had to spend an extra night. It was a blessing in disguise as we ended up having the island to ourselves (no day-trippers), but I also ended up forfeiting a prepaid night in a very nice Auckland hotel.
While there is no shortage of great-tasting rosé in NZ, as you seem to be a fan of Nelson's Seifried Winery you might want to try their flavorful pinot noir rosé. It's one of our favorites and excellent buy when on sale for $15.
Last edited by Diamantina; Nov 25th, 2022 at 03:15 PM.
Nov 26th, 2022, 09:03 AM
#24
Original Poster
We did see about 5000 Godwits at one hide and roughly 50 Wrybill at another area. Another highlight was Blue Duck. Unfortunately unless I extend my trip and risk going back to Tiri we have exhausted other Kokako options. It was one if my top three want-to-see species.
We going to Zealandia as consolation which has no Kokako.
Last night we stayed in Havelock North in a nice motel (Wine Country Motel). One of the company owners lives here and hosted us for pizza, raspberries and salad from his veg patch and a pour of Elephant Hill Le Phant Rouge ( red blend).
Walk in Boundary Hill
We going to Zealandia as consolation which has no Kokako.
Last night we stayed in Havelock North in a nice motel (Wine Country Motel). One of the company owners lives here and hosted us for pizza, raspberries and salad from his veg patch and a pour of Elephant Hill Le Phant Rouge ( red blend).
Walk in Boundary Hill
Nov 27th, 2022, 12:47 AM
#25
Original Poster
Our N Brown kiwi spot was at Marsden Cross near Kerikeri. We probably heard 30 calling and saw two, one huge female less than 10 feet away who turned her head straight at us! ( Normally you see a big butt facing away). Exceptional.
We are at Foxton tonight @ Celtic Motel. Seems newly outfitted (eg brand new towels). My TV is bigger than the one I have at home, there was a Whittaker's square and shortbread cookies with the tea caddy. We had grilled steak and chicken prepared by our guide again as the normal restaurant has decided to close on Sundays. Probably staffing issues.
We are at Foxton tonight @ Celtic Motel. Seems newly outfitted (eg brand new towels). My TV is bigger than the one I have at home, there was a Whittaker's square and shortbread cookies with the tea caddy. We had grilled steak and chicken prepared by our guide again as the normal restaurant has decided to close on Sundays. Probably staffing issues.
Nov 27th, 2022, 02:33 AM
#26
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5000 bar tailed godwits and 50 wrybills sounds amazing to me! (I'd hate to be the person in charge of counting the godwits at Miranda.)
Very nice that you also saw a whio and two North Island kiwis, including one very large female! Did you see the whio at Miranda?
I'm sorry you were not able to see a kōkako. Did you see the other two of your three want-to-see species? Even if you had gone to Tiritiri Matangi, you might not have seen a kōkako. Will you be visiting Pūkaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre? I've not been there, but just read they have both wild kōkako flying around in their reserve as well as one kōkako that could not be released into the wild in an enclosure.
That's a nice photo of the forest with the immense tree ferns. Is Boundary Hill in Boundary Stream?
I'm sure you'll enjoy Zealandia.
Very nice that you also saw a whio and two North Island kiwis, including one very large female! Did you see the whio at Miranda?
I'm sorry you were not able to see a kōkako. Did you see the other two of your three want-to-see species? Even if you had gone to Tiritiri Matangi, you might not have seen a kōkako. Will you be visiting Pūkaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre? I've not been there, but just read they have both wild kōkako flying around in their reserve as well as one kōkako that could not be released into the wild in an enclosure.
That's a nice photo of the forest with the immense tree ferns. Is Boundary Hill in Boundary Stream?
I'm sure you'll enjoy Zealandia.
Last edited by Diamantina; Nov 27th, 2022 at 02:43 AM.
Nov 28th, 2022, 09:22 AM
#28
Original Poster
We made it to Picton by ferry last night although getting off was a bother as a big truck had stalled out on the exit blocking nearly every one. At first they said it had broken down but apparently operator error. Still made our reservation at Oxley and had a lovely fresh Orange Roughy dish. Did not realize there was still an active commercial fishery for that.
Nov 30th, 2022, 09:16 PM
#32
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"Albatross Encounter" was that on the menu or a bird sighting??
Now that does look like a tasty pie! I wonder how many world famous pie shops there are in NZ and Oz. Keep and eye out for a "Who Ate All the Pies" pie. Their stay and bluff oyster pies was possible the best pie I have ever tasted (and there have been a few!)
Now that does look like a tasty pie! I wonder how many world famous pie shops there are in NZ and Oz. Keep and eye out for a "Who Ate All the Pies" pie. Their stay and bluff oyster pies was possible the best pie I have ever tasted (and there have been a few!)
Dec 2nd, 2022, 09:35 AM
#34
Original Poster
WE are on the tourist trail now. View toward Franz Josef from Bella Vista Motel.Yes that is blue sky!
Every motel has No Vacancy signs up and if your desired restaurant doesn't take reservations good luck. We missed getting in to Alice May by a few minutes due to a Russian group of 16. There was a buffet nearby so we didn't starve.
Heard that a large batch of visas has been authorized to help with staff shortages.
Dec 4th, 2022, 07:13 AM
#40
Original Poster
Monkfish Fat Duck Te Anau
Unfortunately they sat us at an table in the middle of the bar. Uncomfortable and noisy. Fortunately it was open on a Sunday night. The food was decent and the live guitar player a few feet away stopped 5 minutes early. Te Anau seems to have evolved into a miniature Queenstown.
