Bird is the Word.

Our most recent adventure was to Tiritiri Matangi Island. It’s an open bird sanctuary saved from being over farmed in the early 1900’s. The conservation project completely restored the island to represent what New Zealand would’ve been like before colonization. So a bunch of forest and no mammals.  Fact: There were no mammals on the island until humans brought them over, starting with tiny rats and well, humans.

We took a ferry over to the island and I expected it to either end up like Gilligan’s Island or Lord of the Flies. It was so windy that the boat captain warned us that he might not be able to return until night time. Which set the mood for adventure. I’m pretty sure they say that for every tour, ya know, to give the people some excitement/suspense.

So, I’m actually really terrible at spotting birds. Most of the time I just took pictures in the direction other people were taking pictures. Or I would take pictures in the direction of bird noises. I did get a few good shots though. Also, a bunch of good photos of the incredible forest and island. We hiked about half of the island. We seen a forest pigeon! I didn’t get a good picture of him, but he was my favourite bird. A forest pigeon is the size of like 5 street pigeons, he’s big and lazy. Sitcom idea: a Perfect Strangers situation where a forest pigeon comes to live with his cousin the city pigeon … someone get on that! Adorable.

(click here for the panorama if the embedded one doesn’t work, or to see it full screen)

  

 

Tiritiri Island is #1 on TripAdvisor for a reason. It’s so lovely. If we ever make it back I would love to do it again and stay over night to see all the night birds. They have Kiwis, tiny blue penguins, and giant wetas that were all sleeping like jerks while we were there.

~B~