Day 306: November 2nd-Waiheke Island

Mix of sun and clouds, calm winds, mid 60s

       We take the ferry across to Waiheke Island, the second largest of the islands along the east coast of New Zealand.  With a total population of 6000 full-time residents, it is surprising vibrant with several wineries, a small family run Olive oil producer which has produced olive oil this year ranked as being one of the top 20 in the world, a golf course, and a beautiful beach.  We visited the oil producer and the Mudbrick Winery today, and the beautiful grounds upon which these concerns lie afforded me the opportunity to perhaps find a few new birds!

Leaving Auckland 

       Along the coastline, we found more of the traditional Silver gulls (also known as Red-billed gulls here), too many House sparrows to count, numerous mynas, and some Blackbirds.  The first new bird to the list was located at the Olive oil producing press.  We both spotted a gorgeous Eastern rosella which preferred to remain high in the canopy out of reach of the lens of my camera.

       As we moved on to the winery, however, I did manage to capture a couple of images of several new birds added to our New Zealand list.  The first was a strange looking bird resembling the Moorhens and gallinules we’ve seen before.  This bird is called a Pukeko, the main difference between it and its aforementioned cousins being its extra heavy bill.  As it turned out, we did find several in different locations around the winery.

       We had a bird we had previously seen in Ireland next.  The bird is a Chaffinch, and it was just as handsome as we had remembered from our previous sightings.  This one helped us out by perching on the posts used to support the wires upon which the vines grow fairly close and in good lighting.

       Finally, goldfinches.  Not the American goldfinches of North America, but New Zealands own brand with just a bit more panache, a bit more flair.  With brilliant red faces, and a spash of bright yellow down the wings, this bird was even more beautiful than our pretty ones back home, but actually flew in much the same way and had a song reminiscent of the North American variety.

       Our last bird of the day was a Black-backed gull, also called a Dominican gull.  Like our Greater Black-back, this is the largest of the gulls found here in New Zealand. 

       Tomorrow, it’s off to the land of the geysers and thermal springs of Rotorua.  Can’t wait to see what special species these lands bring to us.  C’mon along!