About 8 darting between the cobbles. Lots of preening. Also feeding. Both red and cream plumage individuals.
The Bandys have arrived back at the Avon / Heathcote estuary for another winter.
My guides say these brown cuckoo-doves are 'large', whereas I recall the birds as fairly small. They don't have any obvious head or neck markings, and are generally brown. They seem to be a pair.
Large black and white sea bird. Black runs across back from one wing to the other. Head is greyish and there is a white flash below the eye. Bill is alternately yellow and dark grey.
bellbird?
Flock of young ducks sticking close together. Orange feet on all of them.
Heard, saw and photographed a green parakeet in a native pocket of a pine plantation while out walking.
Fledgling dunnock?
Mallard or greylard?
Back at Queenstown Bay saw a Red-Billed Gull
Habitat - Urban
How many? - 4
Additional comments? - Group nesting by the side of the motorway. have been watching them for the last few weeks, but this time I was not driving and stuck in a traffic jam
Nest present - Yes
Behavior - Bird on nest
~20 birds, resting on tidal bay.
Dead fresh by stream. No injuries or damage could be seen. Body looked like s cramped style position. Lead poisioning have been found in birds in the area.
Not a nice find :-( Remains of a young kereru on the ground. Possibly just fledged or close to it.
The remains were found inside the Ark in the Park sanctuary, on the boundary line.
Juvenile flood refugee
This one and another walking alone down the path. Adults not present.
Habitat - Rural
Nest present - No
Behavior - Calling
How many? - one