Kiwi

Zealandia, a wildlife sanctuary outside of Wellington, offers a twilight tour to see and hear the nocturnal birds of New Zealand, specifically the ruru (morepork/owl) and kiwi.

Two weeks ago, we heard a kiwi outside our window in Kumara.  And during a night hike (free of charge) to see blow worms, we heard our second kiwi and a ruru in Kaiteriteri.

Our tour was scheduled for 7:15pm, and as such, our day revolved around the word ‘wait.’

Wait.

Because it was a national holiday; ‘Labor day may affect these hours’ was posted on everything online.  Wasn’t much to see or do.

Wait.

Because the weather wasn’t cooperating.

Wait.

Because I didn’t want to get wet and cold before our tour.

We did brave the wind and rain for breakfast and venture out on a long-ass walk to the cable car, botanical gardens, and entrance to Zealandia.

It was time to ‘see’ a kiwi.  Zealandia did not disappoint!

Our first sighting was a small male, hopping and waddling in a field of grass probing with his beak for grubs.  While our group of international tourists were crowding along the perimeter trying to video him, Larry and I stood in the moment and enjoyed his antics.

The second kiwi, a larger female was also in a grassy field.  I couldn’t get my phone to work, so Larry took out his phone and made a 13 second video.  Unfortunately, she was too far away and cellphones are no match for nighttime clarity.

To say the kiwi sighting was the highlight of our trip would be quite a gross exaggeration, but it came close!