Last evening in Zealandia was delightful. It was warm, calm and we had a full tour of twelve people - 2 from France, 2 from Wales, 1 from London and the rest from New Zealand. My job is that of Tail End Charlie or Night Guide Assistant. I hang down the back and keep the group together, lock gates and scout for kiwi.
The Valley was full of bird sound as the the day birds settled down for the night and the night birds started to call. In the distance we could heard music wafting up from the Sound Shell at the Botanic Gardens and the city lights bounced off the clouds and lit up the valley in a soft glow.
The shags always put on a good show as they circle the lake and make pin point landings on their preferred roost for the night. Woe betide the bird that chooses a spot that belongs to another bird. Serious argument ensues until one concedes defeat and shifts over or flies off. Their witchy cackles sound quite ominous in the half light. They like to perch over water on exposed limbs of trees. Tonight this was no problem, but when the wind is blowing it seems to me an uncomfortable place to sleep as they cling with webbed feet to seesawing branches.
One Wellingtonian wants to see a morepork or ruru in Maori. We hear plenty but a sighting remains elusive. To me they seem to be calling 'whirl pool! whirl pool!' . They also have quite a few other calls including a sharp hunting cry, and a soft 'chur, chur 'as they talk to each other. This little owl has always done well in our city with enough bush to give coverage, food and nest sites.
We hang out in known spots and sure enough Flip Flop the kiwi wanders in true to form, following his usual beat. He is our most recent kiwi release to Zealandia. He had the misfortune to try a karaka berry on Kapiti Island. This is a very poisonous fruit for humans and some birds, and he sustained neurological damage. He was taken to the vet clinic at Massey University in Palmerston North, where he recovered, though for a while under stress he would lose control of his head and sometimes his whole body. This would cause him to wave his head about or flip over completely, hence his name Flip Flop. Now a somewhat 'special bird', he was released into Zealandia where he could be monitored. He has managed to secure himself a territory, but not a mate as yet. He has supplementary food placed in tubes which he checks out each night and which makes him easier to spot during night tours. Tonight he does not notice us as he feeds, then heads off back over the bridge to complete his circuit.
We also complete our circuit and lead our satisfied customers back out of the the valley and into the city lights once more.
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