New Zealand and New Caledonia November 3-20, 2003
DAY 1
Our group of five assembled in Auckland on November3. After picking up our rental car we drove to the Firth of Thames at Miranda, which is the finest shorebird site in New Zealand. We arrived on the best possible day as it was at maximum high tide. Among thousands of Bar-tailed Godwits were hundreds of Wrybills and a handful of New Zealand Dotterel among other assorted species. We overnighted at the Shorebird Center.
Day 2
After morning birding at Miranda, we drove South to Lake Rotorora where our main target was the endemic New Zealand Dabchick. We observed a pair nest building in sulphur pools, and also encountered NZ Scaup, and Red-billed and Buller’s Gulls along the lakefront. We tried in vain to reach a site for the Blue Duck, but saw Tui , NZ Pigeon and Bellbird enroute. We had to return to Auckland in order to catch our late evening flight to New Caledonia. After landing in Noumea, we eventually found our way to our hostel where we spent a short night.
Day 3
Was spent at the Mount Koghi site, and we did a dry run to Riviere Bleue, the Kagu site, where we were to meet with Yves Letocart the following morning. We did spot some of the endemics at Mt. Kogi. White-bellied Goshawk, Dark Brown and Barred Honeyeaters, N. C. Friarbird, N.C. Myzomela,Yellow- bellied robin, N.C. Whistler, N.C. Flycatcher, Long-tailed Triller, Striated Starling, Silver-eye, Green-backed White-eye, Gray and Streaked Fantails. Night at the hostel (Auberge de Jeunesse)
Day 4
We met Yves at Rivere Bleau. Within an hour we had close encounters with four Kagu. At one point all four were perched and calling upon a fallen log. Later we saw the rare Crow Honeyeater, Cloven-footed Dove, Metalic Pigeon, New Caledonia Imperial Pigeon, Horned Parakeet, Southern Shrikebill, N.C.Crow, Melanesian and N.C. Cuckoo-Shrikes, and most of the the remaining New Caledonia endemics.
Day 5
Given special instructions by Yves for the Grassbird , we drove to another site. Enroute we observed the endemic Parrotfinch and the Buff-banded Rail, but dipped on Grassbird.
Day 6
After some general AM birding on New Caledonia, we returned to Auckland, got a rental car then drove north searching for a motel for the night. We finally found a place at 1:30 AM .ureora Forest where we were able to get some information on Kokako and get a cabin for the night. Kakas were noisy and common.,
Day 7
We proceeded to our objective Traunson Kauri Park, North of Dargaville, but made stops at Waipu Lagoon for Fairy Tern and Helena Bay for NZ Brown Teal and Banded Dotterel. We arrived at the park in the late afternoon and prepared to go out for Kiwi in the evening. Our 1st trip was uneventful due to a noisy group of campers. Later we returned with our leader and were treated to good looks at the North Island Kiwi.
Day 8 was spent traveling from Dargaville to Pureora Forest where we were able to get some information on Kokako and get a cabin for the night. Kakas were noisy and common..
Day 9
We arrived at the Buried Forest site at dawn, where we heard the Kokako. This bird proved difficult, but we prevailed and had great looks at this elusive species. The Kokako is a wattle bird, and is the only species of this family which still exists in the natural state. (The Huia is extinct and the Saddleback exists only on offshore predator-free islands where it has been relocated from the mainland). After a successful search for Whitehead, We headed south to a Blue Duck site where it appeared on que as luck would have it, and after a long drive we returned to Auckland for the night.
Day 10
In the morning we left Auckland on the ferry to Tiritiri Matangi Island, where we were to spend the next two days. This is a predator –free island where some of NZ’s rarest birds have been introduced. They include the North Island Saddleback, Stitchbird, Kokako, Brown Teal, Takahe and Little Spotted Kiwi. You must get an overnight stay to have a chance for the Kiwi. Upon arrival we were given a lecture by a volunteer and allowed to proceed along the trails. We managed to see all of the rarities, and after a long evening had excellent looks at the Kiwi. Night in cabin on the island.
Day 11
We were able to do some birding and get better looks and photos, we left the island by ferry in the late afternoon and returned to Auckland, where we picked up luggage in storage and flew to Wellington, where we stayed the night in a hostel.
Day 12
We rode the ferry to Picton, seabirds were uncommon, although a few albatross were seen. After arrival we took a boat trip to see the endangered NZ King Shag. We stayed in accommodations above a pub for the night in Nelson.
Day 13
Drove to Punakiki searching for Great Spotted Kiwi locations. Managed to go off s steep road and had to get a wrecker, but this didn’t curtail our evenings search for the Great Spotted Kiwi. Fantastic location, but no sign of the kiwi. We searched another area, but to no avail. Night in Punakiki.
Day 14
Drove from Punakiki to Glenarchy. Searched fro Black Stilt , but rain and high water in the braided river prevented us from seeing this bird. Stayed in a bunk house in Glenarchy.
Day 15
Glenarchy to Paradise searching for Yellowhead with no luck. Drove to Milford Pass and Homer Tunel where we had great views of Kea and Rock Wren. Night in Invercargill
Day 16
Ferry to Stewart Island. Took a trip and saw three species of penguin, Fiordland Crested, Little Blue and Yellow-eyed. Went of Ulva island where we missed Yellowhead again, but some saw South Island Saddleback, which had been introduced, Rifleman and others.
In the evening we took a trip to the other side of the island where we located a few Stewart Island Brown Kiwi which is considered a south Island Brown by taxonomists .
Night in Butterfield cottage..
Day 17
Returned to Invercargill, and went to a Fernbird site where it was seen well by all.
We met up with other people who were going to join us for the Subantarctic Island pelagic trip.

After the pelagic trip ended in Dunedin, some of us went to the Catlins, where Yellowhead was seen well along with Rifleman and others.