New Zealand part one, Kea

After a long period of absence I decided it was about time I updated my blog. Since March last year I have had many interesting wildlife encounters, some in the UK, many in Mexico where I conducted herpetological survey work for Operation Wallacea through June-August and more recently in New Zealand. On this particular trip despite a unique and fascinating reptile fauna present my focus was solely on birds (though I did manage to photograph a tuatara..). Those who know me will instantly think, New Zealand must have some pretty special birds and you are correct! Over the past month I've clocked up around 165 species, including many endemic species, I haven't tallied up how many of these I photographed but it's certainly a good number. One of my favourites has to be the Kea, a bird well known for pulling the rubber off car windows and otherwise damaging vehicles. Personally I find them very endearing, they are clearly highly intelligent and are great to watch in their high alpine habitat.

A brief update for friends reading this, aside from working overseas and the odd photo trip I spent much of the past few months working as an ecological consultant which is currently on hold for the time being with other plans shaping up. All in all it's been an action filled year and it's flown by, so to those who I haven't kept up with as well as I would have liked, I'll be back in the UK from early March when I plan to catch up with some of you (Matthew Bruce etc) in Rugby. I should then be around for most of March and April and would love to spend time catching up.

A big thank you to Brent Stephenson for hosting and helping me to locate and photograph all these birds! If you are interested in arranging any birding trips to NZ, Brent is the person to get in touch with. His blog http://b1rder.blogspot.co.nz/ and his guiding website http://www.wrybill-tours.com/.

A Kea appearing inquisitive as ever.

A Kea nicely framed by the late afternoon sunlight.

This Kea is honing it's ever growing bill - all the better for chewing up cars ;)

A pair flying gliding by a dramatic waterfall.

Finally, last but not least, one of my favourite shots of this species, an adult bird showing off it's beautiful under wing as it approaches its elevated perch.

Next up will likely be a selection of sea birds.. Stay tuned!