w3parakeet
Well-known member
I had heard that a male kakapo had been allowed a holiday on Ulva island which is just across the water from Stewart Island. I visited Ulva Island back in February and our guide was Ulva Goodwillie. I sent her a message asking if there was any chance she could either post a picture of Sirocco or send me one. Ulva very kindly sent me a snap which I have now posted and this is what she had to say about one of only 86 Kakapo.
"Sirocco is absolutely gorgeous. 9yrs old and a real star. He loves the limelight and gets raucous when we turn away to leave after murmuring admiring accolades to his handsomeness. Our evening walks have been going for two weeks now and have eight weeks left. I'm not sure if the Department of Conservation will allow us to show a kakapo again, he's the friendliest of the 86 that we have left in the world. His feathers are exactly like the blechnum fern. In fact when he is amongst the ferns, unless he turns his head you can not tell the difference, even when you're looking straight at him.
Photos are notoriously hard to take in the dark and we are not allowed flashes. I hope my photo is clear enough for you - it was the best of about 20 that I took - the one attached was just fortunate that his head went under the headlight of the kakapo minder and the white spots are rain on the perspex surrounding the huge pen in the middle of the bush. Did you know kakapo has a aroma? Sort of like the freesia flower. Truly! Apparently that's how most of them vanished - predators found them really easily.
If you can get it on to the website you were referring to, please feel free. Just advertise that its at the world's southernmost bird sanctuary. And of course you can put my name if you wish...
Yours in bird heaven,
Ulva
Ulva Goodwillie
Specialist Natural History Guide
Ulva's Guided Walks
Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary
PO Box 85, Stewart Island, NZ
p: 64 3 219 1216 m: 0276 881 332
e: [email protected] w: www.ulva.co.nz
You have been sent 1 picture.
"Sirocco is absolutely gorgeous. 9yrs old and a real star. He loves the limelight and gets raucous when we turn away to leave after murmuring admiring accolades to his handsomeness. Our evening walks have been going for two weeks now and have eight weeks left. I'm not sure if the Department of Conservation will allow us to show a kakapo again, he's the friendliest of the 86 that we have left in the world. His feathers are exactly like the blechnum fern. In fact when he is amongst the ferns, unless he turns his head you can not tell the difference, even when you're looking straight at him.
Photos are notoriously hard to take in the dark and we are not allowed flashes. I hope my photo is clear enough for you - it was the best of about 20 that I took - the one attached was just fortunate that his head went under the headlight of the kakapo minder and the white spots are rain on the perspex surrounding the huge pen in the middle of the bush. Did you know kakapo has a aroma? Sort of like the freesia flower. Truly! Apparently that's how most of them vanished - predators found them really easily.
If you can get it on to the website you were referring to, please feel free. Just advertise that its at the world's southernmost bird sanctuary. And of course you can put my name if you wish...
Yours in bird heaven,
Ulva
Ulva Goodwillie
Specialist Natural History Guide
Ulva's Guided Walks
Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary
PO Box 85, Stewart Island, NZ
p: 64 3 219 1216 m: 0276 881 332
e: [email protected] w: www.ulva.co.nz
You have been sent 1 picture.