Fernbird

Slow morning which picked up once the cricket started.  Nice to simply relax and enjoy the surroundings not needing to rush to go somewhere/meet someone/do something.  Workshop scheduled to start at 4.00pm so I headed over to the venue - Donovan's Store in Okarito - about 3.30........no-one!  South Island time......someone turned up after about 5minutes.....Paula, local boat tour company operator.  We chatted and she told me that Leanne & Jayne wouldn't be arriving until about 5.30 due to the fires over Arthurs Pass.  Turns out they'd made a late decision to head over the mountains via the Lewis Pass to avoid the risk of not being able to get over Arthurs pass which almost doubled their drive time.  Not a great way for them to start the workshop - they must have been exhausted by the time they arrived.  Anyway, all was good and after a talk by Paula we were able to head away for a short period to explore a few birding locations.  I was thrilled to learn that there are fernbirds aplenty in the area and whilst this pic isn't great, its a statement about the relative ease of capturing them here.  Looking forward to heading back to their location tomorrow morning.  Also 'met' Heronius the Kotuku (extra) doing a spot of fishing in the same area..........he's quite a celebrity and didn't mind at all that people were pointing cameras at him.

Due to the forecast wet - very wet - weather on Sunday the programme has been amended a bit.  Tomorrow both groups (of 8) will do both the tour to see the herons and the lagoon tour.  Very much looking forward to seeing the herons in all their courting finery, hopefully with a few chicks too.  The couple of hours on the lagoon tour promises to be a tad chilly despite it being summer but the scenery and bird life will make it all worthwhile I know.  Very much looking forward to a packed day which will begin with an early-ish visit back to the fernbirds.