New Zealand February - June 2015, Glentanner

The Black Stilt (or Kaki) is a sad story in New Zealand's conservation history, as these birds were already suffering from major population declines due to predation by introduced mammals when the construction of a dam almost provided the death stab to this bird of braided river systems. Numbers plummeted to a mere 23 in 1981. Luckily conservation efforts are picking up the pieces now and a captive breeding project is in place to boost the numbers of this critically endangered species.

Ironically, one of the best places to see this beautiful species is at the shore of lake Pukaki, one of the huge lakes created by the construction of dams to provide New Zealand's renewable electricity. We enjoyed a total of six individuals at this site. To get to the exact location where we observed Black Stilts, drive to the Glentanner Airport at the northern shore of Lake Pukaki and take the first gravel road to the right North of the little airstrip. Here is a gate where you can park the car and than follow the gravel road on foot towards Lake Pukaki. At the streams running towards the lake we found five Black Stilts and another one flew past. Unfortunately, this strikes me as another site in New Zealand that might be hard to get to when travelling by public transport and again, hitchhiking might be your best option.

Two adult and two juvenile Black Stilts (Himantopus novaezelandiae)

Other birds observed here included the endangered Black-fronted Tern, who has suffered a similar fate as the Black Stilt, heaps of Paradise Shelducks, White-fronted Heron and some New Zealand Pipits. Interestingly we also observed two dozens of Black-fronted Terns hawking for insects during a snow storm between Twizel and Omarama, so it makes sense to keep you eye out while driving through the area. At Twizel the Black Stilt breeding center can also be visited (12 NZD). We did not visit this breeding center, but it is probably a good experience, plus a visit would actively support the conservation of this species!

Black-fronted Terns (Chlidonias albostriatus) in a very kiwi setting