New Zealand July - December 2015, Trounson Kauri Park

Trounson Kauri Park is the second most famous Kauri park after Waipoua Forest and has just like Waipoua Forest some pretty massive Kauri trees. Unlike Waipoua Forest, however, it is a reasonably reliable site to observe North Island Brown Kiwi. These nightly critters can be observed on a two-and-a-half hour long Guided Kiwi Walk organized by Kauri Coast Top 10 Holiday Park (25 NZD), or by simply going into forest on your own. We joined a guided walk and enjoyed the nightly stroll a lot.

As I have been searching for Kiwi's for several times now, I figured out what the best strategy is to get one into to red light or your torch: Listen for their calls and follow the direction of the call. However, you will not find them solely by call, as the often call irregularly with intervals of 30 minutes or longer. Tape does not work either. Therefore, another strategy has to be applied: walk very quietly through the forest and listen for their "sneezes" and footsteps. I found this method very reliable and have found four of the five Kiwi species in this fashion so far. Applying this method also revealed a young male North Island Brown Kiwi in the Trounson Kauri Park and it allowed stunning views.

Male North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)

Apart from this the Kiwi we also enjoyed good views of several endemic fish species such as the endangered New Zealand Long-finned Eel and Shortjaw Kokopu. Other highlights were some Tree Weta's and Koura (endemic freshwater crayfish). I can recommend the guided night walk, but calling ahead to make your booking is necessary (006494390621). As most places in New Zealand, access to Trounson Kauri Park by public transport is rather limited and perhaps hitchhiking is the best option...

New Zealand Long-finned Eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii)