Amazing afternoon
December 15th, 2006 at 4:19 pm by sarahToday we went to the Whanarei Native Bird Rescue, where the owner of the hostel we are staying at has a special arrangement with the gentleman who runs the rescue. For $5 nz we would be given the opportunity to pet a Kiwi – the only place in New Zealand where such a thing can be done. We’d been trying to see kiwis while we travelled around, unsuccessfully, so this seemed like the perfect way to round out our trip.
At about 2pm we joined five other people and met up with a Mr. Robert Webb. He took us back to a group of bird enclosures, holding a variety of birds that had been rescued, including a Tui which could talk – very rare. He then when down and got a Kiwi for us to see, bringing it in his arms right up to where we were standing. They’re big, about the size of a large chicken, and really extraordinary. We were allowed to pet it and take as many pictures as we wanted as he patiently answered questions and gave really excellent information about the bird itself (Sparky) as well as kiwis in general. As we gazed at the bird in awe he mentioned that he has a few baby blue penguins if we’d be interested…
Incredible. He went into the rescue building and came out with a ball of fluff – the imature penguin was just starting to loose it’s fuzzy baby feathers and the blue ones were just starting to grow in. We stood on a porch and knelt down as he let the little guy run around between us. Everyone got a chance to pet it and play with it. Then he went and fetched its brother, and suddenly there were two of them padding around and tussling over the possibility that we might have fish. We didn’t, but they tried our fingers regardless, so now I’ve been nibbled by a penguin too!
After he put the penguins back safely, he took out a Harrier Hawk that had been rescued the day before. Apparently it’d be struck by a car, and had some missing feathers on it’s head and a broken wing. He held this one carefully, but allowed us to stroke it a little and explained how he’d be treating it.
By far this was the most amazing experience we’ve had, and the dedication and care the guy had was truly inspiring. Here’s a link to their website, which has pictures as well as webcam shots of the penguins (camera 2). We took plenty of pictures too, but aren’t able to post them yet, sorry!
December 15th, 2006 at 4:39 pm
the pictures on the place’s website are amazing! http://www.whangareinativebirdrecovery.org.nz/photos.html
please note that the little owl on the right is a morepork. which is a fantastic name for an owl.
December 16th, 2006 at 2:12 am
I’m with you Steff- those birbs ARE amazing!!!!xxxooo jed
December 16th, 2006 at 10:41 am
Could not believe the size of the albatross, the blue penguins are adorable. Looking forward to 10,000 pictures.
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