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Description
Forgive me for digressing a little before introducing this birdingplace. New Zealand has no native mammals except for one: the Dolphin. There where never mammalian predators on land in New Zealand. Accordingly, most birds and other animals in the country, know no natural predators. Unfortunately, immigrants from Europe and elsewhere introduced all kinds of invasive species to the country, from rats and weasels to ferrets, cats, and several others. These invaders represent a high risk for other animals, especially for the many bottom breeders among New Zealand’s birds. In order to protect its native species, many animal sanctuaries have subsequently been built in the country. These are usually fenced-in forests and grasslands, with the fences dug deep enough into the ground for predators to be unable to tunnel them. Traps ensure that invaders are caught and eliminated quickly. As a result, these sanctuaries are birders’ heavens and also offer plenty of other wildlife opportunities that are much harder to find elsewhere on the islands.
Zealandia is such a wildlife sanctuary. What makes it special, in addition to being home to a large number of endemic species, is that it is wedged into a valley between different neighborhoods within Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. As such, it offers one of the simplest ways to encounter plenty of interesting and rare wildlife in the country.
Bird species you might encounter here include the Rifleman, North Island Saddleback, Whitehead, Little Shag, Shining Cuckoo, Kākā, Red-crowned Parakeet, as well as the elusive Takahē.
Details
Access
Getting to Zealandia is a cakewalk: you can get here by car or take one of several bus lines from downtown Wellington. Press P on the map for directions to the parking lot.
The 225 hectare sanctuary features paved tracks, parts of which are wheelchair accessible, as well as more challenging hiking tracks that include steep elevation changes. There are lakes and wetlands, a suspension bridge, a café and several other places of interest on the property. You can easily spend a whole day here.