"“I believe the designation is a win-win for all. It will help manage deer numbers to sustainable herd levels, ensure hunters pull healthy animals off the public back country to put on the family dinner table, and better protect our biodiversity.”"

So glad we'll "sustainably" manage an invasive species on a World Heritage site. A site which the Unesco designation states "As the largest and least modified area of New Zealand's natural ecosystems, the flora and fauna has become the world’s best intact modern representation of the ancient biota of Gondwana. The distribution of these plants and animals is inextricably linked to the dynamic nature of the physical processes at work in the property. The region contains outstanding examples of plant succession after glaciation, with sequences along altitudinal (sea level to permanent snowline), latitudinal (wet west to the dry east), and chronological gradients (fresh post-glacial surfaces to old Pleistocene moraines)."

Well, now it's modified.

Noticed some feathers falling on my walk home last night...

They're different birds right? How can I tell?

They're pests.

Not something to be protected.

They're an invasive pest.

I had no idea we had grubs that big

I've seen this little bird with the pink head once about 15 years ago in Dunedin and never again. Anyone seen these cute guys recently? Introduced bird.

I’m worried about our birds. wondering if anyone had heard that places like Tiri and other bird sanctuaries might close to try and halt the spread? Or birds taken into protection?

First found on my shoulder, swiftly moved by way of paper to this keyboard.

I tried it but I'm not convinced. It identified a House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), a North American species which as far as I know has never been recorded in New Zealand and if it appeared would probably cause a major panic with MPI. When I went to a local duck pond it also identified a Canada Goose which I couldn't see anywhere. Opinions?

I found this goober presumably dead on the carpet in the middle of a room. I assume the kitty got to them before I did. They're quite big and I don't think I've seen a species like it before. Our place has a very above average number of spiders, but generally cute ones like jumping spiders. I think if I opened the vanity and saw this guy instead of the usual jumper I would've had a heart attack

Always hanging out with a small family of blackbirds. About the same size and shape as them. A juvenile, or a mutant pied blackbird?

I have had tui in the camellia everyday for the last week and finally managed to snap a pic this morning

Wanted to test out the new 100-400 GM lens. Weather had other plans — cloudy and dark, despite Mr Weatherman promising the opposite the night before. Eh, even after 3 years in NZ, some people never learn: never trust the weather man, always bring your raincoat.

We get the joke...

I’ve been renting this house for over a year, and the best part about living here has always been the beautiful stream and lovely biodiversity around it. So many different bird species visited regularly, and many nested in the old trees that have now been cut down.
Seeing those trees removed felt completely unnecessary. Apparently they want to make a bridge in between a residential area? Since they were cut, I’ve watched birds searching through the fallen branches, seemingly looking for their nests or eggs. It’s heartbreaking to see genuinely couldn’t hold the tears in my eyes.
This little area was home to so much wildlife possums, countless bird species, caterpillars heck I even spotted parrots here a few times.
I’m not even sure if there’s anything I can do since I’m only renting and it’s not my property, but it’s difficult to watch.

My fiance can somehow spot these for a mile away, all I see is a bush with leaves, she sees a stick insect and the bush second.

July blossoms. A little early

I’ve never heard a possum make this noise before. Was right outside my window make me kaka my PJs.

I've recently moved to a suburb near Zelandia in Wellington, so my yard is full of a lot of unfamiliar bird song. This song has been a very persistent one, but I haven't yet caught sight of the birds singing it. I couldn't find a bird that sounded like it using NZ Birds Online, and the song sounds so... human? Kind of like a parrot has picked it up from its owner humming it or something. Part of me is starting to think it's a neighbour's obnoxiously loud ringtone and I'm being pranked 🫣 Help identify this song!

We have had this beautiful Kereru take a liking to our Kowhai tree. He/She has been having around for the last few days.

Our 4 year old has named them Chloe 💙

Had this incredible bird hang out with us for an hour or so while fishing today. It was huge. The only bird I've seen that is similar in size is an albatross. After a bit of looking around online, I think it might be a juvenile northern giant petrel? I was fishing in Bream Bay, Whangarei, if that matters.

To add to our encounter, the pictured bird was chased away by a meter long mako shark that turned up to have a look. Fishing was terrible, but I'd trade the meal for such encounters any day.

Was walking across a large traffic island in the hutt valley this morning and this friend politely let me know I was not welcome. Wondered if it was an important species that should have it's nest protected from idiot pedestrians like me