New Zealand White Heron or 'Kotuku'

A single Kotuku considering its breeding opportunities in the tiny colony.

The Kotuku only breeds at the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve near Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island. This was our view from a purpose-built birding hide in the reserve - in the pouring rain.

Although known as the Eastern Great Egret outside of the country, in New Zealand it's known as the White Heron or, in Maori, the Kotuku. On the day we visited it was raining hard so I expected a refund was in order but no, the tour, with 8 other passengers, went ahead regardless. There's actually only one company licensed to take enthusiasts into the reserve so it's quite a privilege to take the tour and see the birds in their only breeding habitat, irrespective of the weather. Dion, the tour manager is full of interesting information - about the Kotuku as well as other bird species like the Royal Spoonbill which we also saw. He was clearly also very passionate about the work done by local environmentally minded locals to eradicate introduced pests that put so much stress on the native flora and fauna. The three biggest problem animals are: stoats, possums, and rats. Rabbits were introduced by the English as a food source and also as game to shoot. Stoats were subsequently introduced, again by the English, in order to keep the booming rabbit population from getting out of control. Possums were also introduced from Australia for sport. Rats just freeloaded on visiting ships. There's evidence of this eradication work everywhere - walking through the ancient forest leading to the hide, you see a lot of traps designed to remove these pests as quickly and as effectively as possible.

Apparently this widespread campaign is beginning to have a positive effect on the native residents. In the hotel we are staying at in Franz Josef the bed is decorated with soft possum fur cushions, not something you'd see in Australia where possums are protected by law.

A Kotuku that has possibly found a mate and is settled in on the nest - not much more than a few sticks placed seemingly at random on top of more sticks.

Kidney fern growing up a tree trunk. The wet weather is perfect for this kind of fern and, as it gets wet, its leaves become semi-transparent.

Paradise Shelduck in the pouring rain (NH)

The Little Shag or Kawapaca in the pouring rain (NH).