Three of us, on a hill overlooking a stunning wee coastal bay, in the dark, the milky way lighting up the sky, shooting stars providing bursts of magic. Pen in hand we wait for the first kiwi call...then not one, but two start calling each-other just 200m away, clear as a bell on a still night. A pair (their calls are distinctively different) What a thrill. We recorded 7 calls over the two hours. That's pretty good we are told by the experts. Just in case we needed even more entertainment, we also heard lots of moreporks, a few nocturnal pukeko, the odd possum and one very strange high-pitched whine that none of us could identify until we realised it was the thermos lid leaking air after a very welcome hot cup of tea at half time.
We have joined up with the local Landcare group who focus strongly on maintaining a supportive environment for kiwi. We recently attended a workshop to learn how to record the calls as a way of keeping track of where all the local kiwi are. They are keeping us awake at night at the moment - it is truly amazing to know they are right there digging around in the bush beside us - this might be our only chance to actually see one too so when the weather clears up we will do a 'kiwi and glow worm watching night' Apparently each kiwi has several burrows and sleeps in whichever one they find themselves closest to when dawn breaks. Then after dusk they call to their mate to find them ready for foraging all night. They are getting ready to nest at the moment. Very exciting.
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