Christchurch's Cathedral square- in memory of "the Birdman"

Does anyone remember the blind man who used to feed the large flocks of red-billed gulls in Cathedral Square ?- who passed away in 1988- at the time quite an identity of our inner city scene. Also were there any articles about him and does anyone know his name ?
Keen for any details- langlands@xtra.co.nz

Thanks
Peter

Morepork found dead in Christchurch Botanic gardens

Morepork found by Luke Martin - thanks for photo Luke which shows characteristics of a morepork- a very unusual record for urban Christchurch .

Profile

Peter Langlands
Based in Christchurch New Zealand I am a professional independent ornithologist who loves exploring my regions wild spaces. I have been birding in Canterbury since 1980 and have added five new bird species to NZ checklist. I am actively involved in conservation advocacy and protection of important habitats for birds throughout Canterbury. I also do research and have recently completed the National database of bittern records in New Zealand for the Department of Conservation and have completed three years of monitoring of the breeding success of wrybills- an endangered and iconic bird that breeds in the Canterbury Region. I can provide detailed location information or customised bird watching information packages complete with maps and GPS information. Guided trips by arrangement are also available. I am linked in with a wide range of birdwatchers and Ornithologists throughout New Zealand. I am also trained in SLR- technical bird photography. Bird photography tours are also available. E:Langlands@xtra.co.nz Cell- 0274 501 916


Photo credit to Dave Hansford-
Origin Natural History Media

Mute swans

In addition to endangered native species Peacock Springs also breeds mute swans.

Wetlands at Peacock Springs

There is some outstanding wetland habitat around the wader aviaries at peacock springs- (wild) black-billed gulls have breed at

this site.

Orange-fronted parakeet

Peacock Springs plays a vital role in the captive breeding program for orange-fronted parakeet

Emma- wildlife ranger at Peacock springs addressing OSNZ group at black stilt avairy

Peacock Springs- brown teal avaries

Crystal clear spring water flows past many of the avaries-

a real benefit of the site.

Shore plovers

Several pairs of shore plover are held at Peacock Springs- attempts are being made to re-establish wild populations of shore plover on islands around NZ. This is our second most endangered wading bird.

OSNZ field trip to Peacock Springs May 2011

Peacock Springs is one of the main captive rearing sites for Brown teal- Pateke - in New Zealand with birds reared for release into locations in Fiordland and Northland

correction -

wood duck is at Horseshoe Lake not Bottle Lake - a Freudian slip- there were lots of bottles drifting around there !

Australian wood duck at Bottle Lake

Bird ( a male) sighted today at Bottle Lake in Christchurch- likely to be the same bird sighted in January at Bromley Oxidation Ponds- A vagrant from Australia likely to have come across the Tasman during the gale force nor westers in Late Dec 2010

Marsh crake

Most raupo beds around Lake Ellesmere have marsh crakes in them- visit at dusk for the best chance of sighting this elusive dweller of the reed beds