Lake Mapourika welcomes an exciting new resident to it’s waters, a nesting white Heron or “Kotuku” as it’s referred to in Maori. The only nesting colony for these rare birds is located near Whataroa in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve. Lake Mapourika is often paid a visit by passing herons, but this season something special has happened …
We started spotting the heron a couple of months ago when entering into the kiwi sanctuary via our beautiful calm inflow … Sunsets in the creek are our favorite, this photo was snapped by Jonny last night:
Pretty soon we realized that each trip we were guaranteed to spot the heron at some point during our journey on the Lake. We noticed him in the trees flaunting his breeding feathers, and at the creek mouth snacking on small eels. Eventually one of the guides noticed the herons nest amongst one of the large trees in the protected Okarito forest. This bird is not just passing through, but here to stay for the season!
Check out some of our White Heron photos below …
Fishing for eels
Nice shot!
Breeding feathers out near the nest.
Spotted fishing paddling out of the creek.
Another great shot !
Book at tour today – before the breeding season ends in March 😉
