Ahead of a visit to Orokonui Ecosanctuary this summer, polish up your mātauraka taiao with Madison Kelly and Taylor Davies-Colley.
Raumati/summer is in full swing at Orokonui. The whole Orokonui team are looking forward to a busy season, full of birdsong and adventurous visitors ready to learn about our incredible taiao.
It has been a huge year for the sanctuary, and for conservation news around the country.
So, test your native wildlife knowledge against these photos taken at Orokonui by comms lead Taylor Davies-Colley.
Question 1 Orokonui is home to the only East Coast population of which native parrot?
A. Kea
B. Kākāpō
C. Kākāriki
D. Kākā?
Question 2 This kōkō/tūī is dusted in the indigo pollen of which vibrant flowering plant?
Question 3 Orokonui is home to many avian predators including these young cavity dwellers. Can you identify the chicks in this nest box?
Question 4 This special native tick is completely endemic to which reptile?
Question 5 Which flightless South Island native left these footprints in the snow?
Question 6 This pūkāwerewere/native spider is named for its unique weaving. Is it an …
A. Orb weaver
B. Nursery web spider or
C. Tunnel web?
Question 7 Kererū feasting on ripe red miro fruit is a signal for which significant annual event?
Question 8 The parent of this chick might give you a fright if you get too close! Who is pictured here in their forest floor nest?
Answers
1 D. Kākā
2 Kōtukutuku, giant tree fuschia
3 Ruru/morepork
4 The tuatara, home to the tuatara tick Archaeocroton sphenodonti
5 Takahē
6 B. Nursery web spider, Dolomedes minor
7 Puaka Matariki
8 Kārearea, the native falcon
Madison Kelly is lead kaiārahi/guide and Taylor Davies-Colley is comms lead at Orokonui Ecosanctuary.