Birds, birds and more birds: Tawharanui Ecology Trail.

The Ecology Trail at Tawharanui is a bird watcher’s paradise. A place where North Island Robins hop alongside your feet, Kaka swoop overhead and Piwakawaka flutter from tree to tree blowing you kisses. It is located in the Tawharanui Regional Park, around one hour drive from Auckland. It is a pest free reserve - made possible through the 2.5km long fence surrounding their property as well as a sensor gate that allows cars in but shuts once they have passed.

The Ecology Trail can be done in a number of ways - clockwise, reverse, or through an alternative track. The alternative track will be preferable when the tide is in, as there is a part of the walk which goes alongs the beach.

Follow the yellow brick road - or yellow poles and arrows, and you will find yourself on your merry way down the ecology trail.

From the start, the birds can be seen. On the beach, Patake or Brown Teal as well as Dotterels and Variable Oystercatchers.

**Pateke - Brown Teal - The rarest ducks on mainland New Zealand.**

Sand in the hiking boots is one of the most uncomfortable feelings in the world I believe. This is the feeling you may encounter if you trudge along in your hiking boots along the sandy coast. But to spot these beautiful birds it is very much worth that gritty sandy feeling between your toes.

Walking along the coast, you may encounter a couple canoodling or a shag diving in the waves, until you make it to a yellow pole.

This is the upward climb component of the walk. Everyone ‘s favorite part of the walk.

Across farmland, avoiding sheep poop and cow patts, turn left at the fork and head towards a sign that you just can’t make out but you want to go closer so you can stop squinting your eyes trying to read it. This is where you will a Kauri Dieback Cleaning Station - where you will need to wash your boots before you enter.

Upon entering this sanctuary, you may have a welcoming party in the form of a North Island Robin or Toutouwai. These are the bold and curious birds of the forest, brave enough to hop up to your feet and give you a once over.

Kaka screeching overhead. Quite the opposing greeting to the gentle scrutiny of the Robin.

Kaka are large parrots, who are often heard before seen during to their Pterodactyl like screeches. They are a delight to watch though once you spot them. Eating berries and seeds high above your heads with their claws.

Saddleback or Tīeke laugh their ways through the trees. I say this as their calls remind myself of the high pitched notes of laugher. They are elusive. Preferring to stay out of eye sight, they flicker through the trees only a flash of brown being able to be seen, or heard rummaging through the undergrowth.

Cheeky fantails or Piwakawaka flitter past, weaving through the trees - flashing their fanned backside at myself at several intervals. Before quickly turning around and showing their serious bushy eyebrows.

A family of gregarious Whiteheads converge on my location. Their chatter ringing through the forest. A mother feed her juvenile as he calls incessantly in her face for more grub. An individual stops for a second to give himself a groom in the sun, flickering his feathers and getting into the nooks and crannies. He stops to give me a once over - almost as if saying “what are you looking at”

The bush is alive with sound, the Tuis throaty call so loud it is almost deafening, the Piwakawaka’s kissy kissy sounds adding to the song, a flock of Kākāriki noisy chattering as they fly past, and the Kaka screeching overhead. This bush is alive and thriving and it is a pleasure to be ale to walk beneath the shade of the giant Kauri , and lush ferns while being able to say a hello to these many gorgeous creatures.

Info on the walk can be found here https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/get-outdoors/aklpaths/Pages/path-detail.aspx?ItemId=297