Photos / Sounds

What

Kakapo (Strigops habroptila)

Observer

lobotaniser

Date

November 2005

Description

This is the first photo of a Kakapo drinking in the wild.

Photos / Sounds

What

Jewel Anemone (Corynactis australis)

Observer

tomvierus

Date

October 28, 2018 09:30 AM +12

Photos / Sounds

What

North Island Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris ssp. granti)

Observer

brony

Date

August 10, 2021 12:30 PM NZST

Description

female (unbanded) seen together with a male (zealandia banded 2020) several days in a row in the same area / looks like a new breeding territory. First time seen on Te Ahumairangi Hill

Photo by Melissa Boardman

Photos / Sounds

What

Five Finger Looper (Xyridacma alectoraria)

Observer

possumsend

Date

July 22, 2021 07:45 AM NZST

Description

Moth Week. 7 degrees, cloud clearing, big moon.

Photos / Sounds

What

Bounty Shag (Leucocarbo ranfurlyi)

Date

March 16, 2021 11:55 AM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Greater Fulmar Prion (Pachyptila crassirostris ssp. crassirostris)

Date

March 2021

Photos / Sounds

What

Blackfoot Paua (Haliotis iris)

Observer

naturewatchwidow

Date

April 30, 2021 01:25 PM NZST

Description

ID for the paua - same as this observation: https://inaturalist.nz/observations/75744067

Photos / Sounds

What

Kawakawa Looper (Cleora scriptaria)

Observer

schneehagen

Date

May 1, 2021 11:24 PM NZST

Photos / Sounds

What

Tradescantia Leaf Beetle (Neolema ogloblini)

Observer

stephen_thorpe

Date

April 4, 2021 12:29 PM NZST

Description

The Domain, Parnell, Auckland 1010. Three larvae feeding on the underside of a leaf on shaded tradescantia.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

steve_kerr

Date

March 9, 2021

Description

male, 5 mm

flagellar formula: 2 + 8 + 3/4

caught by James Tweed, alt. 300 m
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/73903356

Photos / Sounds

Observer

apteryx54

Date

March 10, 2021 10:05 AM NZDT

Description

Pelagella sp. Length 3 to 4mm, depth 2m in shaded area. Juvenile? @clinton @jpsilva , ID please if possible.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dr_robert

Date

March 7, 2021 02:00 PM NZDT

Description

Swept by day in shady ridgetop forest at about 400 m a.s.l.

Photos / Sounds

What

Galean Sharks (Superorder Galeomorphi)

Observer

goodonya

Date

February 2021

Description

Great white shark (possibly), swims beneath two seals

Youtube video of the shark here:
https://youtu.be/pMNiQZ1HgtI

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Alps Gecko (Woodworthia southern alps)

Observer

dave_holland

Date

February 2021

Description

dried dead gecko blown by wind and caught in between two rocks. freeeeaaaakkkkyyyy!

Photos / Sounds

What

Pallid Cuckoo (Cacomantis pallidus)

Observer

simonnicholas

Date

February 13, 2021 01:55 PM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

tony_wills

Date

April 19, 2019 04:19 PM NZST

Description

I often find crane fly exuvia/shells, but this is the first time I've found one emerging. I first saw what I thought was a honey dew thread with a bead on the end. But then it opened out and I realised it was a cranefly. In the first photo it has almost completely emerged, just the tip of its abdomen is still in the shell. The second photo is of the head of the exuvia/shell within a large borer hole in the tree trunk. At first the halteres aren't evident, but are seen in later photos as it dries out. Note the mites on the abdomen on the 4th photo, I found them also swarming over the exuvia - they evidently climbed on to the fly as it emerged. The 8th photo was 40 minutes after I started photographing, it flew off shortly after that. It appears to be 15 to 20mm long.
(the tree is a dead Holly tree)

Photos / Sounds

Observer

schneehagen

Date

February 5, 2020 09:50 PM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

steve_kerr

Date

January 20, 2020

Description

13 mm

Photos / Sounds

What

Pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa)

Observer

fabiomologni

Date

December 12, 2020 02:44 AM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Common Tiger Beetle (Neocicindela tuberculata)

Date

December 24, 1882

Description

  1. ... a-f on sandy places Botanical Gardens W'ton Dec 18-24 - 82

Tags

49a, 49b, 49c, 49d, 49e, 49f

Photos / Sounds

Observer

jtweed

Date

November 15, 2020 06:52 AM NZDT

Description

Reasonably commonly swept from vegetation within beech forest.

Photos / Sounds

What

European Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Observer

dave_holland

Date

January 12, 2019 11:03 AM NZDT

Description

An horrific find!

Bird dispersed seedlings of this terrible weed in the middle of a large remnant lowland podocarp sand dune forest. As far as I am aware this is THE only forest of it's type left.

The heavily browsed under story from years of cattle (gone) and deer (high numbers historically and presently) have reduced the understorey to unpalatable species only and let the light in. Now this ecosystem which in it's natural state would have been too dark for exotic plants to invade, is extremely vulnerable to bird dispersed invasive weeds spreading from the adjacent villages of Papatowai and Maclennan.

Recorded in this forest already in descending order of abundance are:

Blackberry abundant in places on edges as usual.
Himilayan Honeysuckle.

Darwin's Barberry. Common in edges and moving further in.

Rowan. Common in one corner.

Himalayan Cotoneaster abundant in edge and in clearings on landward side, seedlings in other edges.
European Holly. Only this patch of seedlings seen (but there will definitely be more especially on the Maclennan side).
Common Honeysuckle (Probably "Dutch Early Honeysuckle" Lonicera periclymenum var Belgica. One patch, on edge.
Cherry Laurel. Seedlings under beech canopy.

Probably here as young plants or seedling pioneers already (due to abundance close by) but not observed
yet in this block - unless the deer are cleaning them up:

Common Ivy.

European Black Elderberry
Spurge laurel
Chilean Flame Creeper.

Franchet's Cotoneaster.

Stinking iris.

Tutsan
Flowering currant
Bittersweet

Other bird dispersed invasive weeds (and potentials) found to date, close by in urban gardens and doc/Council land, but are still in the pioneer stage of invasion but not for much longer :

Wild Cherry
Japanese Flowering Cherry
"Wild" plum
Late Cotoneaster
Hollyberry Cotoneaster
Slender Cotoneaster
Japanese Honeysuckle
At least two "Rose of Sharon" St John's Worts
Arum lily.

Common privet.

Strawberry Tree
Korokia
Japanese Spindle Berry
European Spindle Berry
Black cherry (tbc)

Italian Arum
Gooseberry
Hardy Fuschia
Black Currant
Several other exotic fuschia
Himilayan Firethorn (tbc)
Common Yew
Wild Asparagus
Chilean Vanilla Tree

There will be more i haven't found yet. Will add information as it comes to light.

And that's just the bird dispersed ones! There are other weeds too that need attention.

Photos / Sounds

What

Pterapotrechus (Genus Pterapotrechus)

Observer

shaun-lee

Date

October 27, 2020 09:09 PM NZDT

Description

Mating. Spermatophore in females mouth.

Photos / Sounds

Date

October 10, 2020 01:38 PM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Ground Yellowjackets (Genus Vespula)

Observer

dave_holland

Date

April 3, 2020 01:34 PM NZDT

Description

COMPARISON OBS PLZ LEAVE AT GENUS LEVEL.

Comparison between:
Vespula vulgaris QUEEN.
V. vulgaris WORKER.
V. germanica WORKER.

For comparison with:
V. germanica QUEEN see:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/35298484

For the two different QUEENS side by side see:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/42534542

Complete set of castes germanica vs vulgaris see:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/42536795

Complete set of germanica castes see:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/42536794

Complete set of vulgaris castes see:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/41663384

For ID of Vespula MALES see:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/42040174
Also (with dissection):
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/116510663

For ID of Vespula WORKERS see:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/41667758
And:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/69245344

For germanica QUEEN and MALE mating see:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/42534531

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus ssp. vagans)

Observer

xylhq

Date

August 18, 2020 09:20 AM NZST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

dave_holland

Date

August 5, 2020 11:12 AM NZST

Description

the coolest little dudes, only about one cm long, living on the gut weed in one pool!

Photos / Sounds

What

North Island Fernbird (Poodytes punctatus ssp. vealeae)

Observer

dave_holland

Date

July 30, 2020 04:28 PM NZST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

jon_sullivan

Date

April 26, 2020 11:53 PM NZST

Description

It's another night and this wasp is still here diligently guarding this NZ mantis egg case.

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Sea Lion (Phocarctos hookeri)

Observer

amarzee

Date

January 13, 2020 07:32 PM KST

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae)

Observer

petemcgregor

Date

May 1, 2020

Description

First walk after the shift to Level 3, and this karearea flew up the ridge to settle on the stump in front of the top seat and check me out for a minute or two. One of two.

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Striped Gecko (Toropuku inexpectatus)

Observer

saras

Date

June 2020

Description

Northern (Coromandel) Striped gecko.
Official research undertaken in partnership with the Auckland Zoo.
Spotlight search. Gecko processed for svl, tl, w etc and catalogued.

Photos / Sounds

What

North Island Kākā (Nestor meridionalis ssp. septentrionalis)

Observer

jacqui-nz

Date

July 3, 2020 11:45 AM NZST

Description

Feeding on kohekohe fruit. Cleverly managed to hold onto the round marble-like fruit without dropping it.

Photos / Sounds

What

North Island Saddleback (Philesturnus rufusater)

Observer

xylhq

Date

November 7, 2018 03:59 PM NZDT

Description

Foraging on a Harakeke

Photos / Sounds

What

Ground Yellowjackets (Genus Vespula)

Observer

danilo_hegg

Date

October 27, 2019 09:12 PM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Sea Lion (Phocarctos hookeri)

Observer

daturademon

Date

May 27, 2020 09:48 AM NZST

Description

These pups were absolutely adorable. They were playing. It seems like a rather odd place for them to be. They were tagged.

Photos / Sounds

What

Puffballs (Family Lycoperdaceae)

Observer

tony_wills

Date

May 9, 2020 08:25 AM NZST

Description

Two tiny puffballs on a different species of tree than usual /observations/45421511

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Hermit Crab (Pagurus novizealandiae)

Observer

kelvinperrie

Date

May 6, 2020 04:29 PM NZST

Description

The one in the cat's eye snail shell banged itself against the other one until the second crab left it's shell. Then first crab tried the other shell out for size before going back to it's original shell

Photos / Sounds

What

North Island Kākā (Nestor meridionalis ssp. septentrionalis)

Date

April 24, 2017 04:54 PM NZST

Photos / Sounds

What

Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator)

Observer

ashley_bradford

Date

November 14, 2019 12:56 PM EST

Description

Another interaction, with onlookers and an ornery neighbor

Photos / Sounds

What

Greenbottle Flies (Genus Lucilia)

Observer

ameeds

Date

March 5, 2020 03:17 PM MST

Description

Palps looked lighter than they show up in the photos. I get coeruleviridis- what do you all think?

Photos / Sounds

What

Spotted Estuary Smooth-Hound (Mustelus lenticulatus)

Observer

parkecology

Date

February 22, 2020 07:34 PM +13

Photos / Sounds

What

Australian Sheep Blow Fly (Lucilia cuprina)

Observer

glmory

Date

February 28, 2018 04:15 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Blow Flies (Family Calliphoridae)

Observer

tony_wills

Date

December 13, 2017 02:43 PM +13

Description

Explosive take-off on first downbeat of wings, grains of sand etc blown away from take-off site by downdraft.

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Giraffe Weevil (Lasiorhynchus barbicornis)

Observer

lisa_bennett

Date

February 11, 2020 01:13 PM NZDT

Description

Did I cry with happiness when I saw this gorgeous creature? Maybe :) I've been looking for one for so long!

Photos / Sounds

What

Common European Greenbottle Fly (Lucilia sericata)

Observer

steve_kerr

Date

February 11, 2019 04:34 PM NZDT

Description

ID based on Holloway 1991

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Sea Lion (Phocarctos hookeri)

Observer

lloyd_esler

Date

January 6, 2020 05:50 AM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

flossiepip

Date

November 26, 2019 09:16 PM NZDT

Description

Found this tiny male walking all over a square ended crab spider.

Photos / Sounds

Observer

simonnicholas

Date

January 26, 2020 09:48 AM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Wandering Albatross Species Complex (Complex Diomedea exulans)

Date

January 4, 2020 01:29 PM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli)

Date

January 4, 2020 01:50 PM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Blue Green Chiton (Chiton glaucus)

Observer

tony_wills

Date

December 28, 2019 11:25 AM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Black-backed Gull (Larus dominicanus ssp. dominicanus)

Observer

tony_wills

Date

December 26, 2019 11:52 AM NZDT

Description

I should have held onto this until 2020-04-01 but thought I'd impose it on you good folks now ... yes the bird is in the photo!

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae)

Observer

dougalt

Date

January 30, 2016

Description

New Zealand falcon - possibly juvenile. Tinakori Hill/Northland in pine tree by Northern Walkway. No leg bands.

Photos / Sounds

What

Red-billed Gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae ssp. scopulinus)

Observer

john_barkla

Date

December 10, 2019 10:22 AM NZDT

Description

Part of large colony, some pairs still with eggs and others with well-advanced chicks.

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae)

Observer

dianneclarke

Date

November 21, 2019 08:21 AM AEST

Photos / Sounds

What

German Yellowjacket (Vespula germanica)

Observer

dave_holland

Date

November 4, 2019 12:58 PM NZDT

Description

Vespula germanica. QUEEN.

Approx 20mm.

Comparison with:
V. vulgaris QUEEN
V. vulgaris WORKER
V. germanica WORKER
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/41271883

Photos / Sounds

What

Orca (Orcinus orca)

Observer

andymckay

Date

November 2, 2019 11:03 AM NZDT

Photos / Sounds

What

North Island Kākā (Nestor meridionalis ssp. septentrionalis)

Observer

dougalm

Date

September 30, 2019 05:40 PM NZDT

Description

Presume it was a juvenile as it did not have the adult colouring. Distinctive curved beak.

There was another Kaka in the adjacent tree.

Photos / Sounds

What

Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingii)

Observer

schneehagen

Date

September 21, 2019 10:58 PM NZST

Photos / Sounds

What

Domestic Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos var. domesticus)

Observer

kaylene

Date

May 16, 2013

Description

light brown and dark brown feathers on head and back and a wide white ring around its neck, with mallards

Photos / Sounds

What

New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

Observer

saracoutinho

Date

August 24, 2019 11:27 AM NZST

Description

A couple (three?) bellbirds talking to each other (and a faint kereru flying past).

Photos / Sounds

What

Pacific Reef-Heron (Egretta sacra)

Observer

gus320

Date

November 16, 2018 11:54 AM NZDT

Description

Feeding in the shallows on a low but incoming tide. Was in the middle of a large number of oystercatchers and black backed gulls until the water level saw them depart. Had to fight off a couple of gulls to keep its catch. Flew off to the east after 20 min of observing.

Photos / Sounds

What

Mainland New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura ssp. melanura)

Date

October 17, 2018 11:35 AM NZDT

Description

1 fledgling and 2 adults

Photos / Sounds

What

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Observer

harryrosenthal

Date

September 17, 2018 07:10 AM AEST

Description

calf

Photos / Sounds

What

Leopard Seal (Hydrurga leptonyx)

Observer

jacobl

Date

September 7, 2018 11:20 PM NZST

Description

About 3m long! It was slowly making its way down to the sea.