There’s something undeniably special about spending time in Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary. Whether you’re there for the serenity, the native bush, or the chance to see our unique birds thriving in a predator-free haven, the valley always delivers something memorable. On my most recent visit, it was the tūī – busy, vocal, and feasting on the flowering flax/harakeke.
A Feast of Flax/Harakeke and a Flurry of Activity
It’s no secret that tūī adore flax/harakeke flowers. The moment the blooms appear, the birds arrive in full force, chattering and whirring from branch to branch. At Zealandia, where the flax plants line the tracks and edge the wetlands, you’re almost guaranteed a front-row seat to the feeding frenzy.
The tūī were methodical, hopping along the stems and dipping their curved beaks deep into each flower. Every so often, they’d lift their heads with pollen dusting their foreheads like tiny golden crowns.
Patience, Positioning, and a Bit of Luck
Photographing tūī feeding on flax isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. My strategy was simple: choose a patch of flowering flax, settle in, and let the birds come to me. Zealandia is peaceful enough that this doesn’t take long. Before I knew it, several tūī were feeding only metres away – close enough to hear the soft rustle of their feathers as they shifted their grip on the stems.
This visit wasn’t just about tūī, though. I managed to photograph a range of other native birds and even spotted a few tuatara enjoying some time outside. Keep an eye out – those photos will be featured in my next post.
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