Kakapo Weekend!!

It's finally here!! The chicks are fit and healthy and the Brook Sanctuary, in partnership with Department of Conservation are putting them on display for the public for free this weekend!



The chicks will be housed in a big glass enclosure in the sanctuary entrance building this weekend (this is in New Zealand so I don't expect to see any of you there - although, having said that, this event is SUCH a once in a life time experience, I would have flown from anywhere in the world for it!)
We are unsure how many people will turn up. Last time this happened (in 2005) was the first time. The event was not publicised, it was one day and it was peeing down with rain. LOTS of people turned up. A few thousand. They had to queue, in the rain, for up to four hours! We have done some promotion through the media and I have been out to some schools. We expect a few thousand but we have planned for 10 000!
Seeing these birds in person is a big deal.
The kakapo is the world's heaviest parrot.
It is the only flightless parrot.
It is the only nocturnal parrot.
They are only found in NZ and these days only on two small offshore islands way way down in the southern parts of NZ.
They are the slowest breeding parrots (only once every two-four years) and the only parrots to use a lek and bowl mating system.
In 1995 only 51 of these birds existed.
This year there are 91 thanks to the hand rearing, here in Nelson, of the six surviving chicks hatched over easter (one died soon after arriving in Nelson from respiratory illness).

They are amazing birds. Parrots are very intelligent - this is shown in the kakapo through their playful nature and curiousity. They each have an easily recognizable personality.
They are my favourite bird. It has been a life goal to even see one and I have been SO lucky over hte past few months to have seen them three times up close, collect food for them and be part of the planning and running of this amazing event to share them with the public.
On the one hand I hope lots of people turn up for this opportunity because even the four full time staff on Whenua Hou only see the birds a few times a year!
On the other hand I hope not many turn up so I can go and look at them lots instead of being stuck outside looking after all our guests!!

In any case.. it is HUGELY exciting for Shine!!