South Island Robin

We went ashore on Pigeon Island to see where Richard Henry  an early conservationist had lived.  This delightful little bird hopped along behind us.  The island is now predator free and the amount of bird song was noticeable.  Henry was very interested in our flightless birds and he pioneered capture techniques, experimenting with dogs and nets. He also proved that with the right conditions birds could survive relocation to island sanctuaries.  In the extra is the remains of the punga bird pen where he kept Kakapo.  He began this work in 1894 and unfortunately by 1900 stoats had reached his island and that was the end of his Kakapo.