Tiritiri Matangi Island

After a beautiful sunrise and thanks to the great bus driver that took us to the Hauraki Gulf ferry terminal we were on our way to Tiritiri Matangi Island, a bird sanctuary island that was replanted 30 years ago by volunteers and is an amazing place to see many rare birds and hear about the conservation efforts to preserve and regenerate many endangered species.  We took a tour guided by Chris, who was a great guide and very knowledgeable about how the island got to it's current state.  The differences between the 6% or the islands original forest vs the replanting that has taken place leaves you wondering and amazed at what land would actually be like naturally.  Birds nesting at heights not far off the ground safely.  Saddle backs doing their thing on the ground, the stitch birds and the bell birds all putting on busy displays.  The Tui's singing and the amazing Takahe, which we were lucky to spot, there are only around 300 off these left in the world, so felt very privileged to see a pair.  After our tour and walk for a few hours we sat and listened to the chorus it was just fantastic.  Would love to stay the night sometime and hear and see the kiwis.  Maybe another time.