West Coast Fern Fieldwork 2012, 6 – animal miscellany

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Here are a few, token animal photos to finish this account of our fieldwork.

South Island fernbird, Bowdleria punctata punctata, in manuka bordering tangle fern (Gleichenia)-dominated pakihi near Westport. This was the first fernbird I have ever seen/noticed, but we saw/heard several others elsewhere during our trip. Unfortunately my camera is optimised for close-ups (since plants don’t run away), and has a terrible zoom – hence this blurry picture. Photo Leon Perrie. © Te Papa.
A western weka, Gallirallus australis australis, making a mess of DOC’s lawn. Enchanting birds, but somewhat of a road hazard, and evidently careless gardeners. Tauranga Bay, Cape Foulwind, near Westport. Photo Leon Perrie. © Te Papa.
c. 10 cm long slug, Stockton. I nearly stepped on it during my excitement of finding a couple of uncommon ferns. The slug’s impressive size was enough to distract me from the ferns, momentarily. Photo Leon Perrie. © Te Papa.
Mammals impersonating slugs – seals at Tauranga Bay, Cape Foulwind, near Westport. Photo Leon Perrie. © Te Papa.
South Island robins, Petroica australis australis, are regular companions during forest walks in many parts of the South Island. Photo Leon Perrie. © Te Papa.

Other blog posts about our West Coast fern fieldwork cover:

What we were doing.

Where we went.

Sticherus (umbrella ferns).

New, problematic, and interesting species.

Favourite photos.

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Botany Curator
I specialise in the taxonomy (i.e., naming) and evolution of New Zealand’s ferns, often using DNA analyses to address issues that can’t be resolved by consideration of the external features of the plants alone. I enjoy exploring new places, even if it is only to see plants I’ve never before encountered in the wild!

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