buff weka (Gallirallus australis hectori)

this subspecies of weka is extinct on New Zealand itself (where it was native to the east coast of the South Island) but it survives on the Chatham Islands to the east, where it was introduced in 1905. There were twelve birds in the original introduction, now there are an estimated 60,000 on the islands. Previous attempts to reintroduce this subspecies to New Zealand failed but recently some have been established on an island in Lake Wanaka near Queenstown. There are hopes for eventual mainland populations to be established.

This photo taken March 2011

I quite like this photo even if it is just a snap-shot with a point-and-shoot camera. Its quite a dark enclosure and very simple, just a jerry-rigged fence of chicken wire around a bit of spare hill. It could sure do with some ground-cover but its an alright size for the birds.

I never thought of that - it does look like a camera-trap photo!