Fledging time for our local birds

This time of year, tui fledglings seem to be everywhere and, harder to see, fledging fantails and grey warblers. This is a positive sign that we have a very successful rat and possum control programme that has been running since 2016 over the whole thirty hectares of Mangaiti Gully. Here is a video clip of a very young fledging tui (note the yellow still evident at the base of its beak) which was recorded by Tony Grey. It is surprising that it is foraging so well by itself and not relaying on it’s parents. The other video clip is of a fledging tui still learning to sing. The audio is not strong so you will need to turn up the volume on your device to full.