Attention Birders, Listers and Twitchers (or anybody interested in New Zealand native wildlife and a nice walk in the New Zealand bush). The Rotorua region is a New Zealand birding Hotspot with a number of notable endemic and native bird species living locally. They’re easily accessible and there’s a better than 90% chance of getting up to a dozen Lifers for our international guests. So bring your binoculars, camera, scope and hiking boots, we’ll supply the locations, guides, transport and the check list.

Endemics: NZ Falcon, Kokako, Saddleback, Kiwi, Scaup, Grey Duck, Fantail, Bellbird, Tui, Tomtit, Whitehead, Grey Warbler, North Island Robin, Kingfisher, Kereru (NZ wood pigeon), Weka, Black Billed Gull, NZ Dabchick, Paradise Shelduck.

Natives: Silvereye, Shinning Cuckoo, Welcome Swallow, Southern Black Gull, Red Billed Gull, Eurasian Coot, Pied Stilt, Spur Winged Plover, Pukeko and several species of Shag (Cormorants),

There are also good numbers of the usual introduced European passerines, finches, thrush, blackbirds, European sparrow, starling, and the Asian Mynah.

There are three separate accompanying persons’ options to choose from which include some birding options: the first location is Rainbow Springs (included on Day two, Monday 18 November) which houses the nocturnal Kiwi, New Zealand’s native bird. Rainbow Springs (www.rainbowsprings.co.nz) is set in 22 hectares of native trees and streams and home to a huge variety of New Zealand’s most precious inhabitants.

The second birder specific option is the Wingspan Birds of Prey trip (included on Day four, Wednesday 20 November) where you will be thrilled watching the falconers practise their 4000 year old art. There are only six licensed falconers in NZ and they all work at Wingspan (www.wingspan.co.nz). Along with their work rehabilitating injured rare NZ Falcons, the complex is also home to a number of other interesting raptors, the Australasian Harrier, an Australian Barn Owl vagrant, and a couple of NZ Moreporks (native owl).

The third tour that includes a close up view of birds is the Mokoia Island trip included on Day five, Thursday 21 November, (www.mokoiaisland.co.nz). This takes us to a protected predator free island sanctuary in the middle of Lake Rotorua. We’ll be visiting at an ideal time, November is right in the middle of the NZ spring season when the birds will be establishing their territories, finding mates and building their nests. It’ll be a busy, lively and noisy time. The rare endangered Saddlebacks are especially plentiful and confiding on Mokoia. They, and iconic NZ honey-eater the Tui, will be showing off and announcing their presence loud and clear! They’re the Pavarotti’s of the NZ bush birds, and Mokoia is one of the best places in NZ to enjoy these beautiful and gregarious birds. T