miguel-mejias1987's Favorites

I spotted a beached-wrecked bird carcass while patrolling Muriwai Beach. My friend, Ariel Wijaya, who I was walking with when I spotted the bird, then delivered it to Ian Mclean of Birds of New Zealand. Photos were taken and reviewed, and the general consensus was Little Bronze Cuckoo. Small, reddish-brownish bird, with rufous, black, and white undertail coverts. The bird is currently at the Auckland Museum and will be prepared as a specimen. This bird is native to Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Australia. New record for New Zealand.

A moult of a Verrill's Hermit Crab found at the bottom of the sea pool. This was one of 2 I found today. Never seen them before during previous surveys. This suggest this species might have a specific moulting season. More observations needed.

Verrill's Hermit Crab (Calcinus verrillii) is endemic to Bermuda. Photos features the largest Verrill's I've ever seen, carrying a West Indian Top Shell (Cittarium pica). Its likely a large male. The shell was about 1 inch high and 1 inch wide. To my knowledge, this hermit crab has never been recorded carrying top shells before. This likely reflects how little these guys have been studied.

One of 10 individuals counted today; likely dozens more. Their numbers and activity has significantly increased since my October 2023 survey. This suggests individuals leave the shallow pools during the winter months, when the waters are cooler, and return from the main ocean with the warming waters of the summer. Endemic to Bermuda.

Walked out on the mudflats when the tide went out. A few dozen of them, along with other bird species, feeding on the mudflats. I believe it was the first NZ endemic I encountered during my 2-month stay.

Endemic bird to the island. I found this species to be quite difficult to photograph. I tended to hear it more than see it. Was fortunate to see a pair come out and vocalize in the open while I waited for the ferry. One of my favourite New Zealand endemics.

Endemic bird to the island. I found this species to be quite difficult to photograph. I tended to hear it more than see it. Was fortunate to see a pair come out and vocalize in the open while I waited for the ferry. One of my favourite New Zealand endemics.

Self-found Morepork (Ruru) roosting in a Silver Fern tree along the Wattle track. Was so happy to spot this bird after dipping on it the day before, and mere hours before having to board the ferry! My favourite New Zealand endemic, and, quite possibly, my new favourite bird.

Tuatara are the only surviving members of the order Sphenodontia, which once comprised many species during the age of the dinosaurs, some 200 million years ago. All species in Sphenodontia, except the tuatara, eventually became extinct about 60 million years ago.

There is beauty all around us...even on the necks of pigeons. The iridescent sheen on pigeons come from complex nanostructures of the feathers, which bend and refract light, such that the intensity of the colours changes with the viewing angle. These radiant colours were seemingly turned on and off, like a light switch, as the pigeon bobbed its head.

The only shell-dwelling Verrill's I saw today, despite seeing about a dozen during the summer days at same locality. This individual was noticeably less active as well. After taking this photo I placed it with shell opening flat on ground, swam off, only to return 30 mins later and the hermit crab hadn't moved from where I left it. Not as mobile/active as I've seen it in the summer. Similarly, I only spotted two individuals inside tube shells.

One of several individuals seen walking about. Many of the individuals sighted this day were very active (i.e., outside of their shells, walking about, feeding, and fighting with one another). About 15 individuals seen. Note severely broken shell.

One of several individuals seen walking about. Many of the individuals sighted this day were very active (i.e., outside of their shells, walking about, feeding, and fighting with one another). About 15 individuals seen.

Native species to the island. Performing a bioluminescent, mating ritual in shallow water underneath Ferry Reach foot bridge. Mating usually occurs in the summer months, 2-3 days after a full moon, and an hour after sunset. Only about 6 worms seen this evening...very low numbers, compared to past sightings. Might have to due with drastic decline in Turtle Grass (Thalassia testudinum), which provides refuges for these worms.

Rare vagrant to Bermuda. Saw it previous day and mistook it for a Great Blue. Note white on edges of folded wings, top of thighs, black neck streaking, lack of rusty colours (which Great Blue's have), and overall grey plumage.

The Hoary Leafcutter is silvery-grey and is the only leafcutting bee on the island. It straddles its leaf bit in its legs, while using their sharp, toothed mandibles to cut a neat semicircular piece of the leaf. They are quite and have a limited distribution around the island.

Photograph of the first natural nest burrow dug by breeding Bermuda Petrels in over 300 years! Most individuals in Bermuda nest in artificial nest burrows, but this natural burrow was found by Jeremy Madeiros on Nonsuch Island during the 2023 breeding season.