Belle

Fledgling female Belle was caught and banded on Sunday the 18th of August 2019 at Monkey Creek in Fiordland National Park. Belle was one of many kea drawn to this popular spot on a fine winter’s morning. Perhaps she saw the gathering of kea down far below or something shiny and colourful that grabbed her interest from a perch high on the ridge leading to Mount Belle, from where her name comes. Who can say how far she had already flown and what wonders she had beheld as a young bird in such a majestic landscape? Despite her slender appearance, Belle is one of the feistiest kea that has been banded yet. She wriggled and writhed and seemed intent to be free as soon as could be. After moving her away from the sound of Milford Road traffic and with many assurances that she would soon be able to return to roam free in the high places once more, she settled enough to be weighed and banded. Finally, she was released, no worse for wear, to return from whence she came. Her strong spirit should serve her well in the steepest mountains of Fiordland. Keep a lookout for Belle in the Darran Mountains, along the Milford Road, and beyond!