About a dozen young Rangers for a Day kept their noses to the ground and eyes skyward for the Birds, Birds, Birds holiday programme at Pukaha Mt Bruce yesterday.
Susie Everitt, Pukaha Mt Bruce visitor experience guide, said the corps of rangers, who were aged from six to nine, were one of the first age-graded groups of holiday visitors to the nationally renowned Wairarapa wildlife centre.
Mrs Everitt said 10 to 13-year-old visitors will take their turn as rangers and would complete a flora and fauna excursion at the centre today, with the balance of the holidays split into younger rangers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and senior groups on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The junior group on Friday focused on the feathered residents at Pukaha, their day including the feeding of apples to a pair of male takahe called Bud and Natural, a visit to the nocturnal house to see Manukura the white kiwi burrowing for a meal, and Kahurangi the wolf-whistling kokako among an eclectic flock of other native birds.
The group also enjoyed an al fresco lunch, Mrs Everitt said, and a steady flow of fun facts and information throughout their time at the centre.
