A very important part of Sirocco’s current daily routine on Ulva Island was a health check to make sure he’s in top condition for his display.

His minder, Karin, checked his feathers for any signs of stress (stress shows up as ‘bars’ or breaks across a feather),

Feather check

checked his beak and nostrils were clear,

Say "ahhhhhh"

looked at his feet and ensured there were no cuts or abrasions,

This little piggie ...

checked his transmitter was nice and secure and not rubbing under his feathered armpits

Checking the transmitter location

and weighed him to ensure he’s maintaining or putting on weight – on Saturday he weighed in at 2.42kg, up from 2.24kg the previous week which is great progress as he’s a bit on the light side at the moment

Sirocco's daily weigh-in

and finally because Sirocco has a few mites he was given a dusting of Frontline – it’s not unusual for parrots to get mites and pesky critters,  they’re not difficult to treat but he didn’t seem too impressed by this type of attention

A 'not-terribly-impressed' kakapo

At the end of the routine he was rewarded with a special treat, this time it’s seedless green grapes and of course always more than one …

The kind of attention Sirocco prefers

Being the laid-backed parrot he is, Sirocco took his daily physical all in his stride and carried on hanging out with Karin as she checked his pen.

Sirocco keeps a watchful eye from his favourite tree

Sirocco sticks close to Karin

I was fortunate enough to spend some time in the company of Sirocco the kakapo on Ulva Island.

It was my first encounter with the big green budgie of love and before meeting this endangered bird I went through an elaborate quarantine procedure that started at home two days before departure.

Washing all of my “on-island” clothes and shoes with a special disinfectant was the first step of preparation.  The second step occurred on the island when I donned a fetching disinfected boiler suit and gum boots.  After medi-wiping my hands and camera equipment I moved into the race, a pathway separating Sirocco’s display pen from his chill-out pad. 

Karin, Sirocco’s Ulva Island minder, stopped me in my tracks … before proceeding further I was required to wear a disinfected fleecy hat … but it wasn’t cold.  “It’s not to keep your head warm,” Karin explained with a smile, “But to protect your head from Sirocco’s enthusiasm for all things human!”

Ah-ha.

Sirocco heard his visitors’ arrival long before we arrived at his door, I could hear him scrabbling for a beak-hold in an attempt to break free of his solitary confines and join the company of his adoring humans.

As Karin soothed him with her kakapo-whispering the anticipation was building; my hands were clammy, my breath shallow, butterflies rode rollercoasters in my stomach.  Would it be everything I had hoped for?  Would he be disappointed?  Would he reject me in favour of his existing human, Karin?

Then there was The Moment.  The Moment his door opened and we met face to beak for the first time.  The Moment I met the most famous of the remaining critically endangered kakapo.

It was reciprocal love at first sight.

I was not disappointed – clearly he wasn’t either as he charged past Karin, making a bee-line for my gum boot, settling himself down on my foot with a sigh and a look of piqued curiosity.

And so we meet

As I sank to my knees he hopped on my leg, his large dextrous feet gripping tightly as he climbed pigeon-toed into my lap for a closer look.

Gripped by a kakapo

The green whiskered face peered closely. I was being inspected by a rare parrot.

You are being inspected by a rare parrot

After what felt like several minutes, but in reality was only seconds, I had been pronounced acceptable and Sirocco plopped to the ground in search of treats from Karin; when not driven by insatiable desire for company he’s satisfying his insatiable appetite for grapes.

The romance continued with sneaky kisses, attempts to unzip my offending boiler suit and snuggling up for a bit of feather- to-cheek whenever possible. 

Sneaky kakapo kiss

Zip goes down ...

Our time was all too brief, but I left after two days with Sirocco’s well-deserved reputation intact. 

You couldn't call him shy

He is not only the most famous of his kind, but the most amorous and quite unfussy about who’s on the receiving end of his affection; I’m too in love to care about his infidelity – the affections of Sirocco deserve to be shared.

See more photos of Sirocco on Flickr.

Being the last time I checked my watch last night. Yes, friends, it’s official: Patrick is trying to do me in, and this time he nearly succeeded.

In an attempt to make it up to me (he can’t), he forwarded this post, which introduces three tracks by The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble. Great stuff. The comparisons to Portishead are sound. Go listen. And call the cops.

One of the little known facts about kakapo is, compared to the size of the bird, they deliver huge poos!

Kakapoop in the undergrowth

Sirocco’s kakapoop can weigh 40 grams so even though he seems to be putting on weight any gain can be lost quite quickly.  But to ensure there’s no cause for concern his weight is recorded every day as part of his health check routine. 

Recording Sirocco's weight

Karin, Sirocco’s minder on Ulva Island, has the wonderful job of collecting kakapoop to be weighed and tested for parasites or abnormalities.  It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it! 

Bagged kakapoop

Interestingly kakapoop smells like pine and fresh leaves, it’s certainly not offensive, although the scent isn’t likely to be hitting the perfume stores any time soon.  Karin can get a little over-enthusiastic about this part of her job … but she is a bird nut so we can forgive her indulgences … 

Eau de kakapoop

We think Sirocco’s quite amused by Karin’s dedication to kakapoop collection … 

Sirocco and Karin

Ain’t it always the way? The moment you get famous someone drags out the baby photos.

Here’s Sirocco when he was 14 days old. The photo was taken on Codfish Island, on 6 April 1997, and Sirocco weighed 185 grams.

Sirocco the kakapo - a handful even at 14 days

This photo shows Sirocco when he was 38 days old, being treated for a respiratory ailment. The machine attached to his “bubble” is a nebuliser, which delivers medicine as a fine mist.

Sirocco the Bubble Boy

A slightly forlorn-looking Sirocco waits to be enclosed in the plastic bubble with his nebuliser.

Sirocco gets set up with his nebuliser

You’ll find more photos of Sirocco on Flickr.

The online world is pretty new to DOC staff, but this week we saw how quickly things can blow up – in a remarkable and positive way!

It started a few days ago, when BBC aired the episode of their new series “Last Chance to See” which featured our favourite kakapo, Sirocco. In fact, what  REALLY caught people’s interest, was when Sirocco got a bit ‘up close and personal’ with presenter Mark Cawardine. 650 000 Youtube hits later – and New Zealand’s very own kakapo had been catapulted into the international spotlight.

Within a matter of hours after Sirocco’s starring perfomance on “Last Chance to See”, his Facebook page jumped by another 750 friends, and now boasts 2500 online ‘friends’ who are besotted with kakapo and what we do to look after them here in New Zealand. 

Department of Conservation staff have been amazed by the response that viewers of the BBC programme, starring Stephen Fry and Mark Cawardine, has evoked from the British public. This morning, Sirocco’s antics even featured in “The Sun” newspaper in the UK. 

The show “Last Chance to See” is a remake of the series that the late Douglas Adams and Mark Cawardine recorded for radio and published a book on in 1990.

Many of the comments posted on Sirocco’s rapidly growing Facebook page send words of support and encouragement to kākāpō recovery as well as many offers of donations to continue to increase the survival of the kākāpō.

I’ve been acting a wee bit as Sirocco’s “publicist” during this time (he couldn’t keep up with all the media interest on his own!) - and we decided that he could definitely benefit from having a Twitter account. So, yesterday, to celebrate the amazing response we have had, we launched a Twitter account for him http://www.twitter.com/SiroccoKakapo (it’s case-sensitive i think too). 

When I last checked his Twitter account this afternoon – I found that more than 1500 people are now following his regular Tweets (he prefers to call them “Skraaarks”) which are all about kakapo conservation in New Zealand. We’d love for you to join up to follow him too – so by all means, get on twitter, and I’ll make sure Sirocco sends out plenty of relevant kakapo information.

What I think is really cool about all of this is that it reminds us that while we may not have megafauna such as lions, tigers or bears in New Zealand – our charismatic, unique and special wildlife is of great interest to people around the world.

And the neat thing about using all of this social media palava, is that we can connect with people all over the world, who are showing a genuine interest in the conservation of our precious native wildlife. That is, they’re not just seeing the Youtube video and having a giggle (although how could you not!?), but they are also taking the time to reach out via the internet to find out A) more about kakapo and B) what they might be able to do to help the species.  This is an amazing situation – and one we are watching with great interest!

I thought i’d finish up by posting one of the HUNDREDS of messages that people have posted on Twitter and Facebook, from a lady called Leia in the UK.

“I too saw you on “Last chance to see” all the way over in Wales, UK, what a star you are I hope you and your kind are around for many more years to come and that there’ll always be lovely and dedicated people around to help you out “

It makes me real proud to be a kiwi (or should i say kakapo today!?) when people around the world are looking at how we do conservation in little old Aotearoa.

Sirocco the superstar and his 'publicist' in quieter times... he sure does keep me busy!

NZ on Screen have just put together the Nature Collection. It’s Peter Hayden’s handpicked selection of classic Natural History New Zealand documentaries (free, online and on-demand – nice one NZ on Screen).

Checking out these docos brought home to me the way our national identity is locked into our natural identity. And it’s not just how we think about ourselves either, it’s how the rest of the world thinks of us.

Just as Lord of the Rings made movie stars of our natural locations, these documentaries, and the native wonders starring in them,  have helped create the 100% Pure NZ brand and all the tourism dollars that pulls in.

So with conservation superstars like Sirocco the kakapo (and his misplaced affections) bringing in all this moolah, my question is this: who’s his agent, and what percentage are they getting?

Conservation superstar Sirocco

観て！この人大変そう！

おじちゃんがアーォ、アーォ！って何度も言ってるのに、周りのみんなは鳥が可笑しいあまり「あ、痛いんだよね」って気づくまでしばらく放置です。

この鳥、siroccoという名のフクロウオウム（英語でkakapoだって！かわいい！）だそうです。オウム類で一番デブのわりに羽が小さくて飛べません。

Sirocco’s visit to Auckland Zoo is a team event

Conservation Week is definitely a celebration of the amazing partnerships networking throughout New Zealand to ensure the preservation of NZ’s  natural and historic heritage.

Sirocco at Auckland Zoo. Photo: Auckland Zoo

‘Get involved …and who knows’ is certainly the mantra of Sirocco the kakapo’s visit to Auckland Zoo, September 14th – 23^rd. With a small window of opportunity opening in Sirocco’s busy advocacy calendar before his encounters on Ulva Island Trust  the spark of an idea to introduce him to Auckland ignited in DOC National Office. This naturally flowed on to discussions with the DOC Southern Islands Area kakapo team, Auckland Conservancy, Auckland Zoo, Auckland Area and sponsor partners Rio Tinto and Forest and Bird.

 A six week flurry of activity followed involving iwi, bio-security, permitting, travel, housing, staffing, programme development and marketing. Auckland Zoo designed and purpose-built  3m x 6m recreation of the Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) night bush environment.  Kakapo interpretation was gathered from throughout NZ and displayed along with DVD presentations, zoo keeper and DOC ranger talks about all things kakapo and other NZ endangered species breeding programmes.

Ranger Jo Ledington with Sirocco. Photo: Auckland Zoo

With DOC Southern Islands Area kakapo team’s support ranger Jo Ledington travelled with Sirocco to ensure his welfare throughout the programme. 

Sirocco has tucked Campbell Live, TVNZ Breakfast, the NZ Herald and the Auckland City Scene firmly under his wing in his staunch advocacy for his species. So far 300 Aucklanders have visited Sirocco each night, with some travellers coming from Wellington, Christchurch and Tauranga to see him.

Zoo staff, DOC staff and energetic zoo volunteers have helped the population of Auckland not only meet this wonderful character but also learn about the recovery of kakapo and the celebration of all things conservation!

Hi all,

It’s a bit hard on the ego being upstaged by a parrot – even a parrot as beautiful and rare as Sirocco! Here I was thinking that I was a sort of DOC VIP, what with the Meet the Locals TV show and such, but a quick google around reveals that I am a mere speck in the universe compared to our true conservation ambassador – Sirocco the kakapo.  He’s on youtube, he has his own Facebook profile page, there are currently billboards featuring his big beautiful face around Auckland City right now, and today I found an article on him in the Guardian paper in the UK!!! (you have to scroll down to the “Man-eating parrot” subtitle!).

Sirocco  is one of 124 kakapo remaining in the world. He is a very special bird, and developed his penchant for people after being hand-raised as a chick due to a chest infection 12 years ago. This led to him becoming very fond of humans (more fond of them than kakapo so far!), and as such, Sirocco has become an excellent advocate for conservation in NZ.  Sirocco is renowned for his antics down on Whenua Hou, where his bowl (male kakapo create elaborate ‘track and bowl’ systems to attract females) is situated behind the Sealer’s Bay hut on the way to the toilet!  The funniest story I heard about him was when he joined one of our ranger’s families who were jumping off a jetty and swimming – not wanting to be left out, Sirocco made a running leap off the jetty into the ocean! ‘turns out kakapo can swim! (you can see a video of our ranger telling that story here)

The saddest thing I ever learned about kakapo was that they used to be one of NZ’s most common birds – found all over this country. Unfortunately hunting, habitat destruction and introduced predators took their toll on the kakapo -reducing their numbers to just 50 by 1995. Thanks to the commitment and dedication of the Kakapo Recovery Programme, the thousands of volunteers, scientists, rangers, vets and sponsors – kakapo are now back over 100. This year, beyond all expectations, 33 chicks survived (26 of whom were captive-raised in Invercargill!), and six years from now when these birds start to breed – it may give these amazing birds just the boost they need to thrive again one day.

Anyway, Sirocco will be visiting Auckland Zoo from September 14th-23rd to help celebrate Conservation Week and tell the story of one of our greatest conservation challenges. We’d LOVE to see you there. for more info and ticket bookings, please visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/kakapo and http://www.conservationweek.org.nz/

Having met Sirocco a few times now – i can honestly say that a real-life encounter with these birds (even a hard-case one like Sirocco!) is a life-changing experience. I would recommend for all of you in Auckland during this time to take the chance to meet this amazing icon of our natural heritage. Look forward to seeing you there!

Early the other morning as I was driving down to the Mrs.’ place, NPR was my travel companion as is the norm.  A story came on that instantly brought tears to my eyes and I had to really concentrate on staying on the road because I couldn’t see.  It was about summer nights in Spain.

There were a million things that flooded my mind – the first being a popular word play that pokes fun of the two seasons in Spain: invierno (winter) and infierno (hell). Sirocco winds blowing off the Sahara desert during these months would make it feel as if we had moved into a convection oven.

Air conditioning was a luxury that was never part of any of our living situations.  Persianas are plastic or metal horizontal slats mounted outside the windows which could be lowered completely to black out all light or left part way up allowing some airflow. These were lifesavers.  I always loved the polka dot shadows they cast on the walls or the clacking sound they’d make with the slightest breeze.  Especially during these weeks of July, the white noise commentary of the Tour filled dark rooms on suffocating afternoons.  Everyone would move at a snail’s pace so as not to expend unnecessary energy.

It wasn’t until after 8 p.m. that the sun’s arc would be at a tolerable degree in the sky so as to not singe our eyebrows. The persianas would be rolled up letting in any smidgen of breeze.  Little by little the streets came alive.  The darker it got outside – the more people would be on the streets.

Nights that Best Boy and Shop Girl would still be out playing hide-and-go seek or some other foolishness at midnight were the norm.  It was no cause for worry.  It wasn’t dangerous.  No one was going to call Child Protective Services on us.  Half the population of the pueblo was out on the streets soaking in whatever cool the darkness afforded.

Mornings were quiet – given everyone’s love of pushing the envelope on the circadian rhythm thing.  Maybe that pattern really resonated with my ruling planet being the Moon and I got stuck in the cycle. Here so many years later I’d still rather be awake at 2 a.m. and sound asleep till just before noon.

But I don’t live there any more.  Nor do I live in a neighborhood that I’d let my young kids play outside at midnight.  I learned a long time ago that it was wasted energy to pine away for where I’m NOT.  It’s best for me to recognize the good and the bad in each place – see its uniqueness and live in the space that I am physically present in at the time.  Being bi-cultural means embracing the tension.  Easier said than done.

When I was in Spain, I missed the four distinct seasons of the Midwest.  Surviving the rabbit hole winters here in Michigan makes me long for the Mediterranean light.  The acrid smell of scorched earth during the drought month of August in Spain would make me fantasize about standing out in a raging thunderstorm along the shores of Lake Michigan.  And now – one of these nights where a blast of Canadian chill makes for what is referred to as “good sleeping weather” here makes me think of those days when I’d roll around toasting like a corn dog in bed all night long in Madrid.

The best part of experiencing culture is the part that you do when you are viewing it from a distance.  I have journals filled with all the frustration I was really feeling on so many levels during those days – but now all it takes to turn me to mush is to remind me of all the things I took for granted.  So my Catch 22 is winter or hell…hell or winter…or hell, why not winter?  Two more months till Fall.

Worlds top ten rooftop bars –  and I have eaten at one of them  - the number one, one, Sirocco, Bangkok Thailand. what great taste I have

And, check out these websites for more infomation about Thailand and Thai Airways

http://www.tourismthailand.org/ www.thaiair.com/

Read what another travel writer Martin Sykes wrote about Sirroco the night we were there in February this year

photo by simonparisphotograph y

1. Sirocco

Bangkok, Thailand

No night out in Bangkok is complete without a couple cocktails at Sirocco. Perched on top of The Dome at State Tower, 64th floors above the hectic streets of Bangkok, this sexy rooftop bar boasts 360 degree views of the city with city lights in every direction, as far as the eye can see. If you’re looking for a picturesque place to dine, they also serve dinner.

The Dome at State Tower 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

R8

VW SIROCCO

Pastel purple is the color of Spring. Pastel purple makes me think of Easter
and for me, Easter is the beginning of Spring.
Paul C (Sirocco)
http://www.sirocco.etsy.com

When I think of Spring, I think of PINK!! :0)
Tammy L Sexton
http://tlsexton0913.etsy.com/

Green, because everything (especially the grass) is coming to life.
Debbie B

“It’s a Bead-iful World”

http://beadifulworld.etsy.com

Pastel colors (any of them especially when mixed together)
www.metaphysicalshoppe.etsy.com

Check out these little Gems. Did you ever think you’d see a racing SAAB 9-3? An the new VW Sirocco both are running on BioFuels. This is just cool

Hope you enjoy it.

Photographers are many. Music is by Gomez, “How we Operate.”

Through my Cellar 46 connection (thanks, Ryan!), I was lucky enough to be invited to a McCrea Cellars tasting at the home of Susan Neel, the Marketing & Sales Director for the winery. Doug McCrea was an early pioneer for Rhone varietals (e.g. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier, Roussanne) in Washington state, and he continues to use his partnerships with growers to remain on the bleeding edge of innovation for Rhone grapes. Where else in the state can you find wines made from Grenache Blanc or Picpoul?

Before we get to the tasting notes, it’s worth noting that I was tasting and scribbling at a pretty fast clip, so these wines were not evaluated with the same rigor that I normally try to bring to the table. Now, onto the notes:

Rating: NR

2007 McCrea Viognier Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($22)

2007 McCrea Roussanne Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($22). Served too cold for proper evaluation.

NV McCrea Vin Rosé Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($18 )

2005 McCrea Syrah Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($44). Tightly wound and tannic right now, but if the 1999 version is any indication, this will soar in a few years.

Rating: 3

2007 McCrea Grenache Blanc Boushey Vineyard ($32). Floral nose followed by a mouthful of creamy marshmallows. I would have liked a bit more acid.

2007 McCrea Grenache ($32). Nose of meat and red fruit. On the palate, spicy red fruit, nice acid, good back-end tannins. Might be a little young still; this will be an interesting one to keep an eye on.

2007 McCrea Mourvedre Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($28). Lots of beef on the nose and in the mouth. This is a hearty, tannic beast that either needs a few years in the cellar, a few hours in the decanter, or a few bowls of stew to pair with.

2005 McCrea Syrah Amerique ($40). This is McCrea’s homage to Aussie-style Shiraz. Lots of baking spices on the nose, followed by more spice and berries on the palate. The addition of 23% Mourvedre adds some tannic heft, and this too could use another year or two.

Rating: 4

2007 McCrea Sirocco Blanc ($25). An intriguing, Chateauneuf-du-Pape-style blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Picpoul, and Roussanne. On the nose, steel and toasted nuts. The palate is all crushed gravel and beautifully acidic minerality. This is absolutely lovely.

2006 McCrea Counoise ($28). This is a grape that is more frequently used as a blending agent than bottled varietally, but I thought this bottle was delicious. A nose of grilled herbs and red berries, and a really soft mouthfeel with rich red fruit and bright acid.

2005 McCrea Sirocco ($32). A wonderful blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, and Counoise. Nose of candied cherries, and once in the mouth, incredible balance of lively acidity and chalky tannins carrying waves of red fruit.

2006 McCrea Syrah ($25). This is McCrea’s least expensive Syrah, and it’s a great value. Nice hints of earth on the nose (most likely from the Boushey fruit), and then a silky mouthfeel that is unusual for Syrah. Delicious dark fruit.

2005 McCrea Syrah Boushey Grand Cote Vineyard ($44). As usual, Boushey Syrah makes my head spin. The nose is like digging a hole in the ground and then climbing in, and the palate is iron-clad cherries. Remarkable stuff, and my favorite bottle of the day.

2004 McCrea Syrah Cuvee Orleans ($50). McCrea makes the Boushey Syrah and the Ciel du Cheval Syrah, but his flagship is the Cuvee Orleans, which attempts to blend the best juice from both vineyards. I had previously tasted and loved the 2003 version of this, and the ‘04 is very similar. The nose is so seductive, with stewed plums and blackberries, and hints of pie spices. The palate delivers exactly what the nose promises, with dark, rich, spicy fruit. This is best savored on its own; save the food for another time.

1999 McCrea Syrah Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (N/A). The McCrea folks were nice enough to pull this bottle out of their library, and for me, this was an amazing opportunity. I had already tasted the 2005 version at this point and found it completely shut down, tannic, and ungenerous. So it was remarkable to see what some cellar age can do. Alluring nose of black tea, orange rind, and peaches. On the palate, more black tea and raspberries, with hints of cardamom and a nectarine finish. Excellent!