With its lush landscapes and vibrant birdlife, Waiheke Island is a paradise for nature lovers. However, one silent threat looms over our feathered friends: window strike/glass collision.

After days of torrential rain, stepping outside into the bush is so rewarding. The track slides beneath my boots, slick with mud a loose gravel.

South Georgia Island, 9423 kilometres from our motu, Waiheke Island. A world away from each other, with the white, sandy beaches of Waiheke and the snow-capped peaks of South Georgia.

— Written by Charlie Thomas, Te Korowai o Waiheke Team Member

As November rolls around, spring is well and truly underway. For me, this month is full of quiet mornings in the bush, counting birds.

Spreading over more than one million hectares, the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf are home to many special islands - from the iconic dome of Rangitoto to the island sanctuary of Tiritiri Matangi - each island has its own fascinating history and distinctive natural beauty.

Te Korowai o Waiheke is a charitable trust established by the local community to eradicate predators from the beautiful Waiheke Island. The first stage of the project is a stoat eradication island-wide.

In this latest series - Extinct Species (Wish You Were Here) - Te Korowai o Waiheke pays homage to some of the extraordinary species that once graced Aotearoa, but were tragically lost largely due to the introduction of mammalian predators.

It’s another cold morning in the bush, I sling my pack to the ground and take a moment for a drink and a bite to eat beneath a canopy of gently swaying kanuka.