Go batty this summer

Discover the mysteries of the rainforest at dusk and the nightlife below the forest canopy on a Waitakere Ranges bat walk this summer.

Park ranger Dennis Badan says Cascade Kauri is one of the few places Aucklanders have the opportunity to spot a long-tailed bat.

“The quick flying antics of these nocturnal creatures can make them tricky to see, so patience and good eyesight are a must!

“Dusk is the perfect time to spot a bat as they head out into the night to feed on moths, beetles and other small insects. The long-tail bat also spends every night in a different roost, transporting its young with it each night,” he says.

A ranger escorts the walks, taking groups into the bush once darkness falls to search for the creatures that inhabit the forest and streams of this unique area, including glowworms, koura (freshwater crayfish) and puriri moths.

Bat walks are held on Mondays and Wednesdays in January (4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23 and 25 January) and start at around 8.15pm, depending on when darkness falls. The walks start with a ranger talk at Cascade Kauri car park at the end of Falls Road, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, and last for around two hours.

Bookings are essential – contact the Arataki Visitor Centre on 09 817 0089 or the Auckland Council on 09 301 0101 to book. Numbers are limited to 25 per walk and book up fast. The cost of the walks is $5 for adults, $2 for children and $12 for a family pass, including two adults and two children.

For more information about the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz