"It was when a wild Kaka parrot landed on my head with a flutter and proceeded to share my sandwhich that I realised New Zealand's birds are not like ours. Birdwatching in Britain is normally reduced to a glimpse of the cowardly little sods legging it, or speeding off into the foliage. Or it is when I do it. Here in God's own country of New Zealand the birding is superior quality."