Jill Hedgecock will share photos from her hiking and birding adventures in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Come experience the wonders of Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a trek that takes adventurous souls over an active volcano and which has been described as the best one-day trek in New Zealand. This hike also has the distinction of requiring the highest number of search and rescues! On the South Island, the 20+ mile, three-day Routeburn Great Walk offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains, mirrored lakes, and flowing turquoise water. Sections of this hike are so pristine that unfiltered water is safe to drink. New Zealand’s birding opportunities did not disappoint. Photos of iridescent wood pigeons, the endemic takahe, little blue penguins, and mischievous kea parrots (the only alpine parrot in the world) will be shared.

Jill Hedgecock, who has spoken on topics from rhino conservation, microplastics, and falconry in Scotland, returns to share more of her international travels with the Mount Diablo Bird Alliance. She has a M.S. degree in Environmental Management. She previously served as the International Conservation Coordinator for the club back in the early 1990s and was a long-term leader of the Black Diamond Mine Christmas Count circle.