West Coast weka have moved across the Main Divide for the first time in about 80 years, and some are now living in Arthur's Pass.
A former conservation ranger who lives in the village says two attempts to introduce the weka to the area since the 1960s failed, and these birds arrived of their own accord.
The weka are descendants of birds living in the Inangahua region, which were used to re-populate another part of the West Coast, the Taramakau Valley, 40 years ago.
They have slowly made their way across the Southern Alps and now up to eight of the indigenous birds are living in Arthur's Pass.
John Charles, a retired ranger, believes that may be due to the success of a local kiwi recovery programme.
Volunteers have been trapping stoats and weasels for the past few years, making the area easier for kiwi to survive in, and apparently enticing other native birds too.
Volunteer Graeme Kates believes the trapping has helped other birds prosper, including South Island bush robin which he says are back in the village for the first time in 30 years, and tui which are wintering over in the forest.
