Stopped in at Lake Elterwater, on my way up to the ferry on Sunday, and was
surprised to see 2 Great Crested Grebe. I see from the last atlas survey that
there were none seen this far north!

Cheers,
             Tony.


Tony Wilson and Carol Harker,
Manu Tours,
106 Ocean Beach Road,
Tairua 3508
New Zealand.
ph/fax 64 7 864 7475
Email: Manutours@...
Web: www.nzbirding.co.nz

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

While in Milford Sound, a week or so ago, I saw a pair of Weka with 2 chicks, in
the bus park at the terminal and 2 other adults around the cafe. This is the
first time, in 15 years of visits here, that I've seen Weka. Maybe all the
predator control is having results.

Cheers,
              Tony.


Tony Wilson and Carol Harker,
Manu Tours,
106 Ocean Beach Road,
Tairua 3508
New Zealand.
ph/fax 64 7 864 7475
Email: Manutours@...
Web: www.nzbirding.co.nz

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi all

A short pelagic was undertaken around the Muttonbird Islands in the
Patterson inlet between 10:30am and 1:30pm, species recorded:

40 NZ White-capped Albatross
1 Salvin's Albatross
50+ Snares Pintado Petrel
1 Northern Giant Petrel
1 Giant Petrel sp.
1 Sooty Shearwater
1 Fairy Prion
70+ Common Diving Petrel
3 Brown Skua
15 Blue Penguin

Best wishes
Erik Forsyth


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello BIRDING-NZ,

Brent Stephenson has posted an important post at BirdingNZ.net.

--------------------------------------------
Here's the text of the post:

Hi all,

A bit of birding late this afternoon in Hawkes Bay.  There was a large
number of gulls, terns and gannets feeding offshore from Haumoana and I saw
at least two Arctic skua chasing terns - a dark morph and an intermediate
morph.  Most of the feeding birds were a long way out so may have been more
around.

At least two turnstone and 25-30 banded dotterel at the Clive River mouth,
with several banded dotterel obviously nesting out on the beach as well.
There was what looked like about 100-150 white-fronted terns in a tight
group on the southern side of the river mouth up on the top of the beach,
and I assumed they were breeding.  However, they all got up and flew off
and when I investigated there was no sign of any nesting.  There were no
nesting terns/gulls at the Tukituki River mouth either (or anywhere along
the beach between).  In fact the only nesting gulls/terns I have seen this
season was a flock of approx 100 black-billed gulls on 19 Nov on the
Ngaruroro River at Mangatahi (4 nests with a single egg and c 28 partially
built nests).

The little egret was feeding with a white-faced heron in the Tukituki River
just below the main road bridge between Clive and Haumoana on 20 Nov.

Clients I took on a kiwi tour at Cape Kidnappers on 20 Nov said that
earlier in the week they had seen killer whales near Black Reef/Cape
Kidnappers.  They are unlikely to still be in Hawkes Bay, but worth keeping
a look out.

Cheers,
--------------------------------------------

You can use the following link to view and reply to the post:
http://www.birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=281&p=1164#p1164

Please note that email sent by reply to this message will not go to
BirdingNZ.net. Use the link above instead.

--
BirdingNZ.net

Hi Andrew,

According to BirdingNZ.net it hasn't been seen since 25 October, despite
people checking Bruce Pulman Park on Nov 6, Nov 8, and a thorough check
around BPP, Ardmore Airfield and nearby shore locations on 10 Nov.

Looks like it may have moved on.  I'm heading up that way on Friday and
will have a quick look at BPP.  If anybody else has seen it recently be
good to know.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Stephenson PhD (Ornithology)
Eco-Vista: Photography & Research + Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - "Great
birds, real birders"
PO Box 8291, Havelock North 4157, New Zealand
Phone +64 6 877 6388   Fax +64 6 877 6300   Cell +64 274 426 638
email brent@... or brent@...
web http://www.eco-vista.com and http://www.wrybill-tours.com


-----Original Message-----
From: BIRDING-NZ@yahoogroups.com [mailto:BIRDING-NZ@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Crossland, Andrew
Sent: Sunday, 22 November 2009 16:05
To: BIRDING-NZ@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] Has anyone seen the Franlklins Gull lately

Hi folks,

I'm heading up to Akl in early Dec and am wondering if anyone is still
keeping tabs on the Franklins Gull?

Cheers

Andrew Crossland

**********************************************************************
This electronic email and any files transmitted with it are intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed.

The views expressed in this message are those of the individual
sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Christchurch
City Council.

If you are not the correct recipient of this email please advise the
sender and delete.

Christchurch City Council
http://www.ccc.govt.nz
**********************************************************************




------------------------------------

BIRDING-NZ is moderated by Brent StephensonYahoo! Groups Links

While looking for a geocache at the N end of Lake Hawea on Nov. 11, my wife and
I had a courting pair of NZ Falcons.   He was trying to entice her with food. 
The birds were near the waterfall on the first stream on the dirt road off Route
6.  We've just returned home to the USA and now have email access.

Wavell Fogleman
Campton, NH USA

Hi folks,

I'm heading up to Akl in early Dec and am wondering if anyone is still
keeping tabs on the Franklins Gull?

Cheers

Andrew Crossland

**********************************************************************
This electronic email and any files transmitted with it are intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed.

The views expressed in this message are those of the individual
sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Christchurch
City Council.

If you are not the correct recipient of this email please advise the
sender and delete.

Christchurch City Council
http://www.ccc.govt.nz
**********************************************************************

Hello BIRDING-NZ,

Suzi has posted an important post at BirdingNZ.net.

--------------------------------------------
Here's the text of the post:

Hi there,

Visited Manukapua (Big Sand Island) on the Kaipara Harbour today with a
group of parents and kids.  We had an enjoyable time with a big flock of
about (!) 3000 BT Godwits and Knots, a smaller flock separate flock of
about 600 SIPO and small groups of Wrybill (3), Turnstone (28), NZ Dotts
(9) and Banded Dotts (2).  There were also Caspian Terns (32) and WF Terns
(40+), SBBG (18) and RBG (10+).  It was quite windy (sou-west) and partly
cloudy to sunny.

In the area with Turnstones, NZD, Wrybill and Banded Dotts, was this little
?Sandpiper.  It was mostly sitting near a single Turnstone and when sitting
appeared to have quite a white rump.  It has a short black bill and black
legs.  It appeared smaller than the Turnstone, but longer legs.  My best
guess from looking at the field guide, is a White-rumped Sandpiper, but I
see it is a rare Arctic vagrant, so it seems unlikely.  Could it be a
Red-necked Stint (non-breeding plumage) or a  Sanderling (though looked
longer legged than both in the FG picture) ?  Or other suggestions ?   It
seems too grey on the wings to be any of the other sandpipers illustrated,
(eg Terek or common) but I'm definitely not able to distinguish sandpipers
in the field yet (!).  Help !  <!-- s8-) --><img
src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="8-)" title="Cool" /><!-- s8-) -->

Suzi
--------------------------------------------

You can use the following link to view and reply to the post:
http://www.birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=279&p=1146#p1146

Please note that email sent by reply to this message will not go to
BirdingNZ.net. Use the link above instead.

--
BirdingNZ.net

Hello BIRDING-NZ,

Brent Stephenson has posted an important post at BirdingNZ.net.

--------------------------------------------
Here's the text of the post:

Sav is currently on tour and reports the long-staying Hudsonian godwit is
still present at Miranda.  Seen on the shellbanks on the morning of 20 Nov.

Cheers,
--------------------------------------------

You can use the following link to view and reply to the post:
http://www.birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=278&p=1145#p1145

Please note that email sent by reply to this message will not go to
BirdingNZ.net. Use the link above instead.

--
BirdingNZ.net

Just wondering if anyone has seen bittern on Stewart Island since 1985- as while
compiling the bittern database , for DOC, I have no recent records.
Thanks Peter

Hi all,

Forecast for this Sunday is for rough weather so trip is off. Either Sat 28th or
Sun 29th Nov is possible, will choose whichever suits most. Let me know if you
are interested.

Cheers,
Detlef
09 407 3874

Hi Everyone,

Tony would liked to report an Erect-crested Penguin at Taiaroa Heads.
He was on the Monarch Cruise and it can only be seen from the cruise. It has
been there for 3-4 days.

Cheers,
Carol.

Tony Wilson and Carol Harker,
Manu Tours,
106 Ocean Beach Road,
Tairua 3508
New Zealand.
ph/fax 64 7 864 7475
Email: Manutours@...
Web: www.nzbirding.co.nz

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

We completed our Southland November wader count last Saturday. Highlights were:

New River Estuary - Ian Southey/Gillian Vaughn
Godwit 1798 inc 18 juveniles
Knot 52
Turnstone 36
Stint 1
Golden Plover 2
They also spotted an Arctic Tern, this is the second time Ian has reported one
from here, he also picked up a dead specimen on Oreti Beach earlier in the week.

Cow Island - Wynston Cooper
Godwit - 433 (including 5 banded combos and 3 other birds with letter combos)
Turnstone 24
NZ Dotterel 10
Knot 6
Wynston also reported 3 Australasian Bittern during his count.

A recent beach patrol has also picked up numerous Short-tailed shearwaters
washed up along Southland beaches seems to be a smaller wreck of these birds. We
also found  16-18 Antarctic Fulmars and 7-8 Mollymawks. Constant Westerly winds
have resulted in a large number of birds being washed up. Other species washed
up were diving petrels; Sooty shearwaters; Broad-billed prion; Fairy prion; Blue
Petrel; Gannet and  Spotted Shag.
Phil Rhodes
Southland

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Watched fishing vessel Streaker steam past the north end of Mana Island
heading for port late afternoon 18 November (viewed from trig with 8x
binocs). The mixed flock of seabirds following included c. 20 Salvin's
mollymawks, 5 white-capped mollymawk, 8 northern giant petrels, 5 Westland
petrels and 100+ southern black-backed gulls.



Colin Miskelly





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi all

4 Dutch birders and I were watching a Stewart Island Brown Kiwi on the
outskirts of Oban last night and suddenly a Morepork landed on the a pole 5m
away. Must have been useing the torch beem to hunt moths!
A dead Sooty Shearwater was found at Deep Bay today and a SI Weka with a
silver band on it's left leg was seen at the edge of town. Weka are a scarce
site in Oban.
22 White-capped Albatross, a single Southern Buller's Albatross, 4 Cape
Pigeon, 5 Fiordland Penguin and 6 Blue Penguin were seen in Halfmoon Bay
yesterday. The albatrosses were hanging around fishing boats.

Best wishes
Erik Forsyth


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello BIRDING-NZ,

Suzi has posted an important post at BirdingNZ.net.

--------------------------------------------
Here's the text of the post:

Kaka still active in Ecology Bush.  A total of 47 species
bush/coastal/wetlands today as below, Suzi
(Dipped on Brown Kiwi, Grey-faced Petrel and Kakariki - as expected).

Australasian Gannet
Pied Shag (2)
Black Shag
White-faced Heron
Reef Heron
Paradise Shelduck (21)
Mallard (7)
Grey Duck (5)
Brown Teal
Australasian Harrier (2)
Pheasant (4)
California Quail (5)
Brown Quail (3)
Pukeko +++
Variable Oystercatcher (5)
Spur-winged Plover (3)
Pied Stilt (4)
NZ Dotterel (2)
Black-backed Gull (4)
Red-billed Gull (3)
Caspian Tern
Kereru (8)
Kaka (3)
Eastern Rosella (4)
Shining Cuckoo (3)
Morepork
Kingfisher (3)
Welcome Swallow (18)
Silvereye
Grey Warbler (3)
Blackbird (4)
Song Thrush (2)
Dunnock
Skylark
NZ Pipit
Whitehead (3)
Fantail (7)
NI Robin (5)
Tui (26)
Bellbird (14)
House Sparrow (6)
Chaffinch (3)
Goldfinch (2)
Yellowhammer (5)
Starling
Myna
Australian Magpie
--------------------------------------------

You can use the following link to view and reply to the post:
http://www.birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=276&p=1142#p1142

Please note that email sent by reply to this message will not go to
BirdingNZ.net. Use the link above instead.

--
BirdingNZ.net

Hi all,

This trip is on if weather holds, there are 8 of us with room for one more. Let
me know if you can make it.

Cheers,
Detlef
09 407 3874

I went to see this exhibition today as Paul Scofield had recommended it. The
prints are lovely, well worth a view on the web. I need a bigger house.
Happy birding,
jan


From: Salamander Gallery <salamandergallery@...>
Date: Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Subject: Jo Ogier
To: shesagreen@...





03 365 9279
salamandergallery@...
www.salamandergallery.co.nz


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dear All,

Robert Morris has arranged the following trip which we are going to join.
One place left. Anyone interested contact Robert at
robert_p_morris@...

On Saturday 12th December Have arranged a trip out to the Mercury Islands
hopefully to see and photograph Pycroft's Petrel at sea.

Have booked a comfortable boat that has done the trip many times out of
Whitianga. The boat is a comfortable 35ft vessel. Cost is $1200. One place
left which would bring cost down to $240 per person

Roughly plan is to go at 1pm to Red Mercury unless there are weather issues,
and return later in the early evening around 7pm, normally the trips have
had enough by then and people are getting hungry!! We should see good
numbers of Pycroft's as well as Cooks and other seabirds. Have ask the
captain Andy Kerr to confirm a meeting time and place, chum / berly
availability and the route.

Regards

Janie Vaughan







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

-----Original Message-----
From: rschckrd@... [mailto:rschckrd@...]
Sent: Wednesday, 18 November 2009 9:45 am
To: Crossland, Andrew
Subject: Brolga bird sighting in Ellesmere


From: Andrew McFadden [mailto:Andrew.McFadden@...]
Sent: Tuesday, 17 November 2009 4:52 p.m.
To: OSNZEO@...
Subject: Brolga bird sighting in Ellesmere




Hi there

I was contacted by a women from lake ellesmere, CCH who claims she has
sited a
pair of Brolga. Her description fitted the bill, so perhaps she is
right. She
tried to get photos but unfortunately they were too blurry. I thought
you might
be interested as there have only been a few of these to make it over
here from
Australia.

regards

Andrew McFadden MVS BVSc | Incursion Investigator (animals),
Investigation and Diagnostic Centre | Biosecurity New Zealand
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry | 66 Ward St,  Wallaceville | PO
Box 40 742
| Upper Hutt | New Zealand
Telephone: 64-4-894 5611 | Facsimile: 64-4-894 4973| Mobile:
027-733-1791 | Web:
<file://www.maf...govt.nz> www.maf.govt.nz



   _____

This email message and any attachment(s) is intended solely for the
addressee(s)
named above. The information it contains is confidential and may be
legally
privileged.  Unauthorised use of the message, or the information it
contains,
may be unlawful. If you have received this message by mistake please
call the
sender immediately on 64 4 8940100 or notify us by return email and
erase the
original message and attachments. Thank you.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry accepts no responsibility for
changes
made to this email or to any attachments after transmission from the
office.


   _____


**********************************************************************
This electronic email and any files transmitted with it are intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed.

The views expressed in this message are those of the individual
sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Christchurch
City Council.

If you are not the correct recipient of this email please advise the
sender and delete.

Christchurch City Council
http://www.ccc.govt.nz
**********************************************************************

Hi All,

Assisted by a keen whitebaiter, Alan, who gave us a lift to
the bottom of the spit, we walked the 5k, or is it 8k, back to
ashworths.

there were fewer Oystercatcher pairs than previous years, but whether
this relates to the increased disturbance from vehicles, people and dogs
since the island became a spit, is questionable. The traps set by Doc
have caught nothing bar 2 cats at the first trap. 2 of the whitebaiters have
been
resetting the traps during the whitebait season and we will take this over
after
the end of the month.

Several Oyc. pairs had eggs, 7 or 8 nests were located and 1 pair seemed to
have
chicks judging by the diving displays. most pairs were hybrid oyks.
At one area there were 5 Blackbilled gull nests and 4 Pied stilt nests,
together with 2
Oyk nests nearby. The current plan to allow unrestricted access to vehicles
down this
spit is surely crazy, allowing for the ecological value of the area. There
are many other
already desecrated beaches nearby where vehicles already have access. No
need to clear
ALL the WILDLIFE away.

Not so happy birding,
jan


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello BIRDING-NZ,

simon.fordham has posted an important post at BirdingNZ.net.

--------------------------------------------
Here's the text of the post:

We have just returned from a quick look at a wetland / pond in Barry Curtis
Park, Flat Bush.

In addition to 2 x dabchick (apparently nesting), there were 2 x grey teal
and a brown teal.

The pond is by Stancombe Road, opposite the Buddhist Temple.

Simon & Morag
--------------------------------------------

You can use the following link to view and reply to the post:
http://www.birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=274&p=1131#p1131

Please note that email sent by reply to this message will not go to
BirdingNZ.net. Use the link above instead.

--
BirdingNZ.net

We have just returned from a quick look at a wetland / pond in Barry Curtis
Park, Flat Bush.



In addition to 2 x dabchick (apparently nesting), the were 2 x grey teal and
a brown teal.



The pond is by Stancombe Road, opposite the Budhist Temple.



Simon & Morag



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Got to the park just on dawn on Saturday hoping to hear Kokako - walked the City
walk with a few detours starting from the top entrance near the picnic site.
Lots of Robins singing particularly at the beginning of the walk - hearing them
every 100m or so. About half or 2/3 way round heard a loud rustling in the trees
and a Kokako flew up into a Kauri tree - very active and didn't hang around long
- and wasn't calling. Amazing to see ( and a bit lucky!). 200m further down the
track got a great view of a male Stitchbird.
Brilliant to have this just outside Auckland. Recommend an early start to avoid
the crowds!

Cheers

richard fenner

[cid:image002.jpg@...]

level 7
university of otago house
385 queen street
auckland
new zealand

tel:        +64 9 337 7000
ddi:      +64 9 337 7012
mob:    +64 21 364 574
email:   richard.fenner@...<mailto:richard.fenner@...>


      [cid:image004.jpg@...]
     Participating in the carbonZero programme

This email is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed
and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise
protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this email
or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an
employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended
recipient, is prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify us
by calling the IT Help Desk: +64 9 337 7058
________________________________________________________________________________\
____________
a division of phd network limited


______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Colin Hill and I went to Kaitorete Spit
  and then checked the usual sites on lake's northern shore on the way back


-The Spit (strong, cool south-easterly wind)

Asiatic Golden Plover 4
Turnstone 5
Red-necked stint 20
Bar-tailed godwit 1
Pied stilt 8

-Kaituna part of lake

Royal Spoonbill  5

-Jarvis Road

Asiatic golden plover  33
Turnstone 12
R-n stint 1


-Clark's Road

B-t godwit  32
Turnstone   3

-Embankment Road

B-t godwit  30
caspian tern 1
hybrid stilt 1


No curlew sands, sharp-tailed or pectoral sands
No Wrybills



"The contents of this e-mail (including any attachments) may be confidential
and/or subject to copyright. Any unauthorised use,
distribution, or copying of the contents is expressly prohibited.  If you have
received this e-mail in error, please advise the sender
by return e-mail or telephone and then delete this e-mail together with all
attachments from your system."


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi, further to Steve Wratten's report of the Greenpark sands area on Nov
8,   I checked out the 400 ha Christchurch City Council reserve at Upper
Birdlings Lagoon (about 5 km west of the base of Kaitorete Spit and
about 2 km west of the old barn). ideal habitat conditions for waders
and a surprise to find 2 whimbrels.   Arctics are seldom seen here so I
assume they've come off "crescent island" which is located further west
along kaitorete spit. A reminder to birders that both sites require
permisson from farm lessees to access, except along paper roads and
hunter access routes.


2 Pacific Golden Plover
70 Bar-tailed Godwit
10 Turnstone
2 Asiatic Whimbrel



AC

________________________________

From: BIRDING-NZ@yahoogroups.com [mailto:BIRDING-NZ@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Wratten, Stephen
Sent: Friday, 13 November 2009 12:28 pm
To: birding-nz@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] Lake Ellesmere Nov 8




Colin Hill and I did Yarr's and Embankment, Clark's and Jarvis Roads and
found

Jarvis Rd
2 curlew sands (winter plumage)
2 wrybill
4 bar-tailed godwits (no bands etc seen)
37 pied stilts

Clark's
198 pied stilts
158 b-t godwits (no bands etc sen)
38 oystercatchers

Embankment Road
24 godwits
81 stilts
3 oystercatchers

This weekend we hope to have a look at the Kaitoriti Spit end as we
found few of the smaller Arctic waders-see above



Cheers
Steve
ext 8221

"The contents of this e-mail (including any attachments) may be
confidential and/or subject to copyright. Any unauthorised use,
distribution, or copying of the contents is expressly prohibited. If you
have received this e-mail in error, please advise the sender
by return e-mail or telephone and then delete this e-mail together with
all attachments from your system."

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





**********************************************************************
This electronic email and any files transmitted with it are intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed.

The views expressed in this message are those of the individual
sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Christchurch
City Council.

If you are not the correct recipient of this email please advise the
sender and delete.

Christchurch City Council
http://www.ccc.govt.nz
**********************************************************************



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello BIRDING-NZ,

iain johnson has posted an important post at BirdingNZ.net.

--------------------------------------------
Here's the text of the post:

Visited the park this morning, accessing the park via workmans road.

I stopped at the stand of eucalyptus on the right hand side of the road,
just before the tarmac gives way to the gravel.  Managed to call in a
shining cuckoo, which flew directly towards me before perching in a bush
adjacent to the road and eventually returning to the eucalyptus.

Found a further two shining cuckoo in some bushes approx 100m along the
track to the left of the dam.

Also found a stoat (!) just outside the park boundary.
--------------------------------------------

You can use the following link to view and reply to the post:
http://birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=272&p=1124#p1124

Please note that email sent by reply to this message will not go to
BirdingNZ.net. Use the link above instead.

--
BirdingNZ.net

Hi All,

Spent two hours here this morning, some of it with kate roughan,
Ecan ranger in charge of birds for the waimak. [My keyboard doesn't do
caps, sorry]
sheila and i thought there were 1000 to 1500 Blackbilled gulls in 2 colonies
close together, 750 or so in the one upstream which is at a higher elevation
and likely to escape a big fresh coming down. also 200 White-fronted Terns
[probably nesting] between the 2 colonies and upstream of the larger one.
Loosely associated with the colonies are pairs of isolated black-fronted
terns,
but it's hard to tell how many as so spread out. Perhaps 20 pairs?
Some are close to vehicles on the S bank, away from the gulls, which are
across a swift channel well populated with jetboats, kayaks and other craft.

We watched as a 4WD with a young couple got out with Labrador next to a
nest,
proceded to shampoo dog next to a large pool for quite a while and then sent
it back in the
water to wash the suds off. They were quite oblivious to the birds screaming
at them overhead
and again when they came back from a drying walk with dog in the opposite
direction.

If they had not been so far away in the scope I would have been down there,
'saying something' but I desisted and made sure the pair of wrybills close
to us with
possibly 2 chicks weren't disturbed by another family with children and dog.

We had parked by a nest and could hear a Tern twittering, but none in the
air by us.
The sitting bird was twitting quietly, perhaps to its mate to come and drive
us off.
We left swiftly and had a look on the way back, 2 warm eggs and 2 very good
bombing
parents. This nest is by a well-used track in the shingle, how long can it
last?

The river is popular as a recreation place and because the birds move about
every year
it is impossible to fence off somewhere as 'a reserve'. Indeed this has been
done in the
past, but nothing much nests there now. What a nightmare.
Some tapes and signs are due to go up and swimming holes will be dug to try
and concentrate
the use, so we shall see.

Jan and sheila


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <shesagreen@...>
Date: Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Subject: Fake DOC signs: Naughty, but funny | frogblog
To: shesagreen@...



http://blog.greens.org.nz/index.php?p=7624


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello BIRDING-NZ,

Suzi has posted an important post at BirdingNZ.net.

--------------------------------------------
Here's the text of the post:

We had a successful morning's birding on the South Kaipara Harbour and up
the Kaukap River today, (46 on board the Kewpie Too).  Highlights of the
trip (chartered and organised by Kaipara Forest and Bird)  were Brown Teal
and a Cape Barren Goose (on the river) and big flocks of Bar-tailed Godwits
on "Rat Island" (out from Shelly Beach on the harbour).

As we departed Parakai at 8.35am, we encountered Pied Shags (3) and Little
Shag (2) as we motored down the Kaipara River into the harbour.  We went
across to the coastal area off Tupare (wetland reserve) area, but there is
little visible across the mangroves from the harbour and the shell banks
were already covered by the tide (10.30 HT4m).   The rock just south of
Shelly Beach was also mostly covered by tide with just a few Pied Shags
clinging on there and up the coast on rocks under the cliffs (22).  From
Shelly Beach we turned back east and crossed to the island where we had
great views of several thousand BTG (not close enough to tell if there were
Knots among them).  There were a lot of WF Terns (10+) fishing on the
harbour near us and also roosting on the island (50+), as well as
Black-backed Gulls (30+) (flying/roosting, and/or possibly nesting?), and
6+ Caspian Terns there too.  There was also a probable Skua over the
island, chasing a WFT, and a solitary VOC seen on the eastern side.
As we cruised from the west side to the east side of this long, low and
narrow shell/sand island, (covered in a little low scrub), about 50m off
due to the shallowness, we could see flocks of BTG flying across the
harbour to the island - mostly in groups of 10+ to 30+.  It was great to
get out on the harbour and get a good closeup look at the island from the
sea.

We returned past Jordans to the Kaipara River and into the Kaukapakapa
River where there were more Pied (8+) and Black Shags (2), Mallards (10+)
and WF Herons (4).   I'd had a report of a Cape Barren Goose from a
landowner along the river, and so we were in a perfect place to spot the
large grey goose on farmland in the upper reaches.  On the way, we
surprised 2-3 Brown Teal from the water.  I had heard a report of Brown
Teal in the river last year and didn't quite believe it, but there were
plenty of birders on board today to confirm the ID, including Chris Bindon,
Paul Asquith and Noel Knight.
Along this part of the river is the Kaukapakapa Estuary Scientific Reserve,
a beautiful kauri dominated native forest reserve of about 200ha that
stretches along the river for about a kilometere and from the river up to
the ridge line.  There is a large side-stream and wetland about half way
along the reserve and it was here that the Brown Teal were last reported,
so we were lucky to see them out on the main river today.  Many birds were
seen and heard that I didn't count including Yellowhammer, Welcome Swallow,
Spur-winged Plover, Pukeko and Harrier.
As expected so late in the day, dipped on Bittern and Fernbird - both of
which we know from reports are in the Kaukapakapa ESR area.  There is
certainly plenty of good habitat for them with small wetland areas of
raupo, flax, and coastal ribbonwood along the riparian margins.
On the harbour, there were no Royal Spoonbill evident so the flock (of
40-70+) often seen on the harbour in the non-breeding season, has probably
departed for breeding in the South Island.

Suzi
--------------------------------------------

You can use the following link to view and reply to the post:
http://www.birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=271&p=1116#p1116

Please note that email sent by reply to this message will not go to
BirdingNZ.net. Use the link above instead.

--
BirdingNZ.net