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Recent Postings from
The New Zealand Birding List

Updated on Friday, October 19 at 02:20 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

Some good news for once! (even if rather far away)

David




Attached below is very important and interesting information about the 
discovery of a huge flock of the critically endangered Sociable Lapwing in 
Turkey, based on the use of a satellite tag from Kazakhstan 
http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2007/10/lapwing_superflock.html  Well done 
to the BirdLife team on this.

For more on the species: 

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3172&m=0 



Largest flock for 100 years: Sociable Lapwing lives up to its name

Thanks to a single satellite tag, a 3,000-strong flock of Sociable Lapwing 
has been discovered in Turkey – the largest seen for more than 100 years.

“By tracking a single bird from its Kazakh breeding grounds, we have found 
the location of most of the world population of these birds in Turkey,” 
announced Guven Eken, Executive Director of Doğa Derneği (BirdLife in 
Turkey).

The finding represents another significant rise in fortune for the 
Critically Endangered bird: almost five years ago, as few as 400 Sociable 
Lapwing Vanellus gregarius were thought to exist globally.

The birds were found in the Ceylanpınar district of south-eastern Turkey 
after a satellite tag was fitted to one of the birds migrating from breeding 
grounds in Kazakhstan earlier this year.

The tagged bird covered 2,000 miles, flying north of the Caspian Sea, then 
down through the Caucasus and south into Turkey, where it effectively 
stopped. On investigation last Friday, conservationists from Doğa Derneği 
found that the tagged bird was part of a flock of 1,800 other lapwing.

The following day a staggering 3,200 Sociable Lapwing were observed at the 
site.
“Sociable lapwings are finally living up to their name” —Guven Eken, 
Executive Director of Doğa Derneği
Conservationists from a number of nations (nearly all BirdLife Partners) 
have been working to conserve Sociable Lapwing in recent years, by 
coordinating their actions on the ground; focusing their efforts to conserve 
wintering sites, stopover sites and breeding sites along the species’ 
flyways.

This coordinated action has included research and protection of breeding 
sites in Kazakhstan (by ACBK); actions to protect wintering and stopover 
sites in Turkey and Syria (being undertaken by Doğa Derneği, SPNL and 
BirdLife’s Middle East Division); all assisted by research coordinated by 
the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK).

“Understanding the migration from breeding sites in Kazakhstan is essential 
for the future protection of this species, so the news of such a large flock 
is a great cause for celebration,” commented Maxim Koshkin of Association 
for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Kazakhstan (ACBK).

"This discovery is something we didn’t dare dream of,” said the RSPB’s Dr 

Rob Sheldon, responsible for tagging the bird in Kazakhstan. “The Sociable 
Lapwing is one of the rarest birds on earth and suddenly it’s been found in 
these large numbers.”

“It shows just how important both Kazakhstan and Turkey have become for the 
survival of this species. The next step is to protect the bird, both on its 
breeding grounds and at all the key sites on its migration route.”

Where the birds go next is unclear: “They could still move on to Iraq or 
East Africa but if they stay in Turkey, it will be much easier to make them 
safe. We can keep an eye on them here, raise awareness amongst local people 
and work with the Turkish government to protect the areas they are using,” 
said Özge Balkız, a scientist from Doğa Derneği.

The tagging project is partly paid for by the UK government’s Darwin 
Initiative and conservationists from Britain and Kazakhstan hope to win new 
funds to tag more birds next summer.

Hi all,

 

The male Red-necked Phalarope, with mostly retained breeding plumage,  was
still at Lake Grassmere yesterday, 18 Oct.  Also 2 Sharpies, 2 RNStints, 7
Wrybill, 25+ Turnstone

 

Sav Saville

Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ

 

23 Duke Street

Feilding 

New Zealand



sav AT wrybill-tours.com

www.wrybill-tours.com

 



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

Another of the colour-banded Mana shore plover was seen at Petone 
Beach by Sue Freitag and two others today at 6 PM, feeding in the 
tyre tracks left after a beach clean-up.  This was a different bird 
from the one she found on Monday, but in exactly the same place.  A 
thorough search this evening did not turn up another bird, and on 
neither occasion did we see any of the aggressive behaviour we have 
been told is associated with nesting.  Today's bird was seen at Green 
Point by Andy Falshaw on 26 August and had previously been part of 
the more settled bunch on Mana.  Monday's bird stayed for some time 
on Mana as well, but was not there on 20 September.

Regards
Barry Dent

Hi
Good numbers of barwits in both estuaries now.

Maketu
Bar-tailed godwit 523
Knot 1
Red-necked stint 4
Turnstone 2
PGPs 5
SIPOs
VOCs
NZ Dotts 15

Reef heron 1

Kaituna
Cattle egret 10

Little Waihi
Bar-tailed godwit 498
PGPs 27
Knot 7
Turnstone 1
NZ dotts 2
SIPO
VOC

and all the other usuals - fernbirds showing well on the islands.

Cheers
Tim





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

Hi all,
 
We were supposed to be out on the Hauraki Gulf attempting to catch New
Zealand storm-petrels this week, however, with the weather the way it
has been we have held off.  But, we are heading out next week (weather
dependent) and require a couple of volunteers to help with the work.  At
this stage we are planning on leaving Sandspit first thing Mon (22 Oct)
morning and being back late Fri (26 Oct) afternoon.
 
We will anchor at night, probably in a sheltered spot around the
Mokohinau Islands, and will spend each day out on the water trying to
attract and catch the birds.  If you are keen and have good sealegs and
are able to row a dinghy, then please get in touch with me as soon as
possible.  Pass this on to anyone you think capable and interested.
Contact details below.
 
Regards and thanks,
Brent
 
Brent Stephenson PhD (Ornithology)
Eco-Vista: Photography & Research + Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
PO Box 8291, Havelock North 4157, New Zealand
Phone    Fax    Cell 
email   brent AT eco-vista.com or
 brent AT wrybill-tours.com
web   http://www.eco-vista.com and
 http://www.wrybill-tours.com
 


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

Rivers We Love
Dear all 
There is a new survey about to be launched on the recreational use of rivers 
that has the potential to provide valuable data shaping the future of the 
rivers we love. But it will only be robust and meaningful if as many people as 
possible take part. 


Please check out the link below and register your interest if it appeals to 
you, and forward this information on to any one you know who recreates on New 
Zealand rivers. The more the better! 


Thanks heaps. 

 

http://www.riversurvey.otago.ac.nz/ 

 




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



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14:14 



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

Hi folks, the godwit influx has now reached the A-H, c.1250 now present
+ 1 knot and 1 turnstone. I counted from an adjacent hill top (the best
way to get an individual count when the flock are roostimng on the sand
bars) so I didn't get any bands, but i know Jan and sheila will "clean
up" with those as soon as the sun comes out!! 
 
 
AC


________________________________

	From: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:] On Behalf Of Jan
Walker
	Sent: Wednesday, 17 October 2007 9:35 am
	To: David
	Cc: brent AT wrybill-tours.com; BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com
	Subject: Re: [BIRDING-NZ] Kaikoura birds
	
	

	Hi All,
	Sheila and I have seen juvs since 2nd Oct at Avon/Heathcote.
Sorry, a bit
	remiss
	in reporting lately. Yest., 16th Oct there were at least 5 juvs
in a group
	of 34
	at Bexley wetland and at least 6 in a large roosting flock of
about 850 on a
	sandbank
	at the estuary mouth. Lots of these were lying down and hard to
see
	properly.
	Altogether we had about 900 Bartails around the estuary in
brilliant
	viewing. 12
	in Charlesworth wetland also, none in paddocks though! An OY
flagged bird
	present
	and a knot [no flags or bands] Looks like quite a lot of our
birds are back,
	there were
	lots with bands, but will report those separately.
	
	Afternoon, we went to Ashley estuary with Bev
	Alexander
	and tried to count birds amid the constant disturbance
	of 15 4WDs , quadbikes and whitebaiters walking around, setting
up nets,
	raking gravel
	etc etc. Even though the access is restricted to those with
keys, they still
	drive all over
	once they are through the barriers. A large flock of
White-fronted terns
	were disturbed
	again and again and can no longer nest at this end of the
estuary.
	There were about 110 Bartails with many juvs here too. Also 4
Red Knot, 1
	Turnstone
	and a JUVENILE SANDERLING [id. by Sheila]
	No bands or flags on Godwits here.
	
	Total Godwits Ashley and Avon now about 1000, still down
somewhat but there
	may be others at
	Lake Ellesmere still.
	
	Hoping to do Avon/H again today if the howling, sleeting
Southerly stays
	away til well after HTide.
	Happy Birding Sav and All,
	Jan
	
	On 10/16/07, David 
> wrote:
	>
	> Brent,
	> Good sightings. The first of the juvenile Godwits were seen on
the Manukau
	> Harbour and Firth of Thames on the 4th October, and numbers
have been
	> building up since (not that I have seen them mind you), and I
am sure that
	> we had one on the Avon Heathcote on Sunday morning but hard to
confirm
	> through the rain!!
	> So keep looking they are out there.
	> David Lawrie
	> ----- Original Message -----
	> From: Brent Stephenson
	> To: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com
  
	> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:40 PM
	> Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] Kaikoura birds
	>
	> Hi all,
	>
	> Sav has headed down to Kaikoura for a few days. Yesterday he
found the
	> black kite in the usual spot near Renwick, but no sign of the
phalaropes
	> at Lake Grassmere (a couple of wrybill and red-necked stint
though).
	>
	> Yesterday and today he found a Hudsonian sub sp. whimbrel at
the
	> Kaikoura Seal Colony, pretending to be a wandering tattler,
and today
	> there were eight bar-wits near the Seal Colony, all juveniles
- first
	> for the country? Also today a male cirl bunting was singing
strongly
	> 100m along the new track that leaves the South Bay Reserve and
heads
	> around the beach and base of the Peninsula.
	>
	> Usual suspects on the Oceanwings pelagic.
	>
	> Cheers,
	> Brent
	>
	> Brent Stephenson PhD (Ornithology)
	> Eco-Vista: Photography & Research + Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
	> PO Box 8291, Havelock North 4157, New Zealand
	> Phone  Fax  Cell 
	> email   >
	> brent AT eco-vista.com 
 or
	>   >
	> brent AT wrybill-tours.com 

	> web  >
http://www.eco-vista.com   and
	> 
> http://www.wrybill-tours.com  
	>
	> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
	>
	> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
	>
	> 
	>
	
	[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
	
	

	 


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

Hello all,

We are 4 bird watchers from Sweden visiting New Zealand from Nov 5th to Nov
20th.
We plan to travel on both islands incl. Stewart Island and Tiritiri.

We would appreciate very much if some can help us with some information
about the Shore Plover and where it is possible to find.
Is it any possibility to reach Mana Island and see them there?

Also any information about how to find New Zealand Falcon, Black Stilt or
any other birds of interest would be great.

Looking forward to visit your nice country soon!

All the best
Matz Jonson
Sweden



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

A single shore plover, from the Mana Island birds, was seen near the wharf
on Petone Beach about 6.30 pm monday this week.  
It looks like some of these birds aren't behaving as hoped, ie they aren't
staying on Mana Island but are dispersing elsewhere.  
So keep your eyes peeled when looking through shore bird flocks....
 
andy

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: /1072 - Release Date: 15/10/2007
5:55 p.m.
 


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

Hi All,
Sheila and I have seen juvs since 2nd Oct at Avon/Heathcote. Sorry, a bit
remiss
in reporting lately. Yest., 16th Oct there were at least 5 juvs in a group
of 34
at Bexley wetland and at least 6 in a large roosting flock of about 850 on a
sandbank
at the estuary mouth. Lots of these were lying down and hard to see
properly.
Altogether we had about 900 Bartails around the estuary in brilliant
viewing. 12
in Charlesworth wetland also, none in paddocks though! An OY flagged bird
present
and a knot [no flags or bands] Looks like quite a lot of our birds are back,
there were
lots with bands, but will report those separately.

Afternoon, we went to Ashley estuary with Bev
Alexander
and tried to count birds amid the constant disturbance
of 15 4WDs , quadbikes and whitebaiters walking around, setting up nets,
raking gravel
etc etc. Even though the access is restricted to those with keys, they still
drive all over
once they are through the barriers. A large flock of White-fronted terns
were disturbed
again and again and can no longer nest at this end of the estuary.
There were about 110 Bartails with many juvs here too. Also 4 Red Knot, 1
Turnstone
and a JUVENILE SANDERLING [id. by Sheila]
No bands or flags on Godwits here.

Total Godwits Ashley and Avon now about 1000, still down somewhat but there
may be others at
Lake Ellesmere still.

Hoping to do Avon/H again today if the howling, sleeting Southerly stays
away til well after HTide.
Happy Birding Sav and All,
Jan


On 10/16/07, David  wrote:
>
>   Brent,
> Good sightings. The first of the juvenile Godwits were seen on the Manukau
> Harbour and Firth of Thames on the 4th October, and numbers have been
> building up since (not that I have seen them mind you), and I am sure that
> we had one on the Avon Heathcote on Sunday morning but hard to confirm
> through the rain!!
> So keep looking they are out there.
> David Lawrie
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brent Stephenson
> To: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:40 PM
> Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] Kaikoura birds
>
> Hi all,
>
> Sav has headed down to Kaikoura for a few days. Yesterday he found the
> black kite in the usual spot near Renwick, but no sign of the phalaropes
> at Lake Grassmere (a couple of wrybill and red-necked stint though).
>
> Yesterday and today he found a Hudsonian sub sp. whimbrel at the
> Kaikoura Seal Colony, pretending to be a wandering tattler, and today
> there were eight bar-wits near the Seal Colony, all juveniles - first
> for the country? Also today a male cirl bunting was singing strongly
> 100m along the new track that leaves the South Bay Reserve and heads
> around the beach and base of the Peninsula.
>
> Usual suspects on the Oceanwings pelagic.
>
> Cheers,
> Brent
>
> Brent Stephenson PhD (Ornithology)
> Eco-Vista: Photography & Research + Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
> PO Box 8291, Havelock North 4157, New Zealand
> Phone  Fax  Cell 
> email >
> brent AT eco-vista.com  or
> >
> brent AT wrybill-tours.com 
> web  http://www.eco-vista.com and
>  http://www.wrybill-tours.com
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> 
>


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

Brent,
Good sightings. The first of the juvenile Godwits were seen on the Manukau 
Harbour and Firth of Thames on the 4th October, and numbers have been building 
up since (not that I have seen them mind you), and I am sure that we had one on 
the Avon Heathcote on Sunday morning but hard to confirm through the rain!! 

So keep looking they are out there.
David Lawrie
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Brent Stephenson 
  To: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 7:40 PM
  Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] Kaikoura birds


  Hi all,

  Sav has headed down to Kaikoura for a few days. Yesterday he found the
  black kite in the usual spot near Renwick, but no sign of the phalaropes
  at Lake Grassmere (a couple of wrybill and red-necked stint though).

  Yesterday and today he found a Hudsonian sub sp. whimbrel at the
  Kaikoura Seal Colony, pretending to be a wandering tattler, and today
  there were eight bar-wits near the Seal Colony, all juveniles - first
  for the country? Also today a male cirl bunting was singing strongly
  100m along the new track that leaves the South Bay Reserve and heads
  around the beach and base of the Peninsula.

  Usual suspects on the Oceanwings pelagic.

  Cheers,
  Brent 

  Brent Stephenson PhD (Ornithology)
  Eco-Vista: Photography & Research + Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
  PO Box 8291, Havelock North 4157, New Zealand
  Phone  Fax  Cell 
  email  brent AT eco-vista.com or
   brent AT wrybill-tours.com
  web  http://www.eco-vista.com and
   http://www.wrybill-tours.com


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



   

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

Hi all,
 
Sav has headed down to Kaikoura for a few days.  Yesterday he found the
black kite in the usual spot near Renwick, but no sign of the phalaropes
at Lake Grassmere (a couple of wrybill and red-necked stint though).
 
Yesterday and today he found a Hudsonian sub sp. whimbrel at the
Kaikoura Seal Colony, pretending to be a wandering tattler, and today
there were eight bar-wits near the Seal Colony, all juveniles - first
for the country?  Also today a male cirl bunting was singing strongly
100m along the new track that leaves the South Bay Reserve and heads
around the beach and base of the Peninsula.
 
Usual suspects on the Oceanwings pelagic.
 
Cheers,
Brent 
 
Brent Stephenson PhD (Ornithology)
Eco-Vista: Photography & Research + Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
PO Box 8291, Havelock North 4157, New Zealand
Phone    Fax    Cell 
email   brent AT eco-vista.com or
 brent AT wrybill-tours.com
web   http://www.eco-vista.com and
 http://www.wrybill-tours.com
 


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

The latest Wetlands magazine has a link to a new report on numbers of 
waterbirds in Southeast Asia: 

The Status of Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia Results of 
Waterbird Surveys in Malaysia (2004�2006) and Thailand and Myanmar (2006)
Edited by David Li Zuo Wei and Rosie Ounsted
July 2007 

You can buy hardcopy or download the text for free from 
http://www.wetlands.org/publication.aspx?ID=-ae69-4755-b620-beb94b86 
b877 

Blurb from the website: 

The outcomes of this recent investigation demonstrate the importance of 
peninsular Malaysia for many migratory species, but also show an alarming 
trend. Shorebird numbers showed an overall decline of 22% in Malaysia 
between 1983�1986 and 2004�2006. 


The surveys confirmed the Peninsular Malaysian coast as one of the most 
important wintering grounds for the Endangered Nordmann�s Greenshank, 
supports up to 25% (1%=8) of the most rare shorebird species along the East 
Asian-Australasian Flyway. The surveys also confirmed the significance of 
the east Malaysian coast for the wintering Vulnerable Chinese Egret, with up 
to 33% (1%=30) using of the east Malaysian coast for wintering.
The latest Wetlands International publication entitled �The Status of 
Coastal Waterbirds and Wetlands in Southeast Asia: Results of Waterbird 
Surveys in Malaysia (2004�2006) and Thailand and Myanmar (2006)� presents a 
comprehensive update of the status of waterbird populations and wetlands 
along the coasts of Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar based on surveys 
undertaken between 2004 and 2006. The surveys in Malaysia were jointed 
conducted by Malaysian Nature Society, Sarawak Forest Corporation and 
Wetlands International �Malaysia Office. The surveys in Thailand and Myanmar 
was carried out by Bird Conservation Society of Thailand and Myanmar Bird 
and Nature Society, respectively. The field work was mostly done by 
volunteers in these countries. 

A total of 134 wetland sites were covered in Malaysia, including 15 sites on 
the southwest coast of Sarawak � the first comprehensive update of the 
status of waterbird populations and wetlands on this coast since 1985. Peak 
counts for all sites between 2004 and 2006 recorded over 105,000 waterbirds. 
Selangor and Sarawak were the most important states, with more than 30,000 
waterbirds recorded along the coasts of both states. A total of 16 sites 
meet the criterion for international importance (>1% of the population), and 
a further 39 sites are potentially of international importance in having 
recorded large numbers of unidentified waterbirds or at least one globally 
threatened species. 

Hi,

yesterday (Sunday) I came across this bird at the Firth of Thames just
north of Kaiaua:

http://s1.directupload.net/images/071015/v5l52agy.jpg

And I'm having a bit of trouble with the identification. Would be great
if anyone out there could point me in the right direction.

Thanks

Tobias

I always find it amusing that when people object to four-legged game 
animals
they always seem to omit the one that actually does the most damage in 
my opinion;
the goat.

Anyone who has actually seen the damage that goats cause in the bush
will I'm sure agree with me. Put it this way, goats aren't very 
discriminate when it
comes to what they eat! Add to this that goats don't take baits, and 
aren't exactly a prized
game animal, and it all adds up to a big problem! Don't get suckered 
into the deer
wars issue, it is the goat problem that more conservation dollars should 
be spent on
and where we would get the biggest return on the initial investment 
involved.

Paul G.

Hi Phil

Once when I was near the mouth of Waikanae River I saw (through binos)
a dabchick eat a small fish (minnow). I'm sure that would be what your 
dabchick
would be eating or looking for.

Cheers

Paul

Phil Hammond wrote:
>
> hi all
>
> i got a surprise when i went to the salt water inlet between papakanui 
> spit and the top of south kaipara peninsular on sunday there was a 
> dabchick in the channel
>
> I have seen other small grebes like slavonian in bays or sheltered sea 
> overseas but i cant remember having seen a nz dabchick in salt water 
> before. it was definitely a dabchick not any other grebe sp ---i got 
> close enough with my scope to see all details--it was an adult in 
> breeding plumage
>
> it was there when i arrived ---i watched it for half an hour and it 
> was still there when i left at 5pm. during that time it dived at least 
> half a dozen times [mostly when i wasnt close so it wasn't just 
> getting away from me] but i could not see what it was eating.
>
> i would not usually report a dabchick but did this one because it was 
> in salt water
>
> regards phil
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Don't let your dream ride pass you by. Make it a reality with Yahoo! 
> Autos.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>  

Today, David Melville, Ingrid Hutzler, Bruce Mckinlay and I braved a howling 
gale and driving rain to check the Godwits at the Avon Heathcote Estuary this 
morning. We eventually found the birds on the paddocks near the wind surfers 
carpark after getting sandblasted on Southspit. 

We checked about 400 birds and got 4 full band combinations, 1 orange flag and 
3 part combinations, the grass was a bit long Andrew you will have to trim it a 
bit shorter. David may give a fuller report once he finishes his drive home. 

David Lawrie

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

RE. Sav Saville's message posted on 6th August regarding a report of a 
Common Myna at Sanson, one bird was seen feeding on the SH3 roadside in 
the centre of the town on Saturday afternoon, 13th October. The species 
is common in parts of Wanganui, including Wanganui East, but I've not 
yet seen it in either Turakina or Bulls, though a more thorough search 
may need to be done. Perhaps Horizons should add the species to its 
list of species whose spread they would like to control (joining the 
Australian Magpie (which is everywhere), Rook, and Sulphur-crested 
Cockatoo)?

All the best,

Peter Frost

Hi,

I recorded the following waders and other waterbirds at the Manawatu 
Estuary on Saturday, from hightide (about 11:19am) onwards to 3:25pm.

Bar-tailed Godwit - 196 (average of 3 counts, 192-200; at least 16 
birds colour-banded)
Red Knot - 39 (including two banded birds, one of which had 
black/white flags on the right tibia, indicating that it had been 
banded at Chongming Dao in China; see 
http://www.protoavis.com.au/wetlands/lfb_key.htm)
Wrybill - 19
Masked Lapwing - 18 (but a larger flock on the south bank)
Pied Oystercatcher - 3
Redbilled Gull - 8
Blackbilled Gull - 2 (distinctive when flying in to roost at high 
tide; also much more bouyant flight than Redbilled Gull, at least to 
my mind)
Caspian Tern - 13 (including the same colour-banded bird as recorded 
earlier in the week; see my previous message)
Spoonbill - 1 adult in breeding condition

There was a large excursion of Forest and Bird members from 
Palmerston North going on at the same time, so someone among them  
have additional records (one person that I met later mentioned 
Turnstone). 

The modest build up in Godwit numbers between Tuesday (161) and 
Saturday (196) suggests that the bulk of the migrants have still to 
arrive. Some of the colour-banded birds seen on Tuesday were not 
recorded on Saturday.

There were also 10 Cattle Egret in full breeding plumage, resting in 
a field on the outskirts of Foxton Beach village at 3:55 pm, and 
another 5 birds, also in full breeding plumage, about 1.7 km down the 
Whangaehu Beach Road, between Turakina and Wanganui, at 5:20 pm. This 
last group of birds has been on the same farm (and same few paddocks) 
since mid-May (see Phil Battley's posting on 22nd May).

All the best,

Peter Frost

Thanks to everyone for the directions and tips.

The brown teal were right by the rd at Waikanae (9th Oct) when I arrived but
soon moved further down the estuary. No egret could I find. No egret or teal
when I went back on the 13th, but the place was then very crowded with white
baiters.

No luck on the shore plovers at Titahi Bay (13th Oct).

At the Manawatu Estuary (13th Oct) I counted 184 bar-tails, about a dozen
knots (sorry I'm not very good at counting esp. with just binos) and 1
turnstone.

Thanks,

Neil.

 

 

Neil Fitzgerald

www.neilfitzgeraldphoto.co.nz

  _____  

From: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Ian Armitage
Sent: Sunday, 30 September 2007 5:36 p.m.
To: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com; Neil Fitzgerald
Subject: Re: [BIRDING-NZ] shore plovers and other Wellington suggestions

 

Hi Neil,

The most likely spot to find shore plovers is at Green Point, about 1 km
south of Titahi Bay. Up to 8 birds have been flying to the North Island from
Mana Island for about four months and several OSNZ members have been
monitoring their presence at Green Point. I have to say however that no
shore plovers have been seen at Green Point for about two weeks now. They
may be back on Mana Island or may have moved on around the Wellington
coastline. Drive to the Porirua City Wastewater Treatment Plant carpark
(accessed from suburban streets in Titahi Bay), then follow the rocky
coastline south for about 1 km. You can't miss Green Point - it is quite
obvious; take a 50,000 scale map though. The shore plover are usually on the
shoreline or on the grassy paddock above the beach. The round walking trip
takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how long you wish to stay.

You could visit Somes Is/Matiu is Wellington Harbour, where kakariki and
robins are now well established. Take the 'East-by-West' ferry from Queens's
Wharf (it runs several times a day). I suggest that you visit the Waimanu
Lagoons at Waikanae Beach; easy to reach by car - just follow the road map
and road sign directions. It is right opposite Kapiti Island. The little
egret has not been seen lately but it may still be about. Brown teal are
present, also dabchicks and nesting pied shags. Pied stilts and banded
dotterels are often seen on the beach or in the river estuary, The Karori
Wildlife Sanctuary is always worth a visit; plenty to see there, including
stitchbirds, robins and bellbirds. Also kiwi if you take an evening tour.
The Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve, managed by Forest & Bird, is also well
worth a visit. It is on SH 58, between Paremata and the Hutt Valley, at the
NE end of Pauatahanui Inlet. Just drive into the reserve carpark (nearby to
the movie theatre), then follow the paths to the hides.

When driving south through the Manawatu you may like to visit the Manawatu
River estuary at Foxton. Turn off SH 1 at Foxton township and go west to
Foxton beach (about 3 km). Park in the picnic ground beside the camp ground
and then walk to the river (10 minutes). Several OSNZ members were there
yesterday monitoring the recently arrived godwits and red knots. We also saw
three wrybill, three cattle egret (opposite the wharf) and one royal
spoonbill.

Cheers.

Ian Armitage

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Neil Fitzgerald 
To: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogro  ups.com 
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2007 10:13 PM
Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] shore plovers and other Wellington suggestions

Hi,

Week after next I'll be heading to Wellington for a few days. I'd like to
find shore plovers while down that way. Can anybody provide directions to
this out of towner? Are there any other interesting and accessible birds
around there at the moment? There was an egret some time back wasn't there?
I'll have to visit Karori at least once, and any other suggestions for
places to visit between Hamilton and the capital would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Neil.

Neil Fitzgerald

www.neilfitzgeraldphoto.co.nz

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

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

Ray Clough told me there was a big influx of godwits at Mangere SP on  
the Manukau H. today now 1500 there including colour banded birds, if  
anyone wants to go looking for colour bands that's a good place

Adrian

Hello

There was 19 Bar-tailed Godwits at Washdyke lagoon near timaru this 
morning.  There was also another bird with them, just one individual, 
about half the size, pale underside and grey upper, short beak, the 
only species i can think of is a lesser knot or a marsh sandpiper, i'd 
appreciate any comments on what people think is more likely??

Cheers, dale mcentee

Bev Alexander reports 103 Bar-tailed Godwits are now at the Ashley.
She saw them at high tide at the end of King's Ave access, most
were roosting, a few feeding. No bands vis.
Cheers, Jan


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

Adrian Riegan's prediction that there will be a big increase in birds 
around 11-12 October has proved true here at the Motueka Sandspit 
(Tasman Bay, top of the South Island)
Today there were over 500 Godwit, (300 more than two weeks ago) 30 
Turnstone and 80-100 Knot.
One Godwit with orange flag, one with orange over yellow flags, and many 
colour bands.
Pauline Samways

I have received another email to say that many, if not all, ducklings 
of dabbling ducks can dive and feed underwater. This has been suggested 
to be either because "diving is a primitive condition in ducks that 
only the young of dabbling ducks still "remember"" or due to ducklings 
being less buoyant(compared to the adults). 
The duckling was exactly the same colouration as the other mallards.
Thanks for your replies :)

Hi Andrew,

It would certainly be considered normal behavior for a Mallard, Parera
(Grey Duck)or a Tete (Grey Teal) duckling to dive under water to avoid
danger as you have mentioned. 

It is something that they also do during the excitement of washing and
preening themselves. Often waterfowl, even very young birds will dive
repeatedly for a short while with wings out spread, pop up and dive
again, flick water over their back and body and preen all in a fairly
quick succession but the diving appears to be an excitement aspect
that does not always occur with the the other two actions and most
often occurs with birds that have not been on the water for some time
and are really relishing it or when the birds or the climatic
conditions are particularly warm. 

As for feeding, I have only ever seen dabbling Ducks "up end" or
occasionally lunge a small way at something under water but never have
I seen a deliberate gleening type of feeding action by these dabbling
species under water. 

This is more like the behavior of our native Papango (Scaup)which
certainly are a diving waterfowl species and get most of their food in
this way.

I have personally never heard of Mallard crossing with Papango. There
could be the possibility that one of a Papango brood became separated
and remixed in with a passing Mallard family. Was the duckling much
smaller and darker than the other ducklings as this may help to
resolve this,

Regards,

Chris


--- In BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com, "Andrew T"  wrote:
>
> I was at Palmerston North's city central duck pond and I saw what 
> looked like a mallard duckling diving about 2 feet underwater and 
> feeding on the bottom of the pond. It was one of around seven other 
> ducklings with a mother mallard duck, however this was the only one 
> diving. I have heard of ducklings diving underwater away from danger, 
> but hadn't seen any ducklings feed while diving underwater. Is this a 
> common occurrence, I apologize if it is?
> I was wondering if it had crossed with another duck species that dives, 
> as there are all sorts of species on that pond.
> Any thoughts?
> 
> Thanks, from Andrew
>

I was at Palmerston North's city central duck pond and I saw what 
looked like a mallard duckling diving about 2 feet underwater and 
feeding on the bottom of the pond. It was one of around seven other 
ducklings with a mother mallard duck, however this was the only one 
diving. I have heard of ducklings diving underwater away from danger, 
but hadn't seen any ducklings feed while diving underwater. Is this a 
common occurrence, I apologize if it is?
I was wondering if it had crossed with another duck species that dives, 
as there are all sorts of species on that pond.
Any thoughts?

Thanks, from Andrew

FYI, Suzi

Spoon-billed bird facing extinction
http://www.birdlife.org/news/pr/2007/10/spoon_billed_sandpiper.html

Just back from a whirlwind tour of the South Island - not really a birding 
trip, but saw a few things on the way. Highlights were: 


Blue Penguins: Oamaru, spilling over from the managed colony, about 6 in the 
rock garden around the neighbouring (overpriced) restaurant, also one crossing 
the road back into town. 


Yellow-eyed Penguins: Two right by the track to the hide and 3 on the beach at 
Oamaru, and 10+ at Roaring Bay, the Nuggets. 


Yellowheads: Two groups seen and a few more heard along the Catlins River track 
in perfect weather. Accessed the track via the forestry road that runs past the 
campsite for about ten minutes, then a signed track that follows a small stream 
down to the river - takes you right in to the heart of the forest. Didn't find 
any at Haast Pass, where it was sleeting/snowing. 


Royal Spoonbills:  1 at Papatowai, 3 at Waikawa.

Fernbird: several at Tautuku boardwalk. Heard at Okarito in scrub on the 
seaward side of the road near the start of the trig track. 


Falcon: One flying over the Remarkables Park, Frankton, heading for the 
Remarkables. Our first supermarket carpark falcon! 


White Herons: Three flew over the car and landed in the paddock by the road 
just north of Hokitika, after none at all at a quick stop in Okarito. 


Weka: one by the road at Rocky Point, about 25km down the hill from Otira.

Rock Wren: One possibly heard at Temple Basin carpark - snowing at the time. 
The DoC staffer at the Arthur's Pass visitor centre said the pair at the top of 
the Bealey had had their nest site hit by an avalanche, and this might be them. 
Never saw any birds, and couldn't find them the next day when we went back for 
another look. 


Plus the usual things that delighted these North Islanders but aren't really 
worth detailing - Kea, SI Robin, Royal Albatross, Yellow-breasted Tit 
(amazingly common roadside bird up the West Coast), Dunnock etc. Still no Cirl 
Bunting! 


David Riddell & Annette Taylor

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

Hi everyone,

While reconnoitering the Manawatu Estuary yesterday (9th October) for 
an excursion being organised by local OSNZ members as part of 
Wanganui's upcoming (January 2008) Summer Nature Programme, I 
recorded the following within the bird reserve at Foxton Beach:

Bar-tailed Godwit minimum - 161 (26 colour-banded; details sent to 
Phil Battley)
Red Knot - 24 (4 with colour bands or colour flags; ditto)
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - 1
Wrybill - 3
SI Pied Oystercatcher - 5
Pied Stilt - 1
Royal Spoonbill - 2 imm
Caspian Tern - 6 (including one colour-banded bird with a combination 
of those banded at Bell Island, Nelson, by Willie Cook as part of the 
2004 cohort)
Canada Goose - 22
Redbilled Gull - 3 imm
Blackbacked Gull - >15 (not counted)
White-faced Heron - 6

The birds were recorded on as the tide started to recede, from 09h25 
onwards. 

All the best,

Peter Frost
pghfrost AT xtra.co.nz

  

This panel is indeed a good idea but I am rather wary... Obviously just
part of United Futures package it was given by Labour to allow them to
govern and clearly something Dunn promised his mossbacked G & F friends.
But of course like most things this current government has done
(Kiwisaver/ Kiwibank etc) it is actually simply reinventing the wheel
and reinstating something that the "Labour" Governments of the 1980's
disestablished but in a rather water down form. There used to be the
Wild Animal Control Board which was turned into the Animal Health Board
in the 1980s and Fish and Game, Hunters and F&B were left to fend for
themselves.  Incidentally I am astonished to see no representative of
Fish and Game, just the deerstalkers and the reactionary "Game and
Forest Foundation".

 

The shocking thing is that nowhere do I see any discussing of the game
animals that truly matter: gray duck, canada goose etc. and even worse
the terms of reference specifically exclude discussion of these issues!

 

I agree that a strong message is needed from individuals and
organizations about this panel and I urge all to contribute - it only
takes a few minutes and you can do it on the web! 

 

www.gameanimalpanel.org.nz  

 

Paul

________________________________

From: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of dale_mcentee
Sent: Wednesday, 10 October 2007 12:50 p.m.
To: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com
Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] Game Animal Panel

 

The government has appointed a panel to look at managing the numbers of 
game animals in NZ and is calling for public submissions

www.gameanimalpanel.org.nz

for background on the threat game animals pose see
http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/publications/magazine/1998/august/deerme
 
nace.asp

this has the potential to further undermine control of pest species 
such as deer, thar, chamios and pigs through providing them elevated 
status.

A strong message is required to this panel to maintain protection of 
native species and ecosystems.

 



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

The government has appointed a panel to look at managing the numbers of 
game animals in NZ and is calling for public submissions

www.gameanimalpanel.org.nz

for background on the threat game animals pose see
http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/publications/magazine/1998/august/deerme
nace.asp

this has the potential to further undermine control of pest species 
such as deer, thar, chamios and pigs through providing them elevated 
status.

A strong message is required to this panel to maintain protection of 
native species and ecosystems.

Here is another piece to the migration puzzle from Bob Gill in Alaska

Two colleagues (Dirk Derksen and Chris Dau) were on the end of the  
Alaska
Peninsula last week -- at the site (Cold Bay) where the godwits flew  
into
the radar dome several years ago (the guts don't fly contribution).

On the evening of Thursday, 4 October at about 2100 ADT (0600Z on 5 Oct)
they heard "many 100s and 100s" of godwits flying over to the south.   
This
went on for over an hour.   The calls were "quite loud" so they  
suspected
birds were under 500 m altitude.  The high tide was at 1800 ADT (another
departure on an evening high tide!) .  The timing preceded E8's  
departure
by a day or two.  These were likely godwits coming from sites  
elsewhere on
the AK Peninsula and YKD as few godwits use the Cold Bay/Izembek Lagoon
estuary.

Based on the above, I expect you'll notice a major increase in numbers
starting the 11-12th.  This is the first really good departure  
conditions
we've seen in almost two weeks and it is getting late in the season,  
so I'm
betting you'll see a big increase.  Let us know.


Adrian Riegen

Hi All,
In the Marlborough hills there has been alot of rain and as a consequence there 
has been much flooding of the Wairau. When this happens the Opawa river where 
we live gets cut off and backs up and forces birds to move. On Monday night saw 
50 odwit feeding on pasture and seemed very content with a new diet of worms. 
See pictures on my blog site. 

Will
DRIFTWOOD ECO-TOURS LIMITED
R.D.3. Dillon's Point Road
Marlborough, New Zealand

Cell Ph: 
will AT driftwoodecotours.co.nz
CHECK OUT WILL'S BLOG AT THE WEB SITE
www.driftwoodecotours.com

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

Hi Phil,
I have seen them on salt/brackish water at the Waikanae Estuary as well.
Seems if there is freshwater they frequent locally, then they are not
averse to spending a little time on salt water as well.
Cheers,
Brent

Brent Stephenson PhD (Ornithology)
Eco-Vista: Photography & Research + Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
PO Box 8291, Havelock North 4157, New Zealand
Phone �� Fax    Cell 
email brent AT eco-vista.com or brent AT wrybill-tours.com
web http://www.eco-vista.com and http://www.wrybill-tours.com


-----Original Message-----
From: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Phil Hammond
Sent: Tuesday, 9 October 2007 3:40 p.m.
To: birding-nz AT yahoogroups.com
Cc: mel galbraith
Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] dabchick in salt water

hi all
   
  i got a surprise when i went to the salt water inlet between papakanui
spit and the top of south kaipara peninsular on sunday there was a
dabchick in the channel
   
  I have seen other small grebes like slavonian in bays or sheltered sea
overseas but i cant remember having seen a nz dabchick in salt water
before. it was definitely a dabchick not any other grebe sp ---i got
close enough with my scope to see all details--it was an adult in
breeding plumage
   
  it was there when i arrived ---i watched it for half an hour and it
was still there when i left at 5pm. during that time it dived at least
half a dozen times [mostly when i wasnt close so it wasn't just getting
away from me] but i could not see what it was eating.
   
  i would not usually report a dabchick but did this one because it was
in salt water 
   
  regards phil
    

       
---------------------------------
Don't let your dream ride pass you by.    Make it a reality with Yahoo!
Autos. 

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



BIRDING-NZ is moderated by Brent Stephenson 
Yahoo! Groups Links

hi all
   
 i got a surprise when i went to the salt water inlet between papakanui spit 
and the top of south kaipara peninsular on sunday there was a dabchick in the 
channel 

   
 I have seen other small grebes like slavonian in bays or sheltered sea 
overseas but i cant remember having seen a nz dabchick in salt water before. it 
was definitely a dabchick not any other grebe sp ---i got close enough with my 
scope to see all details--it was an adult in breeding plumage 

   
 it was there when i arrived ---i watched it for half an hour and it was still 
there when i left at 5pm. during that time it dived at least half a dozen times 
[mostly when i wasnt close so it wasn't just getting away from me] but i could 
not see what it was eating. 

   
 i would not usually report a dabchick but did this one because it was in salt 
water 

   
  regards phil
    

       
---------------------------------
Don't let your dream ride pass you by.    Make it a reality with Yahoo! Autos. 

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

Tree fuschia (Fuchsia excorticata) would be my guess. It is in flower now
and the blue pollen definitely shows on bellbirds.

Cheers,

Neil.

 

 

Neil Fitzgerald

www.neilfitzgeraldphoto.co.nz

  _____  

From: BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:BIRDING-NZ AT yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Steve & Vicki Wood
Sent: Sunday, 7 October 2007 5:20 p.m.
To: BIRDING-NZ
Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] Unusal coloured Tui.

 

Hi folks,
Spent the last few hours around the Tui feeder, trying to get over this 
morning disaster which we won't dwell on, and had a strangely marked Tui 
with an indigo blue colouring (same colour as the primaries,tail,rump) 
immediately around the bill,above and below unlike anything else I have seen

before. My first thoughts was what was it feeding from?. We are all familiar

with the yellow caps they inherit from the flax flowers but blue?.....any 
thoughts? I guess it must be a natural pigment in the feathers.
Managed to get a photo if anyone's keen to see it.

Cheers Steve.



 



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

Hi folks,
Spent the last few hours around the Tui feeder, trying to get over this 
morning disaster which we won't dwell on, and had a strangely marked Tui 
with an indigo blue colouring (same colour as the primaries,tail,rump) 
immediately around the bill,above and below unlike anything else I have seen 
before. My first thoughts was what was it feeding from?. We are all familiar 
with the yellow caps they inherit from the flax flowers but blue?.....any 
thoughts?  I guess it must be a natural pigment in the feathers.
Managed to get a photo if anyone's keen to see it.

Cheers Steve.
 

Hi all
   
 A stunning day to kick off our Hauraki Gulf summer pelagics � great day for 
watching seabirds! 

   
 We departed Sandspit Landing 0830hrs with an enthusiastic group of birders; 
conditions dead calm at the wharf and in the estuary, clear skies/0% cloud and 
low tide. In Kawau Bay spied some activity close to the Tawharanui shoreline � 
gannets, pied shags, a couple of black shags, white-fronted terns and 
red-billed gulls onto bait fish in the shallows. Outside Takatu Point we picked 
up the forecast nor-westerly (all of 10kns); the occasional fluttering 
shearwater zipping through as we headed out into open water; white-fronted 
terns and red-billed gulls looking busy; and a group of Buller�s shearwaters 
resting up. We followed something of a meandering course northwards to the 
outer reaches of the Hauraki Gulf; plenty of gannet action although birds very 
widespread with no real centre to the activity. Small numbers of Buller�s, 
fluttering and flesh-footed shearwaters amongst them. By NW Reef (NW of Little 
Barrier Island) we were seeing white-faced storm petrels in reasonable 

 numbers, also Cook�s petrels, common diving petrels and little shearwaters. 
Little response to a chumming session so moved out towards the Mokohinaus and 
Groper Rock. Numbers of stormies steadily grew, also more Buller�s shearwaters. 
At our second chumming stop (again little response from the birds) we spied 
upwind drifts of red algae. When we checked these out a black-winged petrel 
waltzed through. Just south of Groper Rock our third chumming session gave us 
little to report again although the stormies started to show a bit of interest. 
Nice views of Cook�s petrels plus a distant view of a cape petrel (Snares). 
Plenty of diving petrels both sides of Groper Rock. We snuck in close to this 
burrow-riddled island and a chance to chat about the birds breeding on these 
seabird islands (most of islands are nature reserves with no landing 
permitted). About a mile (nm) north of Groper another chumming session when 
things started to look promising but despite having Buller�s, 

 fluttering and flesh-footed shearwaters passing by the only real takers were 
six white-faced stormies. Our chum seemed to be more a bird repellent, rather 
than attractant! Still, the conditions were great and by this time everyone was 
tucking into lunches. 

 We continued further out and after seeing a few big groups of Buller�s 
shearwaters (< 30) resting on the water, 3nm NNE of Groper came across a sight 
that explained (well sort of) why so few birds were coming to our chumming. 
Clearly there was plenty of natural food around. 100s of fluttering 
shearwaters, some in groups actively chasing prey in frantic rushes; others 
resting in long drifts with white-faced stormies dancing amongst them, some 
flesh-footed shearwaters (resting), one fairy prion (sort of �hoovering� 
around) and one black petrel (also resting). We worked our way through a couple 
of these groups for closer views including the fairy prion (great views) and 
black petrel (not to be seen again after it moved off with the group it was 
with). Plenty of diving petrels moving in all directions throughout this time. 
About a mile further out we stopped to chum again; we could see downwind large 
numbers of stormies (100s) active over a large area. But once again only a 

 few birds came in real close, mostly fleshies. Still we did add sooty and 
short-tailed shearwaters to the day�s list. Then after a while, despite the 
lack of interest from the white-faced stormies, the first NZ storm petrel for 
the 2007/2008 summer came dashing in. This bird stayed with us for about 20mins 
for excellent views at times. With our slick quite widespread and with plenty 
of birds in the near vicinity (including white-faced stormies sitting on the 
water) we decided to lift the sea anchor and quietly stooge around. At this 
point two more NZSPs flew in together. By the time we headed downwind, across 
the north side of the Mokohinau Islands and towards Maori Rocks, we�d seen 3 
definite NZSPs, possibly a 4th going on appearance. North of Burgess we could 
see plenty of Buller�s shearwaters moving through in a fairly steady stream, 
appearing to be heading for the Poor Knights Islands where they breed. Also saw 
more little shearwaters (occasional) and sooty 

 shearwaters, mostly individuals, sometimes in small groups. At Maori Rocks 
there were Buller�s shearwaters galore on the water, some feeding with schools 
of trevally; along with fluttering shearwaters and white-fronted terns. The 
gannets on the main stacks were nest building, courting, mating, resting and 
flying in and out. With the good conditions we were able to nudge in pretty 
close for excellent views. Large groups of red-billed gulls and white-fronted 
terns were roosting on some of the low rocks. At nearby Fanal Island we checked 
out a NZ fur seal that Brett has seen a few days earlier when fishing; to find 
there were two, one an immature (prob. male), the other a good-sized male. Fur 
seals are still relatively rare in northern NZ, more common on the west coast 
than the east (Hauraki Gulf) side of the island. Above the cliffs flax plants 
(Phormium cookianum) were in flower, with plenty of tuis (honeyeaters) feeding 
on them, when not scrapping amongst themselves. 

 At 1600hrs we started making our way back, stopping first at Simpsons Rock 
(nothing happening) then a little further south (about halfway to Little 
Barrier) after picking up diving petrels, white-faced stormies, Cook�s petrels 
and gannet activity. This time while chumming we got a steady stream of 
stormies to the slick, great views of Cook�s petrels and about 20 or so 
attendant flesh-footed shearwaters. Over the period of 80mins we had 200+ 
white-faced storm petrels and at least 10 (possibly as many as 16) NZSPs (with 
4 the most seen at once), a very nice return. No black petrels (one of the 
local Hauraki Gulf endemics) but a couple of grey-faced petrels swung in close. 
Sooties kept on going through in ones and twos. At 1830hrs it was time to 
really be heading home, and we had a small group of common dolphins keeping us 
company for a while. Plenty of Cook�s petrel action close to Little Barrier 
Island (their main breeding ground) which was bathed in a golden 

 late-afternoon light, a stunning backdrop and reminder of how precious these 
Hauraki Gulf islands are for seabirds. West of LBI yet more gannet activity, 
then as we closed in on Takatu Point (deep orange sunset by this time) more and 
more diving petrels (flying helter-skelter towards the inner Gulf, Tiri/Wooded 
Island presumably), a large pod of common dolphins (20+) and good numbers of 
Buller�s, fluttering and flesh-footed shearwaters as challenging silhouettes 
before the light went. Also blue penguins when we were close to the headland 
and in Kawau Bay. 

 We were back at Sandspit at 2030hrs � a long, satisfying day; especially 
satisfying to report the return to the Hauraki Gulf of NZ storm petrels for the 
fifth summer season in a row. 

   
  Seabirds seen:
  Cook�s petrel
  Black-winged petrel
  Grey-faced petrel
  Black (Parkinson�s) petrel 
  Cape petrel
  Buller�s shearwater
  Flesh-footed shearwater
  Fluttering shearwater
  Sooty shearwater
  Short-tailed shearwater
  Little shearwater
  Fairy prion
  Common diving petrel
  White-faced storm petrel
  NZ storm petrel
  Blue penguin
  Australasian gannet
  Pied shag
  Black shag (great cormorant)
  White-fronted tern
  Red-billed gull
  Black-backed gull
   
   
  Other birds:
  Tui
  NZ Bellbird
  Australasian harrier
  Welcome swallow
  Starling
   
  Marine mammals
  Common dolphin
  NZ fur seals
   
 Just a word on the presentation of these reports: Our approach is to regard 
the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, marine environment and seabirds as a complete 
system and we work to that premise. As an account of the day these internet 
postings will reflect something of this perspective. While our focus is 
seabirds (and getting people to see them) our ongoing study is to plot 
occurrence (seabirds are counted throughout each trip) against variable 
environmental conditions (wind, tide, sea state, sea temperature, plankton 
occurrence and so forth) building up over time a picture of the dynamics at 
play. NB the route of each pelagic will vary from trip to trip, although we do 
repeat a number of set locations each time we head out (conditions permitting). 
We also separate birds seen while cruising from birds attracted through 
chumming. 

   
  Happy seabirding � and au revoir! (oh by, what a match)
   
  Chris Gaskin
  Pterodroma Pelagics NZ


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

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Driftwood Eco Tours 
To:  
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 7:22 AM
Subject: glossy ibis returns


Hi ,
Last night Rose and I spotted the Glossy Ibis for the 2nd time this week. 
Earlier in the week saw it on the wetland in front of our house with a pair of 
White Faced Herons then shortly afterwards joined by a White Heron which is 
fairly permanent resident here. 

The ibis was in very good condition compared to last year but still had the 
damaged leg which hangs down in flight. 

Will
DRIFTWOOD ECO-TOURS LIMITED
R.D.3. Dillon's Point Road
Marlborough, New Zealand

Cell Ph: 
will AT driftwoodecotours.co.nz
CHECK OUT WILL'S BLOG AT THE WEB SITE
www.driftwoodecotours.com

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

Report received today from DOC staff member Rosemary Vander Lee that an adult 
female New Zealand shore plover released on Mana Island on 22 June and seen at 
Henley Lake (Masterton) on 15 August was today seen on top of her old aviary at 
the National Wildlife Centre, Mt Bruce. She then came to ground and was easily 
caught and returned to captivity. There is a good reason why the majority of 
releasees are recently fledged young, with adult birds only being released if 
no longer required for captive breeding. 


Colin Miskelly

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

Hi all,

This was just posted to the birding-aus mailing list.  If anyone can help
Richard can they contact him directly?

Thanks,
Chris

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dr Richard Nowotny 
Date: Oct 4, 2007 8:51 AM
Subject: [Birding-Aus] Seeking birding contact in Christchurch, NZ
To: birding-aus AT vicnet.net.au

I would appreciate hearing from any Christchurch-based birder on this list
(or contact details for a Christchurch-based birder).

Richard NOWOTNY

Port Melbourne, Victoria

M: 



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

Hi folks, 

Here's about the best summary I've seen covering the figure 8 migration
of Sooty Shearwaters around the Pacific/

Cheers

AC



http://terranature.org/sootyShearwaterMigration.htm

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Hi all

Am just back from a month in Vietnam. Great to hear it is
all go here, with spring advancing even if the godwits are a
little hard to find.

Waders and seabirds aside, we don't see a lot of migration
actually happening in NZ. I had an amazing experience while
in Vietnam which you may find of interest (if a little
off-topic). We were at sea out of sight of land in the Gulf
of Tonkin off northern Vietnam 10 days ago while the
southward migration was in full swing. On this amazing day
we had birds landing on the ship all morning, coming in off
the fairly calm sea from the north, with many staying and
even feeding on board (the small insectivores). There were:

Asian Koel  - 1 juv
Black-capped Kingfisher - 5+
White Wagtail (with Yellow and Grey Wagtails on other days -
1 of each, with others heard)
Oriental Reed Warbler - at least 2
Orange-headed Thrush - 1
Spotted Bush Warbler - 1
Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler - 2
and an unidentified rock thrush - probably Chestnut-bellied,
5+  - plus a number of other LBJs

Flying south but not landing were Cattle Egret (a flock),
Striated Heron (c.10), Chinese Pond Heron (flocks),
White-breasted Kingfisher and Barn Swallow. 

Perhaps the oddest find - the morning prior there was a juv
Slaty-breasted Rail found perched incongruously on a zodiac.
It stayed for several hours before disappearing - hopefully
to more suitable habitat - while we were at anchor close
inshore.

During this time there was not a single real seabird to be
seen!!

Cheers
Tony


========
Tony Crocker
7 Vangelis Lane, Christchurch 8012, New Zealand
ph. , mobile 
"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment" -
Hilaire Belloc�

Just received an Email from DOC in Twizel identifying previousy posted 
bird as either a D2 or E node hybrid.
By the way it seems there may be several hybrids  AT  Travis Wetland which 
could be of interest to school group tours 
Here is url to another possible, taken yesterday: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianrmc//
Ian McHenry

Thanks for your note Sav. If the bird is a shore plover (presumably from Mana 
Is) I hope that the colour band combination on both legs can be recognised and 
reported. It should be easy to do as the shore plovers are quite approachable. 
Better still, if someone can take a photograph of the bird. Comments on the 
birds behaviour and exactly what it was/is doing when observed would be 
appreciated. 


Thanks.

Ian Armitage


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sav Saville 
  To: Birding NZ 
 Cc: Viv McGlynn ; Brian Tyler ; claire shepherd ; Ian Andrew ; jennifer wasley 
; Kirsten Olsen ; Lindsay Davies ; Richard Norman ; Roger and Pam Slack ; 
suzanne orchard ; Wayne Salmons 

  Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 9:29 PM
  Subject: [BIRDING-NZ] Possible Shore Plover at Rangitikei Rivermouth


  Hi all,

  Just received word of what sounds like a SHORE PLOVER (presumably a Mana
  Island bird?) at the Rangitikei Estuary at Tangimoana. This is between
  Wanganui and Foxton, accessible from SH1 just east of Bulls , and from
  several roads off SH1 north of Foxton.

  No exact details of location, nor exactly when it was seen - I shall try to
  get some more info tomorrow.

  Sav Saville

  Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ

  23 Duke Street

  Feilding 

  New Zealand

  

  sav AT wrybill-tours.com

  www.wrybill-tours.com

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



   

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

Hi ,
Last night Rose and I spotted the Glossy Ibis for the 2nd time this week. 
Earlier in the week saw it on the wetland in front of our house with a pair of 
White Faced Herons then shortly afterwards joined by a White Heron which is 
fairly permanent resident here. 

The ibis was in very good condition compared to last year but still had the 
damaged leg which hangs down in flight. 

Will
DRIFTWOOD ECO-TOURS LIMITED
R.D.3. Dillon's Point Road
Marlborough, New Zealand

Cell Ph: 
will AT driftwoodecotours.co.nz
CHECK OUT WILL'S BLOG AT THE WEB SITE
www.driftwoodecotours.com

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

Last Saturday in Sth Canterbury at family farm spotted a black fantail. Very 
similar to the one many of us have observed at the Hamilton Gardens. Had the 
distinctive white fleck on the side of the head and very like Neil's great 
photos of the Hamilton black fantail that are on his website. Farm is situated 
close to the sea, on Maori Rd, Morven, Waimate district. The bird was flitting 
out from exotic trees lining the driveway and it was flying across the paddock 
nearby and then back to balance on the fencewire. Very like the behaviour I 
observed at the H. Gardens. Luckily had the binocs handy as was busy helping 
with lambs etc at the time. One of my farming brothers, when I pointed it out, 
made the quick comment, "it is afterall the Maori Rd."! 


Pied oystercatcher pair are there but no sign of the pied stilts yet.
Barbara
 

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

Hi all,

 

Just received word of what sounds like a SHORE PLOVER (presumably a Mana
Island bird?) at the Rangitikei Estuary at Tangimoana. This is between
Wanganui and Foxton, accessible from SH1 just east of Bulls , and from
several roads off SH1 north of Foxton.

 

No exact details of location, nor exactly when it was seen - I shall try to
get some more info tomorrow.

 

Sav Saville

Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ

 

23 Duke Street

Feilding 

New Zealand



sav AT wrybill-tours.com

www.wrybill-tours.com

 



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

On a drive to Wellington my brief Saturday afternoon (29-9-07) stop 
at Waikanae Estuary proved most worthwhile. 

A pair of spoonbills, the pair of brown teal and a little egret all 
showing.

The brown teal were resting on the edge of the lagoon which lies 
between Tutere St and Major Durie Pl, close to the carpark on the 
Waikanae side of the estuary.

The little egret and spoonbills were all feeding in the estuary, well 
visible from the above mentioned carpark. 

I suspect there was a third spoonbill around, but cannot be certain 
it was not a member of the same pair. Perhaps they are regular 
visitors to the estuary anyway?

No luck with the chestnut teal however. 

Not bad for a brief first visit. Looking forward to a return trip.

James Crowe

Hi
Quick visit to Maketu yesterday between showers. Numbers slowly building up... 

Barwits c.4/500
Pacific golden plover 7
Knot 2

Seven cattle egret still at Kaituna Rd meadows - some showing good colour and 
one white heron at Matata. 

Cheers
Tim 

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

Hiya
Numbers slowly building up... 

Barwits c.4/500
Pacific golden plover 7
Knot 2

Seven cattle egret still at Kaituna Rd meadows - some showing good colour.  
One white heron at Matata.
Cheers
Tim 

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