Every now and then, if you’re watching birds around the harbour, you may notice something small and unusual on a bird’s legs. It might be a metal band, a coloured band, or a combination of several colours. U63 – Black billed gull showing off it's band These bands are part of an important conservation and research tool that helps scientists, conservation groups and wildlife managers understand where birds go, how long they live, how they use different habitats, and what challe

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our Autumn 5 Minute Bird Count in May. Over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of May, volunteers spent five minutes observing and recording the birds they could see and hear at sites around the harbour. These counts are a simple but powerful way to help us build a long-term picture of bird populations across the area. What Did We See? This autumn, 26 checklists were completed, recording 583 individual birds across 28 species. Of the

The two species of gulls most commonly seen on and around our harbour and beach areas are the Southern black-backed gull (Karoro) and the red-billed gull (Tarāpunga). Nationally, both species are abundant with the red-bills occurring in much greater numbers locally. Red-billed gull (left), black-backed gull (right). Photo credit Corinne Bowie. In recent years the red-billed gull has suffered declines at their main breeding colonies. These losses are thought to be associated w

The white-faced heron (sometimes mistakenly called a blue heron) and the reef heron are both known as Matuku moana. White-faced heron. Photo credit Bevan Walker The white-faced heron is the species most commonly seen in New Zealand and is present in large numbers throughout. As its name indicates it can be recognised by its distinctive white face, neck and throat. The overall plumage colour is two-toned bluish grey, with black bill and yellow-green legs. It is a recently self

The Caspian Tern is a cosmopolitan species found in many localities throughout the world. It is thought to be a recent coloniser to New Zealand with sub-fossil remains found rarely and sightings not recorded by early naturalists until about 1860. Their population has increased slowly since then and now numbers around 1300-1400 pairs. Although widespread throughout the country they are still considered uncommon with numbers appearing to have declined since the 1990s. Their con

The pūkeko, also known as the Australasian swamphen or purple gallinule, is a member of the family of birds known as “Rails”. This family also includes a number of other species also found in New Zealand including the takahē, banded rail, weka and Australian coot. Its most famous cousin amongst these birds is the rare flightless takahē (or Notornis), now found naturally only in the Murchison mountains west of Lake Te Anau. Pūkeko. Photo credit Corinne Bowie Pūkeko have benefi