The annual migration of this Arctic wader across the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand has to be one of the most amazing feats of navigation, speed and endurance of any living animal. This journey, flying non-stop from their breeding grounds on the Alaskan tundra to their wintering grounds in New Zealand, a distance of around 11,700km, is achieved in just 8-9 days. To do this they must average speeds of around 55kph. By the time they reach here they will have lost 50% of their bod

The banded dotterel is approximately half the size of the Northern NZ dotterel, and is only present on our local beaches and harbour during the winter months. Up to 80 banded dotterels have been observed roosting at Whangamata in recent winters, usually alongside flocks of NZ dotterels. Sometimes they gather at the Beach Road wader roost site but often move around to other Whangamatā beach and harbour sites. Male banded dotterel in breeding plumage. Photo credit Bevan Walker.

Fernbirds do not fall into a 'commonly seen' category. They are a unique species in many ways, not the least being their secretive but sometimes inquisitive behaviours. Enigmatic is possibly the best way to describe them. They are more often heard than seen. Most sightings are usually very brief as having satisfied their curiosity as to what has disturbed them these birds quickly disappear back into their densely vegetated territories. Their very weak flying abilities and hab

Stilts are a cosmopolitan species occurring right around the world in tropical and warm temperate regions. Our population of pied stilts are thought to have colonised New Zealand as recently as the early 1800's and currently number around 30,000. This rapid colonisation is thought to have occurred as a result of the clearance and conversion of lowland swamp forest into seasonally wet grassland. Their numbers have remained stable around this level over the past 50 years. Their

These birds, both visually and vocally, are one of the more distinctive of our harbour's birdlife. Both the variable oystercatcher (tōrea pango) and the more common pied oystercatcher (tōrea) can be seen on our beaches, harbour and estuarine areas. Variable oystercatcher (left) photo by John Adams. Pied oystercatcher (right) photo by Bevan Walker. In earlier years the variable oystercatcher was known as the North Island Pied Oystercatcher (NIPO) and the South Island species

This Northern New Zealand dotterel was tettering on the edge of extinction up until their plight was recognised in the late 1980's and conservation action initiated. At that time their population was restricted to beaches in Northland, Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. They numbered around 800 birds and were rapidly declining. Northern NZ Dotterel - breeding colours. Photo credit John Adams By 2011, due to the introduction of predator controls and nest protection measu