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

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

The grey-faced petrel, also known as the Northern muttonbird, is a species of petrel endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. It is rarely seen in the sheltered waters of the Whangamatā Harbour but is often observed soaring fast and gracefully over the waves in search of their food sources in the deeper seawaters around the Coromandel peninsular. They generally feed alone but sometimes in small flocks, when seeking their favoured food squid. Grey-faced Petrel. Photo credit

The Royal Spoonbill is a naturally occurring self introduced species from Australia. It was first recorded in New Zealand in 1861 at Castlepoint on the Wairarapa coast. Sightings gradually increased in following years with the first breeding record occurring alongside the white heron colony at Okarito Lagoon in South Westland in 1949. Royal Spoonbill. Photo credit Corinne bowie. Since then it has successfully colonised New Zealand with numerous new small breeding colonies no

The banded rail is another of the Whangamatā Harbours' rarely seen secretive species. They spend a large proportion of their days feeding close to and beneath the dense saltmarsh and mangrove vegetation along the harbour fringes. It is a member of the “rail” family which includes the much better known birds such as weka, pukeko and takahe. Banded rail - photo by Corinne Bowie Previously inhabiting a wide variety of habitats throughout New Zealand and outlying islands it is no

Whangamatā Harbour Birds This protected, critically endangered species is present in very small numbers and seen only very occasionally in the freshwater wetlands adjoining the Whangamatā Harbour and the Otahu Estuary. They also occur in small numbers on the nearby Wharekawa Harbour wetlands, to the north of Whangamatā. Because of their cryptic plumage, secretive nature and habitat of feeding mainly at night, their presence often goes undetected. photo © copyright: Imogen War