Wrybill and Pied Oystercatcher numbers are increasing as South Island breeding birds return. Bittern have been confirmed breeding at Miranda for the first time since records began, with four well developed juveniles seen in late December. The sub-tropical weather system over New Year was probably the explanation for the Northern Giant Petrel seen flying in the vicinity of the new hide, an appearance that caused some agitation among the roosting waders. Little Whimbrel and Curlew Sandpiper are welcome additions! There has been just one recent record of Gull-billed tern – a bird in breeding plumage suggesting it was a different individual to the two that were regularly seen here until late last year.
Migrants and Vagrants
4900 Bar-tailed Godwit
3800 Red Knot
21 Turnstone
14 Golden Plover
8 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
2 Red-necked Stint
1 Marsh Sandpiper
1 Little Whimbrel
1 Curlew Sandpiper
1 Gull-billed Tern
1 Little Tern
NZ Species
800+ Wrybill
South Island Pied Oystercatchers
Pied Stilt
12 royal Spoonbill
New Zealand Dotterel
Variable Oystercatcher
Banded Rail
Black-billed Gull colony
White fronted tern
21 Caspian tern
1 Giant Petrel
Bittern and chicks
Banded Rail regularly seen near the car park gate