The godwits and knots are all here, and the juveniles are getting hard to spot. The Wrybill and South Island Pied Oystercatchers are returning from the breeding grounds so numbers are on the rise. The Black-billed Gulls nested successfully on the shellbanks,
Conserving Migratory Shorebirds Project update
University of Queensland Project Update 30th November 2013 9am – 1pm Miranda Shorebird Centre Millions of migratory shorebirds migrate from Arctic Russia and Alaska to Australia and New Zealand. We have discovered widespread population declines of staggering severity and rapidity,
Recent Sightings October 2013
There are plenty of godwits recently returned to Miranda, including a sprinkling of juveniles. The Black-billed Gulls appear to be attempting to breed on the shellbanks again this year and are keeping things chaotic. Its great to have the Red-necked
Sightings 20 May 2013
The big flocks of Arctic migrants have departed on their way north. By now the godwits should be heading to Alaska. The wrybill flock is now the highlight of the stilt ponds, with their flights looking stunning in the lower
Sightings March 10 2013
The flocks of Arctic migrants are beginning to diminish with several Godwit departures observed yesterday evening. According to what we now know of the migration schedules of individual birds, further departures can be expected right through until end of the
More on Bioblitz!
Some details on the day! The aims of this Bioblitz are: 1. To find out what species are present in the Taramaire-Miranda area. 2. To find out as much as possible about likely food web connections (including what epiphytes and
Bioblitz! Help us find a thousand species
MIRANDA BIOBLITZ – THE THOUSAND SPECIES CHALLENGE The Miranda Naturalists’ Trust (MNT) is organising a “Bioblitz” of the Miranda Coast between 6 a.m. and midnight on 28 February 2013. The area to be covered encompasses the coastal strip between
Recent sightings 10 Jan 2012
Wrybill and SIPO numbers are increasing daily as they return from their breeding grounds. The Shore Plover is still present as is the Marsh Sandpiper. Look for the banded rail by the carpark gate. Unfortunately it’s been too dry for
December-12 sightings
There has been much activity at Miranda recently with chicks hatching at the Black-billed Gull colony on the shell bank, and Pied Oystercatchers beginning to arrive back from the south. There should also be Wrybill heading back as well.
September 2012 sightings
It is changing of the guards time at Miranda. Wrybill numbers are now down to a few hundred as birds move south to their South Island breeding areas. Meanwhile Bar-tailed Godwits have begun returning to join the 250 or so