We’ve just updated the publications page with the August and November 2011 issues of Miranda Naturalists’ Trust News. Have a look and learn about vagrency, Chatham Island Shorebirds and details about the threats that Red Knots are facing in Bohai
April 2012 sightings
Those godwit and knot intending to migrate this year are most likely all gone, leaving just several hundred of each species in residence. However those godwits that steadily departed since early March may well be wondering about the wisdom of
Flyway Partnership Meeting, Indonesia

Miranda Naturalists’ Trust (MNT) was represented at the 6th meeting of partners of the East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership held at Palembang, Indonesia 19-23 March, 2012. The partnership is a voluntary network of governments, NGOs and corporations with a common
Miranda Field Course 2012
Images from our recently completed 14th annual Miranda Field Course. Edited to add: for a participants view of the Field course read this blog! Enrollments are now open for the next course, 9-15 January, 2013. Giant kokopu and koura. Photo:
January 2012 sightings
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
Visitors: welcome and unwelcome
These four bittern chicks raised near the Shorebird Centre were most welcome…. This Australian assisted immigrant photographed in our central courtyard this week was not.
New bird hide for Miranda

The result of a very successful working bee last weekend is a new hide. Considerably larger and more elaborate than the current hide, it was built at the shorebird centre, then dismantled and taken down to the shell bank. It
December-11 Sightings
Banded Rail are still being seen regularly in the mangroves at the carpark gate. Look back once you’ve parked your car. There have also been several sightings of Bittern in tha area lately. The Marsh sandpiper is still being seen
Join us for our next Field Course January 2012

Our six day Field Course covers a lot of ground! intensive and fun! Join us from the 21st to 27th of January. Ornithology Shorebird identification catching and banding birds bird structure with a dissection shorebird monitoring techniques data collection and
November-11 Sightings
The Miranda high tide roost is now covered in godwits and knots, including many juvenile godwits. Wrybill numbers are down to about 100 with all others away on their breeding grounds. The two gull-billed terns are still regulars near the