The Shorebird Centre runs a number of bird and nature-focused courses each year. Taught by experts in their fields, these hands-on courses provide a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills while spending time in the peaceful, natural environment of the Pūkorokoro area.
Pūkorokoro Field Course
The Field Course is perfect for any naturalist. Topics covered in past courses have included geology, botany, and entomology, but with a focus on birds, identification, catching, and details on ecology of some of our shorebirds.
Frequency: Every January
Duration: 7 days
Information: To register your interest and find out about availability for the next course email admin@shorebirds.org.nz.
Next Course: 6th – 12th January 2027
Wader Identification Course
The Wader ID Course is a great introduction to the wonderful world of shorebirds. Time is split between sessions in the classroom, covering topics such as bird identification, bird taxonomy, counting birds and shorebird ecology, and time spent in the field, putting this knowledge into practice.
Frequency: Once a year – October or November
Duration: 2.5 days
Next Course: 6th-8th November 2026
Information: To register your interest and find out about availability for the next course email admin@shorebirds.org.nz.
Dotterel Management Course
The Dotterel Management Course is a 1-day practical management workshop aimed at increasing the breeding success of Tūturiwhatu | Northern New Zealand Dotterel. The course is designed for Organisations involved in management of dotterels and their breeding sites, their agency staff and community volunteers.
Frequency: Once a year – August
Duration: 2 x 1-day course
Next Course: August 2026 – dates TBD
Information: To register your interest and to recieve information about the next course.register your interest by emailing admin@shorebirds.org.nz
Introduction to Astronomy
The Introduction to Astronomy is a great way to learn about the wonders of the Southern Night Sky. On our course we will discuss what we can find in our sky; star patterns/constellations and the clusters, galaxies and nebulae, before a more practical session on how to see these celestial treasures with binoculars and small telescopes. The perfect course to lead us into Matariki!
Frequency: Once a year
Duration: 1 day/night
Information: To register your interest and find out about availability for the next course email admin@shorebirds.org.nz.
Nature Journaling Course
The Nature Journaling Course is a weekend with accomplished Whanganui artist and illustrator Sandra Morris here at the Pūkorokoro Shorebird Centre. Be inspired by the birds and natural history and practise your skills with other enthusiastic participants and guidance from Sandra.
Frequency: This is a 2-day weekend held once a year.
Information: For more information, pricing and/or to register please email admin@shorebirds.org.nz.
Next Course: 9th-11th April 2027
Printmaking
Printmaking Course
The Printmaking Course is a weekend with accomplished Whanganui artist and illustrator Sandra Morris here at the Pūkorokoro Shorebird Centre. Be inspired by the birds and natural history and learn the basics of intaglio (dry point) and relief printmaking (linocuts).
Frequency: This is a 2-day weekend held once a year.
Information: For more information, pricing and/or to register please email admin@shorebirds.org.nz.
Next Course: 11th – 13th September 2026