Michael Szabo wrote:In the spirit of helping to improve on this, at this time of year it should be possible to get almost all the same species you saw walking to/from Red Rocks from the western entrance to Island Bay by the 'Mermaid Rocks'. That spot is closer to the #1 bus stop and involves a much shorter walk which should save you about an hour. It's also a good spot to seawatch from and I often see Sacred Kingfisher and Reef Heron from there. Check the beach for NZ Pipit, they are sometimes seen there after strong westerlies.
I find that the only place I usually see the pipits is down at the Red Rocks end of that beach, which is why I start with that. Also because it's at the start you can walk down there before dawn and before the buses are running, so you don't waste too much time. But then if you don't see a Pipit it does feel like wasted effort!