Birding places in Napier & Gisborne

[imogen]

I am visiting Napier and Gisborne in early January and was wondering if people can give me some tips on the best times and places to see some rarer birds like bitterns and reef herons.

Thanks

[tim]

Hi Imogen,
for Bittern the best place would be Waitangi "Theres a small pond on the other side of the railway tracks which is located between Napier and Clive."
I have seen the odd reef heron around the cape and far end of Ocean Beach but they are not common in Hawkes bay and are more common further north, best way to find one around Hawkes bay would be checking out the Black reef at low tide at the cape.
There is also whistling ducks and 2 little egrets as you may have seen in other discussions on this forum.

[imogen]

thanks for that. Any tips on Fernbirds and shore birds?

[Michael Szabo]

Hi Imogen - Ahuriri Estuary is probably the best place in Napier for shorebirds. It's easily accessible from a car park by the side of the main road between the town and the airport and there is a walking track that goes all the way around. It's best to go when it's either side of high tide. The "southern marsh" area often has a lot of waterfowl and some shorebirds, mostly at high tide. Westshore Lagoon near the airport is also very good for waterfowl and shorebirds. NZ Dabchick is usually present on here during the breeding season but I don't know if Fernbird occurs here. You can also see some shorebirds around the Tukituki River mouth when the tide is out, including Banded Dotterels on the lower part of the spit, and there are usually Black-billed Gulls and White-fronted terns in the area. The nearby Waitangi wetland is also good for waterfowl. Keep an eye out for Little Egrets here. Aus Bittern is also present sometimes.

Good luck,
Michael

[simon.fordham]

Don't forget the black-fronted dotterels.

They are usually easy to find between the airport and the bridge over the Lagoon, either on the seaward side (left hand side when driving away from the airport) of the main highway where there are small ponds or the opposite side at the intersection of the highway and a narrow road that bisects the lagoon.

If looking at the small ponds, you can safely drive off the highway and drive slowly along the wide grass verge (watch out for the lamposts!) in both directions. The birds are often visible without leaving your car, with the added advantage of a photographic opportunity as remaining in your vehicle minimizes disturbance.

At the other site, turn from the highway onto the "causeway" and immediately on your left is another narrow road leading to a carpark. At this corner, the birds are often seen foraging along the shoreline.

Good luck!
Simon