Mahia/Gisborne highlights

[RussCannings]

Hi all,

Had a free weekend so headed over to one of my favourite areas in the country--the Wairoa/Gisborne districts. Was just a quick pass through, and mixed in some beach time but here are a few birding highlights:

Whinray Reserve (Motu Valley)--Took in the lunar eclipse up there on Friday night with a background chorus of weka and morepork (and a few distant kiwi). Camped near the north end of the reserve. Surprisingly quiet at night (other than the previously mentioned species), as the crickets were completely silent. Unfortunate to see so many possums in the reserve during my night walk. Didn't see any kiwi (though one likely scuffling nearby) but neat to get in the bush and poke around for bugs etc on a late summer evening.

Mahia--
Once again I dipped on Brown Quail (not for lack of trying), but had gorgeous views of a Bittern in morning light, and there were 3 whimbrel on the main estuary. I took the unsealed backroad in from Morere and couldn't get over the clouds of young yellowhammers on the road (4,000+ easily in a 5km stretch).

Wairoa--
Unfortunately the waders near the main river mouth were roosting on the far bank so wasn't able to get the best view, but there was a lone wrybill in with the gowits and dots. No sign of the Little Tern that is usually around. Mud conditions were optimal in the area between Whakaki and Te Paeroa Lagoon. Probably the most Black-billed Gulls I've ever seen there (~300) and the usual good numbers of stilts, spoonbills, and waterfowl, however nothing surprising and only a few bandies on the mudflats (no artic waders). Nice to see the esplanade area significantly tidied up and re-grassed after all the horrible flooding they had. Still lots of logs near the mouth.

Te Wherowhero Lagoon/Waipaoa river mouth (south of Gisborne).-- Tramped around in the mud at mid tide from the Muriwai (south) end of the main lagoon. Nothing unusual but when I drove around to Gisborne and checked the Waipaoa River from the north side, there was a kotuku (Great Egret) as well as a good number of bandies and godwits along with a half dozen wrybill.

SH 35 (Around the East Cape)-- I camped at Tokomaru Bay and enjoyed taking in some of my favourite beaches/swim spots on the East Cape road and checked most of the river mouths for waders. Nothing too surprising but lucked into two Gisborne lifers--a Reef Heron near the north end of Tokomaru Bay (only took me like 8 or 9 visits to the district to see one!) and a Black-fronted dotterel at the mouth of the Waiapu River near Tikitiki. Didn't spot any emu this time around.

There's a little wetland along SH35 just west of the Potaka (or the turnoff to Lottin Point). This is just east of Cape Runaway. I have always wanted to check it for fernbird but have always had cranky kids in the car etc. Finally managed it this time around and sure enough one was already ticking when I opening the door despite it being a hot afternoon. This is the first record for the area (on eBird) so nice to confirm another spot (Have had them near Te Araroa previously).

I think that pretty much covers it. Always love visiting that area. Still haven't hiked Hikurangi so that'll be another quest!

Russ C
Morrinsville, NZ