Maketu/Little Waihi 2021

[Tim Barnard]

Had a good walk around the Waewaetukituki Wetlands this morning at the southern end of the Little Waihi estuary. One bittern showing well and great views of a couple of Fernbird - heard and saw six in all.

All the best,

Tim

[Tim Barnard]

Four sharp-tailed sandpipers, two turnstone, little tern and one Hudsonian godwit at the Te Pa Ika (Kaituna River Mouth) today. Fifty five Pacific golden plover too and all the usual's ...
Cheers
Tim

[erikforsyth]

Hi Tim

Excellent finds at Kaituna. I might pop in Sat/Sun and would be grateful for details as to where the Hudwit was hanging out?

Best regards
Erik
Rockjumper Birding Tours
www.rockjumperbirding.com

[Tim Barnard]

Morning Erik,
It was with a mob of 80 Bar-tailed godwit on the central spur (so were all the others). Find the second gate (near the pull in) and wander down. Hudwit's have been annual here for a few years now but this is the first I've seen this summer. In previous years Little Waihi has been the preferred location. Big tides at the moment so it probably got pushed over or could have dropped in from elsewhere in the Bay.
All the best
Tim

[erikforsyth]

Hi Tim

Will check the high tides

Many thanks
Erik
Rockjumper Birding Tours
wwwrockjumperbirding.com

[Tim Barnard]

Went back yesterday, no sign of the Hudwit or Turnstone at Te Pa Ika or Maketu Spit. Didn't get time to visit Little Waihi estuary but did have a look at Pukehina Spit - 42 Wrybill present and a couple of skua sp offshore attending a boil up.

[Tim Barnard]

Four Sharp-tailed sandpiper and a Little tern at Te Pa Ika yesterday. The site is looking quite good at the moment with good numbers of waders and wildfowl. Pretty quiet at Little Waihi and adjacent sites though its been good to see a few Banded rail recently around both estuaries.

Cheers

Tim

[Tim Barnard]

Still much the same, four Sharp-tailed sands at Te Pa Ika usually roosting down the spur next to the gate. Little tern still present. Good numbers of Pacific golden plover too. Checked the gulls around the estuary Harry, but found nothing out the ordinary (yet).

A stormy few days coming - hopefully the winds will blow something in...

Tim

[harryhatman]

Cheers for checking mate

[Tim Barnard]

Four Sharp-tailed sandpiper still at Te Pa Ika (Kaituna) with 43 Pacific Golden Plover. Good numbers of Wrybill on Pukehina Spit (132) and just picking up on the Miranda link, I've not seen a Red-necked stint here this year - its been an annual for many years.