Black-tailed Godwit at Miranda

[RussCannings]

Stopped by Miranda in the glorious sunshine this morning. Among the usuals was a Black-tailed Godwit in full breeding plumage (in front of the godwit hide). Dipped on the bittern but apparently it was seen this morning and is still fairly regular in the wet areas between the Centre and the Stilt pond. Close to 300 shoveler was a nice count as well.

Russ

Ps Other Wakato notes: Still a large wintering shoveler flock (1,000+) on Lake Waikare, and I hear from Paul G that a White Heron has been showing well behind the Huntly Countdown. Also, if anyone likes flooded paddock birding, there's a great but little-birded one at Kopuku (south of Miranda) along Kopuku Rd. Not worth visiting the flats at Whangamarino as it's literally a lake now (not in a hood way).

[wghabbott]

Present this morning (Sunday)

[bombaydave2]

The white heron was on the river around countdown 6 years ago. I saw it sitting on building and regularly seen on river. Same one I presume?
Russ - do you ever check the cooling ponds near power station?

[RussCannings]

Hi Dave,

I reckon there are 1-2 white heron (kotuku) in the Huntly area each winter though they have a lot of options. Lake Kimihia and the pond on Ralph Rd are other haunts, I've seen one at Whangape, and there are a few hard to see wetlands around too.

I've never seen much on the station ponds myself. The sewage ponds in Huntly can be okay though (visible from the public RV sewage dump site).

Russ