BirdingNZ.net

Glossy Ibis aren't real. They're alien spy droids built to avoid detection and report Intel back to planet X.

Yes Adam, a couple of us were there today late morning, and with the high tide approaching, nearly everything left. 20 minutes before H T, there were only the Teal left. About 80 minutes before high tide, there was one Black-t Godwit, 3 F E Curlew, c300 Grey Teal, Wrybill, 49 R Spoonbill and Pied Stilts. The Ibis was once again, conspicuous by its absence.

Cheers, Grahame

Yep one bird I can't pin down around Christchurch either!

Visited the site around mid tide Saturday (so too early for the arctic wader roost), however the local Cattle Egret flock was conspicuous (11 at least) in amongst some cows east of Campbell Rd. I put my scope on them and there was Mr Ibis poking around too. Later saw it flying with 5 egrets to another paddock closer to the hwy. Obviously still associated with the white dudes.

Russ and Lisa C

From about 90 minutes after high tide today, very little water for a 3.5m tide. However, the Black-t and Hudsonian Godwits were both there and one F E Curlew, which flew away shortly after my arrival. 51 Royals, but unable to locate the Cattle Egrets or Ibis as short on time.

Cheers, Grahame

Where is this? My google search doesn't help.

Take the S25 from Waitakaruru towards Kopu. After passing the Bugger Café, look for Campbell Road on your left. Take Campbell Road to its end, them turn left onto unsealed Shelly Beach Road. Pass two houses on the right, and immediately after passing the second, turn right up incline (temporarily between two cones) onto the bank. The flood plain is on the left hand side. It is possible to continue along the track until just before reaching a gate to turn around rather then reversing back down on S B Road. Its is advisable to park leaving enough room for the cyclists who use the track. If you feel energetic, park at gate and continue walking, shortly after turning right there are views to be had looking through the bushes into a marshy area on the left. The Glossy Ibis occasionally uses this marsh.

Good hunting, Grahame

Had a great day today. 2 hudwits, 2 Blackwits (one in breeding plumage), 3 curlew, 1 glossy ibis and 15 cattle egret amongst the usuals today.

Got there 30 mins before high tide and stayed for a couple of hours.

Tried for galah on way home but had no joy.

Of note around high tide today were:
3 far eastern curlew
1 hudsonian godwits
1 kotuku
46 spoonbill
Searched hard for the cattle egrets and ibis, and galahs on the way home, all without success.

High tide today (a very low neap one), no water flowed into the field. Hence the field only contained 45 R Spoonbill, Wrybill and Pied Stilt and Grey Teal. Four Bar t Godwits flew in later. As Russ pointed out, the Cattle Egrets often are in the fields. As the name "Cattle" Egret indicates, they like to be around Cattle, so today they were in with the largest herd, and when they took flight, the Ibis was with them. A flock of Godwits flew a few circuits of the fields with one Black and two Hudsonian with them. Later the three E Curlew flew around, but as with the Godwits, did not land.
Cheers, Grahame