New Bird
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New Bird
I spotted and photographed a Dunnock on Waiheke Island on May 2018
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Re: New Bird
Nice! I was on Mt Taranaki a couple of weeks ago and heard lots of birds calling from the scrub around the hut, but I couldn't see them to identify them. Then one finally popped up onto a branch and it was a Dunnock! So secretive. Didn't see anymore after that.
Vaughan Turner
Birding Remotely
Birding Remotely
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Re: New Bird
Great to know that they are around. I hadnt seen one since I was young in Matamata district. 50 years ago. I posted because on the internet it says they are quite rare up nth.
- RussCannings
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Re: New Bird
Yes, in my experience they are quite scarce (but present) in much of the northern Waikato and the Auckland region but seem to be common again in much of rural Northland--so not just about avoiding the heat! (They become increasingly abundant the further south you go in the country).
Around Auckland and Hamilton areas, the more rural you go the better (unlike, say, Dunedin where they're common lawn birds) ideally with lots of scrubby cover in gullies or along hillsides. In places like the foothills of Karioi or the Hunuas, Whatipu area and Coromandel, they are locally common. Because of their secretive nature and superficial similarity to a sparrow, they are probably under-detected elsewhere in the region.
Therefore knowing both the song and contact call (both quite distinctive once learned) is often the first hint at their presence.
If you're in Waiheke, watch out for Cirl Buntings (rumored to be present). An even more mysterious bird on the North Island!
Russ C
Morrinsville, NZ
Around Auckland and Hamilton areas, the more rural you go the better (unlike, say, Dunedin where they're common lawn birds) ideally with lots of scrubby cover in gullies or along hillsides. In places like the foothills of Karioi or the Hunuas, Whatipu area and Coromandel, they are locally common. Because of their secretive nature and superficial similarity to a sparrow, they are probably under-detected elsewhere in the region.
Therefore knowing both the song and contact call (both quite distinctive once learned) is often the first hint at their presence.
If you're in Waiheke, watch out for Cirl Buntings (rumored to be present). An even more mysterious bird on the North Island!
Russ C
Morrinsville, NZ
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Re: New Bird
On the 8th of May I managed to get a couple of photos of a Dunnock in Cooney Res Omokoroa. We see about 3 a year in this area.
Cheers Allan.
Cheers Allan.
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Re: New Bird
I have a photo but cant figure out how to post it
- simon.fordham
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Re: New Bird
I was also on Taranaki (catching riflemen) recently. I heard a few dunnocks in the bush, but did not see any (I think one of the teams may have caught one).
However, up at the Visitor Centre, a number were seen hopping around the carpark and building.
However, up at the Visitor Centre, a number were seen hopping around the carpark and building.
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Re: New Bird
I see Dunnock quite regularly in Whakawerawera forest. The cut over areas are also good for finches. Once in a while we will get a Dunnock in our garden at Lake Okareka
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Re: New Bird
They are probably the most abundant passerine out on Ohinau Island (part of the Mercury’s) where we do some work. This has always seemed quite strange to me