Arctic Tern, Karioitahi Beach

[Oscar Thomas]

Sharing on behalf of Paul G:
“Arctic Tern in flock of c260+ White Fronts @ Karioitahi beach this morning (24/7/22). Constantly flushed by scrambles motorcycles charging into the flock and dogs chasing them. Location on the tideline directly in ftont of main car park.
560 White Fronts there today (25/07/22), in four sub-flocks across a few hundred metres of tideline, still being harassed. No scrambles bikes or dogs today, just an old lady with her phone camera walking into the middle of them until every bird was aloft and screaming.
I assume that the Arctic was still amongst them but they weren't allowed to settle long enough to check.
Worth a visit, though. Biggest flock I've seen there in 16 years.”

[Ian McLean]

Hello Oscar
Myself & Trina were there at 3pm today & counted 700 white-fronted terns in one large flock. No smaller terns were amongst them, but there were 13 red-billed gulls & 1 Caspian Tern amongst them. The disturbance you mention sounds terrible, but there was only a few fishermen present & they seemed respectful of the birds whilst we were there. There were a few terns foraging further out & perhaps the Arctic was with them or has moved along. Definitely a bird to look out for if you live locally.
Cheers Ian

[Michael Szabo]

The Arctic Tern I found at Waikanae on 28th April was only ashore briefly with the White-fronted Tern flock there, so it's probably worth keeping an eye out for it among terns that fly in off the sea to join the flock and rest. It may only stay ashore for a brief time.