Birding near Waiwera Beach

[simon.fordham]

A good spot for the Wenderholm banded rails is as follows:

Having turned into the entrance from the hiway, do not then turn right to go to the beach but keep going straght ahead to the water. Rails can be seen in the mangroves on the left, particularly around high tide.

Simon

[Christopher]

Hi, my grandparents live at Waiwera, so I go there often. While looking for the whales, it would be worth looking for birds too. Up the waiwera river there are usually reef and white-faced herons, caspian terns and kingfishers. In wenderholm regional park there are 22 nz robins, as well as lots of natives. To see the robins, you have to go fairly high up, but at the moment the track is a little slippery in some places. Nz dots will be breeding soon on the beach, as there were 3 breeding pairs + singles last year. It is also worth loking at the sewerage ponds on weranui rd, as chestnut teals etc have been seen there. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Cheers

Chris

[Brent Stephenson]

Hi Christopher,

The area certainly is a good one for birds, with the forest species at Wenderholm, dotterel and oycs along the shore, and waterfowl at Straka's lagoon, etc. I'm interested in your mention of chestnut teal at the Waiwera sewage ponds. Was the sighting in January 2007? Tim Barnard first brought these birds to our attention, and I think the general consensus in the ensuing debate was that they were in fact stained GREY TEAL. We had images and info on our website here - take a look and see what you think, but I think these are probably the birds you mention. There have been brown teal at Straka's lagoon though!

Cheers,

[Christopher]

Hi Brent, thanks for the reply. About the sewerage ponds, I didn't actually see the teal in question, I was told about it by a friend. Thanks for letting me know about the teal. I also wanted to ask how to get into the Straka lagoon. My Grandfather and I have driven past it on many occasions. Are you able to just drive up the road leading to the lake or do you have to get permission?
Cheers

Chris

[iain johnson]

No sign of the southern right whales this afternoon (3.30 to 4.15pm). 5 NZ dotterel including one banded individual (RL blue above white, LL orange above green), 56 SIPOs and 18 VOCs on the beach.

Cheers Iain

[Christopher]

Hi Iain. I was just wondering if there has been any sign of BOB (nz dot) this season? He bred last year at Waiwera, and I haven't seen him yet this season.
Cheers

Chris

[Neil Fitzgerald]

Sent to BIRDING-NZ

Greetings Ian , Very interested N.Z. dotterel--BW/OG female has bred and last season raised 2 chicks at Hauone . I have been on the lookout for her this season . She was originally banded Matakana Dec 1996 . Rebanded by John Dowding 2 seasons ago at Hauone 30 K west of Whakatane ... Thanks for the info. John

[iain johnson]

Chris,

I have absolutely no idea who BOB is i'm afraid. I'm assuming from your email/ post that he is a 'banded' NZ Dot? What is the colour sequence please, I'll look out for hi next time I'm out.

Cheers e

[Rodney]

Hi Iain and all,

Mr BOB is a NZ Dotterell that has resided at Waiwera for several years at least, and has the leg bands MB-OB. He was a favourite of birder Ted Wnorowski who checked on him every time he passed through Waiwera, and when he left to live in Australia, urged friends to keep an eye on Mr Bob for him. Mr Bob was there earlier this year in ?March. He is usually on Waiwera Beach, but sometimes found feeding up the river estuary or at nearby Wenderholm Beach too.

R

[Neil Fitzgerald]

This topic has been split from "Southern Right whales - Waiwera Beach"