News Archive

For the first time I actually witnessed five godwits arriving, on the Whanganui River Estuary, after their non-stop journey from Alaska. This was 14 September, 2021. Their wings were drooping, … … Continued

A field trip on Saturday to several coastal dune lakes was interesting. We finished the trip at the Manawatu Estuary, and found again the long-staying little egret. Great to have … … Continued

I have long sought to photograph an Antarctic Fulmar and possibly have seen one in the sub-Antarctic, but the sighting of this bird on an all-day pelagic off Kaikoura last … … Continued

In a change on writing about all the birds, this new planned book, by change, is just about one bird - a Bar-tailed Godwit, who carries the flag AJD. I … … Continued

Our old friend has left us again, on the same day, at the same time (14 minutes later), and from the same spot (5 metres from last year). These are … … Continued

Regular checking of our estuary birds has been quite productive over the last two years or so. I was scanning the estuary with binoculars and noticed a brown speck among … … Continued

It still gives me a great thrill to find a lifer in NZ, a new bird I have never seen before. Such was my luck this week as I quickly … … Continued

After a tip-off from a member of the public I had the opportunity to photograph a morepork family, mum, dad and three young ones. What a cute sight, and quite … … Continued

Previous photos of fairy terns have come at great cost - a trip to north Auckland, a 5 km walk along a beach, only to find a bird who favoured … … Continued

Our old friend, AJD, is back on the Whanganui Estuary for the 13th summer. I first found him this year after migration at Foxton, on 2 October, so he has … … Continued