Pukorokoro Miranda News Journal of the Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust February 2017 Issue 103

Plans for more roosting space Trust invited to join in wetland development

Lots about knots... including the perfect courting outfit

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 1 Shorebird snippets Young busker plays in aid of shorebirds

Twelve-year-old Matthew McFadden BUSKER: is so keen on waders that he went Matthew busking in Queen St, Auckland, to McFadden raise money for the Shorebird Centre. in action Matthew, who attends Balmoral with his Intermediate, got a homework assign- guitar. ment allowing him to design his own challenge to help others and, having played the guitar for three-and-a-half years, he decided to go busking. ‘I decided to raise money for the Shorebird Centre because my Gran- dad, Brian McFadden, has taken me there quite a few times and I really enjoyed seeing the godwits and finding out about their migration journey. I think it’s amazing how they fly from New Zealand to Alaska and back. ‘I was there with Brian just before Christmas and spotted a dotterel through a telescope, and was sad to read that the Southern NZ Dotterel might be extinct in four years.’ Matthew researched the Auckland Council busking rules and got a Street Performance Licence online. Then his Mum and Dad took him to Queen Street and he went busking. ‘I played for over half an hour and played blues, rock and metal songs, including songs by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Iron Maiden. I was nervous at first but ended up enjoying it a lot.’ The Council’s rules didn’t allow him to say that he was busking for charity but the next time he visited the Centre with his Grandad he took the money he collected. ‘I am pleased that the money I raised is going towards a good cause.’ You can see Matthew in action at: at the Centre over many years. The meeting with Ngati Paoa representa- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L- Trust will probably advertise for a tives who were generally in favour of 6HUWPX1FNo permanent replacement later this year. the idea but needed to report back. The next step may be to arrange a visit so Change at the Centre Tasman connection the two groups of kaitiaki can meet. Assistant manager PMNT is helping to facilitate a link Louisa Chase has de- between the Aboriginal people of Chinese visit cided to move on af- Australia’s Gulf of Carpentaria and Representatives of the State Forestry ter being the mainstay Ngati Paoa as the traditional guardians Administration, China’s main con- of the shop for about of two areas important to migratory servation department, visited New a year. She has been birds. The idea was suggested by Roger Zealand in December and were hosted temporarily replaced Jaensch, former CEO of the EAAFP, by PMNT. As well as the centre the by Kristelle Wi (at left) who is now working in Queensland. delegation inspected the Watercare who, of course, has filled various roles As a first step the Trust organised a operation at Ambury with particular

Cover: Philip Molls’ photos of a Shining Cuckoo caught during the Field Course mist-netting

2 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 Successful courses The latest Wader ID and Miranda Field Courses were both fully booked with a waiting list and got rave reviews from participants. Philip Moll (whose photos of the Field Course are on pages 6-7) said, ‘It was way beyond expec- tation with many topics supporting my wildlife interests including benthic surveys, fish traps and simply counting and recording birds.’

Educator’s new baby

A HOPEFUL SIGN: Hauraki District Council has put up an excellent sign on the seafront reserve at the southern end of Kaiaua asking people to try and avoid disturbing the migratory birds which often roost there in summer. Kevin and Janie Vaughan, who have a bach opposite, have for many years done their best to explain to dog-walkers and picnickers why the birds need a bit of rest to build up their stamina for the flight home. Sadly they’ve only had mixed success and quite a few earlier signs have been removed. This sign will be put up each year when the Arctic migrants are here so hopefully both it and the birds will be left in peace. attention to the roosts created as part have also been taking the signs the of the redevelopment of the sewage Trust puts up in the car park warning treatment system. visitors not to leave valuables in their cars. These have been replaced several Educator Krystal Glen, who did a Thieves strike again times and at the time of going to press wonderful job of establishing contact Thieves have once again been target- were once again in place. with schools and getting our message ting vehicles left in the carpark at the It is possible that those involved are across to pupils, has completed her hides. also behind a rash of burglaries and initial contract. Krystal has now given Over the summer period a worrying thefts around the wider district. birth to a baby boy, Floyd Cedar Glen, number of vehicles have been broken PMNT has been in touch with who arrived on 2 December at 7.21pm, into and robbed. In one case a touring local Police and the regional crime weighing in at 8 pounds 4 ounces, or group of overseas birders had pass- prevention team to discuss what can 3.75kg, and is progressing well. ports, cash and credit cards taken leav- be done to deter the thieves and, where The future of the educator role is on ing them extremely distressed. Summer possible, someone has been stationed hold for the moment while longterm shore guide Wendi Lane has had her in the carpark over the summer. funding sources are explored. car broken into twice even though it was empty of anything to take. Presumably in an effort to broad- What’s on at the Shorebird Centre en the number of victims the thieves 5 March, Autumn Migration Day 10am Researcher Rachel Withington reveals what Wrybills eat when they’re visiting the Firth of Thames. Birdwatching good from 11am. 14 May, Annual general meeting 11am Your chance to have a say in the running of the Trust. Guest speaker, Eugenie Sage, Green Party environment spokesperson. Birdwatching good from 8am. June 18, Firth of Thames Wader Census Details from Tony Habraken (09 238 5284). High tide 1.30pm. 14-16 July, Print Making Workshop With Sandra Morris. Details from the Shorebird Centre. 12 August, Winter Pot Luck Dinner 10am-2pm Working bee. 6pm Dinner and guest speaker Sonam Tashi Lama on the conservation of Red Pandas in Nepal. NB Some of these dates are different to those in the calendar which were incorrect.

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 3 BANDING: (from left) Sophie Futter meets a knot on her first time out banding; Ning Hua, who has worked at Yalu Jiang, discusses a godwit moult with Gillian Vaughan and Ann Buckmaster. Photos / Jim Eagles Knots and godwits in the net At last, after several unsuccessful they would soon be in danger we made in shorebirds’ and how well organised attempts to band Red Knots and Bar- a decision to fire quickly before the everything was. tailed Godwits, cannon netting on the catching area became full of birds. In ‘Your efforts to get more and shellbank has proved successful. the end we had a modest catch.’ more people involved in shorebird It wasn’t a big catch, partly because Of the six knots caught one was from conservation are invaluable,’ she said the firing had to be rushed for fear of Australia and the others were all new. in a message to PMNT the next day, birds getting too close to the net, and Of the godwits, 48 were new and ‘since conservation is never an issue of partly because there was a problem three were retraps from New Zealand: one person or one generation but of with one of the lines, but six Red Knots BTB - Banded 19 February 2014 aged all of us. Afterwards I couldn’t stop and 51 Bar-tailed Godwits was a lot two-plus and has been seen 30 times thinking what our nature reserve or me better than recent tallies. at Miranda since; BTC – banded at the personally can do based on Miranda’s There was a good turnout of 26 same time as BTB and seen 14 times at success. This will take some time to people, including several youngsters Miranda and once at Yalu Jiang; BXU- figure out but we’d better start with and a number of newcomers, in spite banded at Miranda on 28 December what we can do first: e.g. publish my of the need for an early morning start. 2014 and seen 10 times at Miranda. unpublished experiment data.’ The weather was favourable, though All the birds were banded, flagged, There was less success a few weeks the wind got up briefly, and by the weighed and measured. later with the cannon netting done as time banding started conditions were A smiling Adrian commented af- part of the Pukorokoro Miranda Field calm and sunny. terwards that the day had gone very Course. There was a slight hiccup at the smoothly, it was great to see new ‘As usual,’ Adrian reported resign- outset when a New Zealand Dotterel young people joining in and the dot- edly,’ the waders insisted on roosting nest was discovered where banding terel was only briefly disturbed from its in the Stilt Pools even though they were chief Adrian Riegen wanted to put the nest-sitting ‘so all in all a good result’. up to their bellies in water rather than second net so he only set one. ‘Godwits Among those helping out was Ning the nice dry shellbanks.’ and knots came into the bay more Hua, one of Prof. Zhijun Ma’s students As a result attention shifted to than four hours before high tide so who has worked at Yalu Jiang with South Island Pied Oystercatchers at they must have fed well in the night,’ David Melville and is in Auckland for Taramaire and there was a good catch Adrian noted. three months study at university. of 159 SIPO. Unfortunately there were ‘Being a very big tide it came in Afterwards she enthused over ‘the no retraps among them but all went very quickly and birds started to pour wonderful day in Miranda’, how nice smoothly and the course participants into the catching area and amid fears it was ‘to see so many people interested enjoyed the experience.

4 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 WELCOME VISITORS: Black-tailed Godwits and friends at the hides. Photo / Keith Woodley An interesting crop of visitors Recent sightings Four Black-tailed Godwits, three Pectoral Sandpipers, a Greater Sand at Pukorokoro Plover, two Far Eastern Curlews, a Whimbrel, a Fairy Tern, a New Zealand Dabchick and a Shining Cuckoo have been among the amazing list of birds to visit Pukorokoro in recent months, writes Keith Woodley.

A flock of four waders among the birds Arctic means 24 hours of daylight and Arctic Migrants massed at Pukorokoro Miranda would for these sandpipers sleep appears to be c5200 Bar-tailed Godwit usually attract little attention. Nor a low priority, with birds catching brief c1000 Red Knot should a flock of three birds. But if they naps of a few minutes or even seconds. 1 Marsh Sandpiper are Black-tailed Godwits and Pectoral Researchers suggest ‘nomadic Sandpipers the records become very movements may allow males to dis- 31 Pacific Golden Plover interesting indeed. Both species have play and sire offspring at multiple 13 Turnstone been recorded here with remarkable sites within a single breeding season. 7 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper frequency in recent years, but normally Sexual selection may then favour 3 Pectoral Sandpiper only individuals. So the four black-tails high-performance males that are able 2 Red-necked Stint photographed in front of the hide in to reduce sleep to compete locally and 1 Curlew Sandpiper October was a good record. to fly long distances between breeding Two pectorals were regularly being sites, leading to a population with 1 Lesser Sand Plover seen by early December and this too unrestricted interbreeding and without 1 Greater Sand Plover was a good record. So when, a few local adaptation and speciation.’ 1 Esatern Curlew days before Christmas, a group of A more infrequent Pukorokoro re- young birders on a quest to see as many cord was a Greater Sand Plover seen in species as possible in 24 hours reported early January. One or two birds usually New Zealand species seeing three, I was somewhat sceptical. occur somewhere in New Zealand each They were adamant, and rightly so, as summer, from a population breeding 1500 Wrybill shortly afterwards confirmation was in western China, southern Mongolia 1150 SI Pied Oystercatcher received that three Pectoral Sandpipers and southern Siberia, and migrating 6 New Zealand Dotterel were indeed here. to Australia. In non-breeding plumage 48 Banded Dotterel Coincidentally, the same species it is nondescript, somewhere in size 3 Royal Spoonbill featured in a story published in the NZ between NZ Dotterel and Banded Herald during the field course, report- Dotterel. Overall grey brown above Black-billed Gull nesting! ing on research recently published in and white below, two features help Caspian Tern Nature. After migrating over 10,000 distinguish it: a large bulky bill with White -fronted Tern km from southern South America to bulbous tip, and long legs that give it Pied Stilt breeding grounds in the Arctic you a lanky appearance. 2 Hybrid Black Stilt would think a male would be interest- Two Far Eastern Curlew were Variable Oystercatcher ed in taking it easy. Yet male Pectoral reported early in the season, with no Sandpipers were tracked flying huge further records until one appeared on distances to mate with numerous fe- the shell bank towards the end of the males spread through 13,000 km of the field course. This bird stuck around at breeding range. High summer in the least until 25 January. A Whimbrel was

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 5 also recorded by a number of visitors. All of these were in addition to the usual line up of Bar-tailed Godwit, Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper and Red-necked Stint. Species diversity increased another notch with the appearance of a male Fairy Tern. Its colour bands revealed it to be from Mangawhai to where, after a couple of days on the Firth, it returned to see in the new year. Meanwhile out on the shell bank the Black-billed Gulls abandoned any further breeding attempts after being washed out in the big tides of mid-De- cember. Variable Oystercatchers WHAT’S IN A NAME: Dr Hemi Whaanga explains the complexities of proved more resilient. traditional Maori names for birds to PMNT members. Photo / Jim Eagles Early one morning in mid Decem- ber I encountered yet another rare species for this area: a New Zealand Dabchick on the Bittern Pools diago- When is a Tui not a Tui? nally opposite our southern bounda- ry. It was the first record since a bird Use of Maori names for birds is slowly which included Takahe (today ap- seen on Taramaire Stream in July spreading – for instance, many people plied exclusively to another species), 2013. But this latest one did not hang now refer to Riroriro rather than Grey Kokotea, Pikari and Tute. In fact, it around as this was the only sighting. Warbler – but, as Dr Hemi Whaanga, seems, historically the bird was most Usually Kingfishers disappear a senior research fellow at the Universi- commonly called Koko. from the coastline around late Sep- ty of Waikato told the mid-winter pot- In some cases, Hemi explained, the tember, presumably seeking nesting luck dinner, choosing the right name multiplicity of names was probably sites inland, before reappearing from can be trickier than you might think. the result of those who recorded them late February. So the persistent call Hemi and colleagues at the uni- misunderstanding or mis-hearing what from the power lines near the Centre versity and Canterbury Museum are they were being told. in late December immediately drew involved in the Nga Pae Project which But it was also because Maori often my attention. Though late in the sea- aims to identify the traditional Maori had different names for male and fe- son their flight behaviour suggested approach to naming birds and so to male birds, names vary by region and pre-breeding courtship, and second develop a modern naming protocol. they sometimes reflect the flowering clutches have been recorded in Feb- To do that they first looked back and fruiting seasons (for example, ruary. However, I have since seen no at early manuscripts and records, and when the native fuchsia was flowering evidence of a nesting attempt. talked with kaumatua, to identify the female Tui could be called Kouwha). This season’s theme of high spe- names recorded for different birds. It was mildly disappointing to cies diversity continued into the Field They found over 900 names cov- an audience of wader enthusiasts to Course. The mist netting session usu- ering 149 of the surviving bird species, learn that many shore and seabirds ally takes place at Miranda Orchards 30 extinct birds and around half of the are among the species which seem not and most years the number of species species that have arrived since 1850. In to have had traditional names. One caught has been modest. Last year other words many birds had more than which does is the New Zealand Dot- there were eight but this year there one name. That Grey Warbler, for in- terel, also known by many birders as were a record 14. For many partici- stance, has at least 17 names including Tuturiwhatu, which Hemi reported to pants Grey Warbler, Fantail and the Hirorirori, Koriroriro, Nonoroheke have 15 alternatives. four Kingfishers were exciting catches, and Whiringa a tau. But, though some longstanding as were the two new species for the But that was nothing compared to waders may not have Maori names, course, Welcome Swallow and Yellow- the New Zealand Robin, these days of- many high-profile recent arrivals do. hammer. But the undoubted highlight ten referred to as Toutouwai, for which The Australian Magpie, for instance, was a Shining Cuckoo, only the second they found 34 names. Or the Bellbird, is called Makipae in some areas and caught since courses began in 1999. increasingly now called Korimako, for Timohina in others; the Blackbird is The most challenging species to cope which they located 33 names including sometimes known as Manu Pango; and with was a Tui, also the second record Para, Rearea and Titapu. the European Starling can be called for the course, with its aggressive de- Even more striking was what they Turingi. meanour and fearsomely sharp claws. discovered about the Tui – a name Once the Nga Pae project is com- Finally, to add yet another species that has completely eclipsed the col- pleted there should be an agreed to the season, a pair of Spotted Doves onists’ title of Parson Bird – because process for giving Maori names to all have taken up residence around the their research indicates that Tui was our birds, new and old, and any other Centre and cottage. not among the 14 traditional names species still languishing unnamed.

6 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 GUIDES; (clockwise from left) Wendi Lane, Joy Gough and Tansy Bliss. Phptos / Keith Woodley, Jim Eagles Warm welcome for visitors to the hides Visitors to the bird hides have been well cared for this summer with a great team of guides in action. PMNT’s official Summer Shore Guide, the ebullient Wendi Lane, has regularly been joined by the likes of longtime volunteer Joy Gough; former Thames DOC officer Tansy Bliss who is now based on the Chatham Islands; and Dai Stacey, a birding enthusiast from Wales, who once again headed south to volunteer at the hides and plans to do the same again next year ‘because I enjoy it so much.’ Here is what Wendi Lane calls her ‘Tales from the Bird Hides’.

Where to begin? That is a tough one particularly dramatic transformations. happens in the future. Will the bank as I have met so many wonderful new The first big tide washed over the curl around and cut off the mudflats people, seen so many new birds and lowest part of the bank, extending it to create more land? Will it ex- hugely enjoyed catching up with the considerably, and flooded the Black- tend inwards and come closer to the regulars that I share my office with billed Gull nesting colony. hide. Watch this space! (birds and people). Basically, I am one The next day’s super tide was even Elsewhere the movement is in the lucky lady to be working here. higher. Virtually all the shellbank to other direction. The high winds in I have learned many things. One of the right of the catching area disap- January blew the old hide off its foun- the biggest lessons is that you have to peared and when the sea eventually dations and – not for the first time – it be very carefully what you say around receded the low area was even bigger. rolled off in one piece in the direction birders. For instance, one day I inno- Even more impressive was the way the of the Stilt Ponds. cently observed, ‘Oh, look, there’s a bank had been extended all the way Right, I am off down to the hide cute little stint.’ Very quickly an Aussie to the edge of the Pukorokoro Stream for another day hanging out with the next to me said, ‘Now, do you mean where the current will presumably birds. There is a Far Eastern Curlew a Little Stint or a Red-necked Stint?’ mean it can’t go any further. which has been impressive to see. Ooops! That is how I learned that there It will be interesting to watch what Hopefully it will be there today too. is a bird called a Little Stint which has only been seen in New Zealand three times. So now the phrase, “Oh, look, a tiny stint,’ can be heard instead. Another expression I’ve come to love and use whenever I can is ‘Schiefschnabel‘ which is German for the Wrybill. I just love the word. Schiefschnabel! Wonderful. And speaking of them, I am really enjoy- ing watching the ever-growing flock of Wrybills on the mudflats. I have also watched with fascina- tion the constant changes to the shell- bank. During the supermoon tides in November it went through a couple of ON A ROLL: The old hide turned upside down. Photo / Jim Eagles

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 7 OPENING CEREMONY: The Devonport Flock was officially opened by all those present yelling enthusiastically, ‘The Flock has landed.’ Photo / Alex Eagles-Tully Helping our birds to make lots of new friends

PMNT’s The Flock project, which uses the fun experience of painting cutout shorebirds as an opportunity to tell people about the real birds’ amazing stories and the threats they face, has been incredibly successful. Jim Eagles reports on his experience.

A few weeks after the Devonport Flock ‘I hope you are able to come back had brought 2500 painted shorebirds and talk more about shorebirds next and thousands of humans to Windsor year. – Jacob’ Reserve a bundle of around 30 post- I mention their comments to give cards arrived in my letterbox at home an indication of the effect The Flock from the pupils of St Leo’s School. project has had on thousands of chil- Each was addressed to Mr Eagles dren and adults around the country. of Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ With the Devonport Flock alone we Trust, bore a a handmade stamp and got to visit all 10 schools on the Devon- had a picture of a shorebird on the port Peninsula and talk to more than front. Each also had a delightful indi- 1500 pupils and, as those postcards vidual message about how much the demonstrate, the message about how children had enjoyed taking part in The wonderful our shorebirds are and how Flock and learning about shorebirds. important it is to protect them really They said things like: got through. ‘Thank you for making the wooden That means, of course, that the birds and organising the paint. They message also got into more than 1500 looked beautiful and everyone loved homes. I know that because we saw them. – Leah’ hundreds of families being brought to ‘It was amazing learning about the reserve to see their children’s birds. godwits but the most enjoyable part I’ve also had joking complaints from was learning how far they fly non- a lot of parents that ‘Thanks to you stop. – Jacob’ we’re not allowed to let our dog off the ‘Thank you for visiting our school. lead on the beach in case they chase the I found out that female birds are big- birds’ and ‘After hearing you the kids ger than male birds, that the wrybill’s have decided that the cat is not allowed beaks curve and I really enjoyed learn- out at night in case it kills a bird’. ing about godwits and E7. – Katie.’ We got a further taste of what the ‘I was sad to hear that some of children think at the opening ceremony the shorebirds might become extinct. when, instead of the usual politicians – Elise’ and celebrities, pupils from each of

8 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 These are the Bravest Birds

These ARE The Bravest Birds

We see them glide high in the sky Their brown and grey feathers fall Their drained bodies flying by. Among the sky’s own rays. These are the bravest birds. Our eyes sting from the light These astonishing birds travel far, As we watch in perfect silence. From Alaska to New Zealand These are the bravest birds. The birds have done eight days so far. All the birds have flown up and are gone. These are the bravest birds. The lonely clouds float leisurely by. Think of these birds who travel tirelessly We never get tired of watching the birds. Through rushing winds, over raging seas, As they leave we silently hope Watching a horizon that seems never ending, We’ll see them again next September. The rain pelting down, making everything unfocused. These ARE the bravest birds. These are the bravest birds. By Sophia Walker and Sophie Spooner (above). the participating schools were invited throwing or dropping rubbish because population is growing at a really fast to talk about shorebirds to the huge that means you’re not taking care of rate. The building of more houses and crowd gathered for the occasion. the godwits. Just remember, godwits roads causes more carbon footprints The ceremony was launched by are really amazing birds. They can fly and more rubbish flying into the sea. 11-year-olds Sophia Walker and So- for many days. Just think about it. So Make sure you hold onto your rubbish phie Spooner from Devonport School please, please take care of our special and try to minimise the use of your who took turns reciting their poem godwits.’ car. Another issue is us, humans, and These Are The Bravest Birds (above). The final speech came from domestic animals. Shorebird eggs look Then followed some more amaz- 11-year-old Thomas McCutcheon of so much like rocks and sand you might ingly moving speeches and poems all Hauraki School, who turned up on just step on one. A way you can stop delivered with great passion. 11-year- crutches and stunned the crowd with this is to try to stay away from nesting old Seongjun Yoon, from Wilson a thunderous oration, delivered while areas, keep pets on leashes and use School, who has difficulty with verbal standing on one leg, about the threats paths provided rather than just run- communication was so eager to have to all our shorebirds, ending with the ning down the sand dunes. Rodents a say that he used his iPad held to the call, “So how are these birds becoming such as weasels, rats and mice are a microphone to deliver the message: ‘I endangered and what can we do? One problem too. They steal the bird’s eggs love birds. We should care for them.’ big issue that is threatening these birds and eat them. We need to lay down Seven-year-old Olive Upstan from is pollution. As you know, Auckland’s traps to stop these rodents. These are Vauxhall School gave a speech about serious matters and we need to take the godwits’ amazing migrations and them more seriously. Shorebirds are how it had inspired The Flock. She awesome and we need to stop them concluded: ‘Now these godwits are art from becoming extinct. Join me in sav- and they’re telling people to take care ing the shorebirds.’ The huge applause of godwits, making sure they take care from the crowd suggested those present of the beaches, not building factories were happy to do just that. on the beaches and making sure you’re A SUPER FRIEND: Look our for In addition, having all those beau- putting rubbish in the rubbish bins, not Spiderbird. tiful birds - and, as the photos demon-

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 9 FOREIGN AID: One of many visitors who bought and painted a bird for the Devonport Flock. strate, some of them were incredibly shared on social media around the We gave out piles of brochures on beautiful - on show for 10 days created globe. Adrian saw some Chinese tour- PMNT and The Flock. Several people a spectacular exhibition which attract- ists sharing video of the painted birds particularly asked for links to the on- ed lots of local publicity and drew in live via WeChat to friends in China. line information so they could organise huge numbers of visitors. A couple from Melbourne told flocks in their own communities. A Those who served as guardians to me their visit to the display was ‘the number of teachers said they planned the birds – including Gillian Vaughan, highlight of our cruise so far’. 11-year- to take the project to their own schools. Adrian Riegen, Wendy Hare, Trudy old Canadian Lucas Nielsen, who has So many people wanted to paint Lane, Bruce Postill, Ray and Ann Buck- become something of a media star birds that we quickly exhausted our master, Joy Gough, my wife Chris and because of his friendship with a false original stock, got lots more lasercut I – had the chance to talk about waders killer whale in the Vancouver Aquar- and by the end had sold those as well. with thousands of people from around ium, bought a bird, decorated it with A four-day Shorebird Film Festival – New Zealand and, thanks to the cruise the Canadian flag and glued on a coin extended from the original one day by ships visiting Auckland at the time, the with the image of a loon, then gave popular request – attracted enthusiastic four corners of the world. it to The Flock . . . and later told his audiences. The Navy Band sent a brass Dozens of people told us that after many followers about the experience. A quintet to serenade our birds. hearing our message they intended to gay couple from the US bought a bird, When I first proposed leaving the visit the Shorebird Centre and a few painted it together and left it for The birds there for 10 days lots of people already have. There must have been Flock ‘to celebrate our honeymoon’. said they would be wrecked the first tens of thousands of photos taken and The stories could go on . . . night. But when we pulled them out at

10 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 TRIUMPHANT: Ann and Ray Buckmaster, Chris and Jim Eagles celebrate the success of the event. the end not one had been vandalised. has also popped up in other places at last count had a total of 3036 visits There were also fears that public in- all around the country, at dozens of including; New Zealand 1558, Russia terest would fade after a couple of days. schools and community events, from 323, United States 297, France187, But at the end a number of passersby Waiheke and the Chatham Islands UK 130, Australia129, South Korea 87, came up to ask if they could be left a bit to Waimakariri and Twizel. Over the Ireland 46, Singapore 31 and Germany longer. And a worrying number wanted festive season birds from The Flock 21 . . . so maybe before long we’ll hear it to be an annual event. landed on a float in the Port Waikato of a Flock Rossiya. Overall, as Adrian commented en- Christmas Parade and appeared in a As Ray observed, looking back, per- thusiastically, the event allowed PMNT display at the Paeroa A&P Show. And haps the most exciting development is to pass its message on to thousands of it hasn’t stopped yet. Project coordina- that The Flock has become ‘a free and people we would otherwise never have tor Ray is planning something special independent entity. It may have been reached, stretching all the way up to for the Farewell to the Birds on 5 March conceived at our Shorebird Centre but former Prime Minister John Key who and other guest appearances are in the it continues to grow of its own accord painted a couple of birds for us. ‘If our offing. When it is all over, consideration and is now found in many parts of New message stays with just 10 per cent of is being given to maybe selling some of Zealand and overseas. Shorebirds are those we talked to,’ he said, ‘that’s still the birds to raise funds for the Trust. the most threatened of the bird groups a huge reservoir of extra support for The message has also spread off- and The Flock is succeeding in getting our waders.’ shore with flocks springing up in South that message across both nationally and All of that, of course, is just from Korea and Australia and who knows internationally. It’s wonderful to have the Devonport Flock. The wider Flock where else it may roost. The Flock blog played a part in launching it.’

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 11 Images from the Field Course Photographer Philip Moll did this year’s Pukorokoro Miranda Field Course, had a fantastic time and couldn’t stop taking pictures. You’ll find more of his superb photos on the blog at his website www.creativemomentsimages.co.nz/

12 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 13 MORE ROOSTING AREAS: The lower-lying areas of the Coxhead farm (outliined in yellow) could be transformed into wetlands and wader roosts adjacent to the Robert Findlay Wildlife Reserve. Photo / Living Water Trust asked to join wetland project PMNT is considering whether to accept an invitation to join a new trust which would develop and run a planned big new area of wetlands and shorebird roosts just over the road from the Stilt Ponds, reports Jim Eagles

PMNT has been invited to join in a opportunities for hundreds of young bought from the Daltons by the De- project to transform 23ha of low-lying people – will buy the 63ha Coxhead partment of Conservation. land across the road from the Findlay property, which runs along the lower The suggestion is that a trust should Wildlife Reserve into wetlands and reaches of the Pukorokoro Miranda be set up to run the land made up of roosting sites for waders. Stream, from October 2018. PMNT, Ngati Paoa, Te Whangai Trust Coming hard on the heels of the As soon as that sale goes through and the Dalton Family Trust. Trust acquiring the 27ha Findlay Re- 23.5ha of low-lying land will be The Living Water Partnership be- serve – for which a restoration plan is being developed – the proposal opens the way for a much-needed expansion of the roosting areas available for birds in the Pukorokoro-Miranda area. However, at this stage nothing has been finalised and those involved are still seeking further information. For PMNT, in particular, the proposal clearly has major implications which we need to carefully consider before responding further. The basic proposal is that neigh- bouring farmers Gary and Adrienne Dalton – who also run the Te Whangai Trust which has provided training GROWING: Gary and Adrienne Dalton in the Te Whangai Trust’s nursery.

14 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 FUTURE WETLAND: A plan showing the 23ha of land on the banks of the Pukorokoro Stream intended to be purchased by the Crown and turned into wetland. tween DOC and Fonterra has agreed •A centre able to provide sus- the project as combining improved to provide funding to cover subdivision tainable funding for the hospitality habitat for the birds, a chance for local costs and the development of a resto- training, Te Whangai’s environmental young people to get involved in the ration plan. Some of the initial resto- mitigation activities and PMNT’s work burgeoning tourist industry, a platform ration plan costs will also be covered to protect and maintain wader habitat for creating better understanding of but the proposal envisages the new in the area. the area’s history and a facility which trust applying for further funding to The plan was publicly announced could serve as a focal point for the cover development and running costs. late last year by Living Water, a pro- wider community. The Daltons have also suggested gramme to restore five catchments ‘We also see it as being a sustainable creating a living memorial incorporat- including Miranda, which Fonterra business which will create a continuing ing a new visitor centre and training is committed to funding to the tune source of income for the partners, in- establishment on their adjoining land of $20 million over a 10-year period. cluding the Naturalists’ Trust, so their opposite the northern end of the Stilt North Island programme lead Tim work can become self-supporting.’ Ponds. Their vision is for this to be: Brandenburg said the Living Water Meanwhile, the first step in the •A cafe to serve locals and visitors Partnership was now in its fourth year trust’s plan to restore the Findlay Re- to the area. and it was looking to ramp up the size serve, cleaning out the culvert which •A training centre where locals can of its projects. drains the Stilt Ponds, has gone ex- acquire skills needed to work in the In this case, he said, ‘the idea is to tremely well. Manager Keith Woodley hospitality and tourism industry. try to extent the amount of habitat said the water had been flowing well •A viewing platform from which available to the wading birds and other and water levels on the ponds, which visitors can view both the birds and wetland birds but also to improve the have been consistently high, have re- the local area including the site of the water quality of the Miranda Stream.’ turns to normal levels. historic Pukorokoro Pa and the Mi- An initial explanatory meeting was Further steps, which may include randa Redoubt. also held late last year involving the the creation of more roosting areas •A memorial which will allow Living Water Partnership, the Daltons in the ponds and maybe even another Ngati Paoa to tell the history of the and Te Whangai Trust, PMNT and outlet to the tidal creek north of the area, including the invasion by HMS Ngati Paoa, and further discussions old hide, are waiting on additional Miranda in 1863, and to commemo- are planned early this year. research and some will probably re- rate local whanau whose forebears lost The Daltons, who are the key quire resource consents from Waikato their lives defending their land. figures in the proposal, said they see Regional Council. Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 15 RED KNOTS: One bird in breeding plumage, the other in non-breeding. Photo / Phil Battley Mystery of Red Knot site still unsolved Good progress has been made in recent years protecting the key Red Knot stopover site on the Luannan coast, reports Adrian Riegen, but we still don’t know if there are other major stopover sites are and numbers are probably still declining.

There has been a flurry of activity Yalu Jiang in China. Several thousand At that time there were thought to since 2014 when Bruce McKinlay, Red Knots were regularly seen at be around 220,000 Red Knots on the the DOC representative for the EAAF Saemangeum, until it was destroyed flyway, so it seemed they had found Partnership, decided more should be in 2006, but Yalu Jiang did not suit 10% of the population, but where done to protect Red Knots, particularly Red Knots and very few have ever been were the rest? As the years went by we in Asia during their northward seen there. This was a bit of a puzzle as kept thinking there would be a mega migration when time is critical and Yalu Jiang is very important for Great site somewhere in the Yellow Sea, like they must be able to refuel quickly and Knots which, like Red Knots, feed Saemangeum had been for Great Knot, get to the breeding grounds in time for predominantly on small bivalves that before the reclamation destroyed it, the short summer. are swallowed whole and crushed by where we would find vast hordes of The return journey can be a little the gizzard. Where, then, were the Red Red Knots. But we were running out more relaxed perhaps, but still requires Knots stopping off while migrating of places to look. good staging sites along the way. through Asia? Could they be in North Korea In the 1990s and early 2000s we On my first visit to China in where little was known about what assumed Red Knots refuelled at sites 2000, I boarded a train with Chen shorebirds species and how many all around East Asia, but as more work Kelin in Beijing, bound for Dandong could be found there? We have now was done surveying the coast of the and Yalu Jiang. The train stopped at done three surveys in North Korea and Yellow Sea mudflats it became clear Tianjin and Mark Barter joined us as found a total of 38, so it’s not looking there were very few site suitable for we headed east and told of finding a good. Maybe this will change during large numbers of Red Knots. flock of 25,000 Red Knot close by, on our survey in 2017. The two most important shorebird the Bohai coast, while working with In 2010 the flyway population staging sites in the early 2000s were Yang Hongyan, or ‘Nicky’, a Chinese of Red Knot was re-estimated to be Saemangeum in South Korea and student who was studying Red Knot. only 110,000, a 50% decline, which

16 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 is matched by OSNZ/Birds NZ count Pūkorokoro Miranda in March 2016 essential to the shorebirds. data from over the past three decades. (see PM News 100). Of course these saltworks are man- Paul Sagar’s 1999 paper in Notornis, While we were at the meetings in made but the shorebirds have lost so based on national wader count data Beijing we asked who would have much natural habitat in the form of between 1984-1993, estimated the the most influence in getting the mudflats over the past decades that New Zealand population of Red Knot Luannan coast protected and were they need every possible resource to be 58,637. The only year in that told the Governor of Hebei Province. they can find and saltworks fit the bill period when less than 42,000 were Imagine then our delight when on 18 admirably and so will need protecting. counted was 1993 with 33,054. Was October 2016, at the Beidaihe Coastal Challenging times for the birds and the this a sign of things to come? Wetlands and Waterfowl Protection decision makers. Not initially, as counts in 1994 Seminar, the Hebei Governor Zhang Protecting this small piece of coast and 1995 were both over 60,000, but Qingwei announced that the Luannan for shorebirds will be a huge task as they were the last big numbers. The Caofeidian wetlands area would be the area all around is very heavily national count data was a bit patchy protected. modified, oil fields in the adjacent sea for several years after 1993 but the key It is not clear just what will be done continue to be exploited and the risk of Red Knot sites were counted every year but this has to be a step in the right pollution from the vast industrial areas and by 1996 the number was down direction and we should congratulate close-by is an ongoing threat. to <38,000. Since 2000 the annual the Governor and all those people If the Luannan coast does hold November counts have ranged from and organisations like Wetlands around 50% of the Red Knots, where around 25,000 to 42,000 with a mean International-China and GFN, that are the rest and what can be done to of about 33,000. have been working so hard for this. protect them? Massive reclamations were taking The work researcher Nicky has Wetlands International–China place in the Yellow Sea from the mid been doing in the Bohai for at least 16 organised a major survey of Chinese 1990s or even earlier, so it is likely years has proved to be very valuable shorebird sites around the Yellow habitat was being lost for refuelling and she pointed out to reporters at the Sea in April 2016 when only 5,040 Red Knots and still is. Hopefully the seminar that there are many issues, one were counted on the Luannan coast, numbers have stabilized around the of which is the salt extraction works with the next best count being at the 30,000 mark, or perhaps lower if the along the Luannan coast. Yellow River Delta where 2,321 were provisional count of 27,000 nationally Salt ponds are very valuable for counted. It is possible that Red Knots in November 2016 is anything to go shorebirds as a place to feed in the occur on the Jiangsu coast north of by. shallow waters and a place to roost Shanghai where offshore sand islands The long term trend shows a when high tide inundates the adjacent exist, although this is another area ripe continued decline and now that the mudflats. However, the saltworks are for development. Red Knot is classed as a New Zealand not so profitable these days and the risk I hope there is better news regarding native species it is perhaps one of our is the ponds will be filled in possibly the future of Red Knots to report later most threatened. Surveys around the to build more factories. This would this year or next. Yellow Sea and in particular the Bohai, be a disaster as the salt ponds are an There’s more information at: the western part of the Yellow Sea integral part of the ecosystem that is http://globalflywaynetwork.com.au and especially the Luannan coast have shown that the Luannan coast is indeed Red Knot central, accounting for 50% or more of the flyway population most years. With the Global Flyway Network (GFN) taking an active part monitoring the shorebirds on that coast, particularly those carrying flags and bands, Chris Hassell and the Bohai team have gathered a huge amount of data on Red Knots since 2007. Armed with this information Bruce McKinlay took up the challenge of seeing what could be done to better protect the Luannan coast. This led to Lou Sanson, Gary Thompson, Bruce and myself spending a week in Beijing in November 2015, meeting government officials to push this case and to look at ways for the New Zealand and Chinese governments to jointly protect migratory waders. A Memorandum of Arrangement STOPOVER SITE: Red Knots taking a break from their long migration flight was written up and signed at on the Luannan Coast with oil rigs behind. Photo / Adrian Riegen

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 17 SPECIAL BIRDS: (from left) The Red Knots EAR and EBB are among a special group of flagged birds that have done much to improve knowledge of their species. Photos / Phil Battley Flags and bands offer the best hope for finding where the knots go

The search for other key Red Knot roosting sites, besides Luannan, is most likely to be resolved by the work of banders in places like New Zealand and the growing number of birdwatchers and photographers in countries such as China and Korea, writes Adrian Riegen.

The efforts of PMNT and other such Of the 1,026 flags deployed 934 up a fascinating picture of migration groups to fit engraved flags and colour have been seen at least once. To date movements and timing. bands to Red Knots have always been there have been 6,650 sightings by They are seen in the Bohai from aimed at identifying important staging 127 people, although Tony Habraken early April through to early June, and sites for the birds in East Asia. Now has provided almost 50% of these on as they are in full breeding plumage that so many more people in East Asia his own and just over 50% with other while there, it is possible to identify are becoming interested in bird watch- observers, which is a phenomenal the subspecies in many cases. ing, or at least photographing them, we effort. All but seven of his sightings It was generally thought that the hope to receive more flag sightings and are in New Zealand. Tony alone has knots in New Zealand were the rogersi this is beginning to happen. recorded 60% of all the New Zealand subspecies and, while this is mostly To date the Luannan coast and sightings. true, we now know that more of the surrounding parts of the Bohai have What have we learnt from these piersmai subspecies make it to New provided (thanks to the Global Flyway engraved flags? Results depend huge- Zealand, whereas they were thought Network team in particular) all but ly on where observers are along the to be mainly in northwest Australia. 15 of the New Zealand engraved flag flyway and how active they are. The At least 71 of those seen in the Bohai sightings from around the Yellow Sea most intensively monitored site where have been identified as piersmai. We and Japan. Red Knots occur in Australia is around will look at the New Zealand Bohai The 15 sightings not in the Bohai Roebuck Bay and 80 Mile Beach in connection in more detail another time. are of only nine individual birds. In Northwest Australia, where thousands spite of there being a lot more people of flag and band sighting and retrapped Northwest Australia looking these days, no other site has birds have been recorded. But for all The Red Knot with letters ATK was in come close to the Luannan coast where that only two of our engraved flags Roebuck Bay in May 2007, presum- there have been 1,291 sightings of 448 have been seen there. ably on its way north, having been birds. banded at Miranda aged three-plus six Since 2005 we have fitted 1,026 Bohai and Luannan Coast months earlier in November 2006. It Red Knots with white engraved flags By far the most important site for New was also seen at Merimbula in NSW each with a three-letter code: 932 were Zealand Red Knots on migration is the in November 2010 during southward flagged at Miranda, 81 at Foxton, 12 Bohai and mostly the Luannan coast. migration and was last seen on the at Whitford and one at Karaka. The 448 birds seen there have built Manukau Harbour in April 2011.

18 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 FLAG BEARERS: (from left) Over the years EAY and AKU are among the birds banded in New Zealand which fly the flag for knots around the world. Photos / Phil Battley

The other bird, CEC, banded aged in March 2013, so perhaps it too no AAH, AAN and ARK did similar two or three at Foxton in November longer makes it back to New Zealand things. AY T was seen at Stockton on 2009 and seen on 80 Mile Beach in or if it does then it remains undetected. 4 and 7 October 2013 and at Karaka, February 2012. The only other sight- CEM has been seen 16 times, most- Manukau Harbour on 11 November ing of this bird is from the Saltpans of ly at Foxton where it was banded in 2013. Luannan in May 2013. From the lack November 2009. Interestingly it was There are more examples but the of sighting it is fair to assume that seen at Foxton on 27 March 2012 and picture is quite clear that the Newcastle NW Australia is not a major migration in the Gulf on 18 March 2013, a year area is an important staging site on route for New Zealand Red Knots. later but nine days earlier. southward migration. Quiet a few of the birds seen at Stockton were also Gulf of Carpentaria Southeast Queensland seen in the Bohai in the same year or Only six birds have been seen in the Only two Red Knots have been sighted following year. Gulf, which is a little disappointing in the area in spite of some dedicated as it is an important Red Knot staging observers and the fact that the region Victoria and non-breeding site. On expeditions around Moreton Bay holds good At least 683 sightings of 125 Red there in September 2012 and March numbers of Red Knots. It is somewhat Knots with Victorian engraved flags 2013 we had hoped to find many surprising more have not been seen, have been recorded in New Zealand, more, as some people believe it is a especially during southward migration, but in return only three New Zealand major staging site for New Zealand as is the case further south in NSW. birds have been seen in Victoria. This Red Knots during northward and is mainly due to lack of people in Vic- southward migration. Newcastle, NSW toria looking for flags, but when they AXY has been seen 17 times but the By far the best sighting returns in Aus- do look they find some very interesting most interesting sightings are Luannan tralia come from Stockton Sandspit birds. All three seen there were banded coast in May 2012 and then in the Gulf near Newcastle where eagle-eyed and at Foxton in the Manawatu during Phil on 28 September 2012. It was back at dedicated observers, Liz Crawford Battley’s geolocator studies. Luannan in May 2013 and has been and Chris Herbert watched the site EBD was seen at Corner Inlet on 15 seen in New Zealand several times almost daily for several years during October 2016 where many of the Vic- until March 2016. southward migration. They recorded torian flagged knots are banded, that BNZ was seen several times in New 129 sightings of 37 different birds, the have since been seen in New Zealand. Zealand until November 2011 and on best result outside the Bohai. EBD has not been seen back at Foxton the Luannan coast in 2009, 2010 and The birds were seen in September as of 30 January 2017. 2011. The most interesting sightings and October with most only staying a EEE was seen at Corner Inlet on 26 were in the Gulf on 18 March 2013 week or so before heading back to New September 2015 and was back at Fox- and Luannan on 5 May 2013. It hasn’t Zealand we assume. In some cases we ton on 30 October 2015. It was seen been seen in New Zealand since 2011. know they did as these example show: in the Bohai in May 2016 and is back Is it now spending the non-breeding AAA was seen at Stockton on18 Octo- at Foxton for the 2016-2017 summer. seasons in the Gulf? ber 2011, Miranda 23 October 2011 EEV was also seen at Corner Inlet CCY has not been seen in New (five days later), Stockton 28 October September 2015 and was back at Fox- Zealand since 2009 but was in the Gulf 2015, Miranda 29 November 2015. ton on 12 December 2015.

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 19 Taiwan in January 2010 but had moved to few important sites. Red Knots being Four birds have been seen in Taiwan Foxton in March 2010 and was seen specialist feeders are found at far fewer during northward migration. again there once more in March 2012. staging and non-breeding sites than AWE was seen there for two days Considering the huge resighting effort Bar-tailed Godwit, which makes them in April 2011 and was on the Luannan that is put in at Foxton it is a mystery more vulnerable to habitat loss. coast in May 2011. The Taiwan stop as to where CPU is most of the time. None of this story could be told may be a brief one before heading to Maybe it commutes to Farewell Spit without the dedication of many people: the Bohai. BDE was also seen in the where reading engraved flags is appar- those who catch the knots to band Bohai in years before its Taiwan sight- ently rather challenging with so much and flag them, and those who spend ing. CMH was banded at Karaka on heat haze and wind. countless hours scanning flocks of 7 February 2016, seen in Taiwan on 4 The value of the engraved flag knots looking for these flags, all keen April 2016 and then in the Bohai from sightings in identifying important to help unravel the mysteries of these 23 April to 9 May 2016. staging sites is clear and will hopefully epic long haul migrants. help in the protection of the relatively I thank them all very much. Russia Four flags have been seen in Russia, other that at Pavel Tomkovich’s study site at Menypilgyno in Chukotka. ATP was shot on 18 May 2015 in a remote area of Kamchatka where the others were seen but allowed to live. There was an expedition to Kam- chatka in July–August 2016 to monitor southward migration and the keen observers, including members from Australia, saw two of our birds, of which – one EAR from Foxton – was still carrying its geolocator attached in 2013 that we had failed to retrieve. What could that microchip tell us if only we could catch it again.

Within New Zealand Surprisingly few Red Knots have been seen away from the banding sites, apart from in the Auckland region where it is well known they move regularly be- tween the Manukau Harbour, Kaipara Harbour and Firth of Thames, (but discussion of that can wait for another time). Three have been seen at Maketu in the Bay of Plenty where few knots are found at the best of times. FLYING THE FLAG: Adrian Riegen (above) looks justifiably delighted to AKU, nicknamed ‘Fatty’, (see have another flagged Red Knot to release after the latest banding session picture on page 19) was banded at (below) at Pukorokoro Miranda. Photos / Jim Eagles Miranda on 22 October 2015 but has been seen at least 32 times at Foxton since 2 February 2006 and was still being seen in March 2016. The Nelson area is also very good for Red Knots and has produced the most birds flagged from Miranda with 11 individuals seen. ABT was seen at Farewell Spit in March 2007 but was back in the Auckland region in 2010 and 2011. ALT, AMV, AVV, AZB, BJH & CLK have all returned to the Auck- land region where they were banded. BHX was seen at Miranda for a year after banding and has been seen once on Farewell Spit and several times on the Luannan coast. CPU was seen on Farewell Spit

20 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 From the Chair All hail our wonderful volunteers

Chair Gillian Vaughan is reminded what a terrific job the Trust’s volunteers and staff do to make sure the Centre runs smoothly even at the busiest times, the organisation continues to prosper and the work for the birds keeps advancing.

After spending a couple of hours on the desk at the Shorebird Centre ear- lier this year I’ve come away with a renewed respect for the work our staff and volunteers do. As Keith drove off to pick up a new long term volunteer from the bus stop at Waitakaruru, there was a large family group in the kitchen dining area, people were streaming back from the hide as the tide started to drop, others were arriving for a look, the phone rang with a question about whether we had a book in stock and there were urgent discussions about how to find the Marsh Sandpiper. And that was just the first ten minutes. We went on to offering recom- mendations on where to see birds on the Coromandel, discussions about the Black Kite on Orams Road and directions to Ambury Regional Park for Aucklanders keen to see shorebirds closer to home. HELPING HANDS: Dai Stacey comes from Wales to volunteer as a Summer It can be easy to forget in mid-win- Shore Guide. Photo / Jim Eagles ter just how busy the place can get in nizing another Flock display, organiz- The negative part of the summer January. The advocacy work the Trust ing or tutoring on the field course and has been the targeting of the hide does with the general public is in full all those other things that help keep the carpark by thieves. This is immensely swing at this time of year and there is place ticking over but aren’t necessarily frustrating for those broken into as a great energy to the place that goes seen when you walk through the door. well as the staff at the Centre. Both with that. Some of that energy comes Many of these jobs are done by council Keith and Kris have been spending a from the visitors but to me it seems members, but at the same time many lot of time on the phone with the police much of it comes from the interactions aren’t. If you’ve been thinking about and, following their advice, we are of our regulars, staff and of course our getting involved as a volunteer then also recommending a more leisurely volunteers. I’m sure that Keith and Kristelle would approach to birding: park at the Centre We’ve had some great volunteers love to hear from you. and walk down to the hide. If you do through this summer and their pres- park at the carpark please don’t leave ence, along with that of the Shorebird Wanted: Volunteer any valuables in the car. Guides, has meant that the visitor Finally, to end on a more upbeat experience down at the hide and at to run the Trust’s note, the 19th annual Field Course the Centre has been great, allowing was just held (Bev Woolley you have visitors to get great looks at the birds Instagram feed a lot to answer for) and was, as usual, The volunteer running the Trust’s and to learn a lot about them. Having inspiring, motivating, exhausting and Instagram account has had to volunteers around also makes it a lot a lot of fun. Best of all, for the first step down from the role, if you’d easier to get jobs done at the Centre, time since he started giving his lectures like to take control of the PMNT whether it’s the washing or sitting on the status of shorebirds in the East Instagram account and help build down to work on a project. Asian Australasian Flyway David awareness of the need for shorebird And while raving about our vol- Melville was able to end on a positive and coastal conservation then unteers I’d also like to acknowledge note, going through some of the pos- contact Gillian at gillianv@actrix. the work of the volunteers behind itive changes the Chinese government co.nz. If you’d like to have a look the scenes: people slogging through is starting to make. There’s a long way first go to: www.instagram.com/ spreadsheets, posting on Facebook and to go and a lot of work to do – but pukorokoro_miranda_shorebirds/ Twitter, maintaining the website, orga- change is afoot.

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 21 g DWIT TIMES Happy New Year Well, it is that time when migratory birds such as godwits and knots, like Rhianna here, put on their fancy feathers to show they are ready for breeding. This is Rhianna’s first year playing the mating game and she asked me if I would design her an extra special outfit to help her find her perfect partner. I decided to go for a modern twist on the Egyptian look with a touch of the swinging 60s thrown in. Some of my mates say it is a bit OTT but I think they are just jealous. However, I am having a touch of creative block trying to sort out the colour scheme. If you could please post me your coloured creations I will send a prize out to whoever comes up with the design chosen by Rhianna. Thank you for your help. Bye for now Godfrey Godwit

22 Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 PUKOROKORO MIRANDA NATURALISTS’ TRUST See the birds Situated on the Firth of Thames between Kaiaua and the Miranda Hot Pools, the Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre provides a base for birders right where the birds are. The best time to see the birds is two to three hours either side of high tide, especially around new and full moons. The Miranda high tide is 30 minutes before the Auckland (Waitemata) tide. Drop in to investigate, or come and stay a night or two. Low cost accommodation The Shorebird Centre has bunkrooms for hire and two self-contained The Shorebird Centre units: Beds cost $20 per night for members and $25 for non-members. 283 East Coast Road Self-contained units are $70 for members and $95 for non-members. RD 3 Pokeno 2473 For further information contact the Shorebird Centre. phone (09) 232 2781 [email protected] Become a member www.miranda-shorebird.org.nz Membership of the Trust costs $50 a year for individuals, $60 for families www.facebook.com/ and $65 for those living overseas. Life memberships are $1500 for those MirandaShorebirdCentre under 50 and $850 for those 50 and over. As well as supporting the work of the Trust, members get four issues of PMNT News a year, discounts Manager: Keith Woodley on accommodation, invitations to events and the opportunity to join in Centre Assistant: Kristelle Wi decisionmaking through the annual meeting. You can join at the Centre or by going to our webpage (www.miranda-shorebird.org.nz) and pay a subscription via Paypal, by direct credit or by posting a cheque. Pukorokoro Miranda Bequests Naturalists’ Trust Council Remember the Pukokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust in your will and Chair: Gillian Vaughan assist its vital work for migratory shorebirds. For further information and [email protected] a copy of our legacy letter contact the Shorebird Centre. 09 298 2500 Deputy Chair and Banding Convenor: Adrian Riegen [email protected] Want to be involved? 09 814 9741 Friends of Pukorokoro Miranda Secretary: Will Perry This is a volunteer group which helps look after the Shorebird Centre. home 09 525 2771 That can include assisting with the shop, guiding school groups or [email protected] meeting people down at the hide. Regular days for volunteer training Treasurer: Charles Gao are held. Contact Louisa Chase at the Centre for details. [email protected] 021 2674 919 Long term Volunteers Council members: David Lawrie Spend four weeks or more on the shoreline at Miranda. If you are (Immediate Past Chair), Estella interested in staffing the Shorebird Centre, helping with school groups Lee, Wendy Hare, Bruce Postill, or talking to people on the shellbank for a few weeks contact Keith Trudy Lane, Cynthia Carter, Ann Woodley to discuss options. You can have free accommodation in and Ray Buckmaster, Jim Eagles. one of the bunkrooms and use of a bicycle.

Firth of Thames Census Magazine Run by Birds NZ (OSNZ) and held twice a year, the census days are Pukorokoro Miranda Natural- a good chance to get involved with field work and research. This ists’ Trust publishes Pukorokoro year’s are on June 18 and November 12. Ask at the centre for details. Miranda News four times a year to keep members in touch and Contribute to the Magazine provide news of events at the If you’ve got something you’ve written, a piece of research, a poem Shorebird Centre, the Hauraki or a photo send it in to Pukorokoro Miranda News. If you want Gulf and the East Asian-Australa- to discuss your ideas contact Jim Eagles at [email protected]. sian Flyway. No material may be reproduced without permission. Help in the Shorebird Centre Garden We can always use extra hands in the Miranda Garden, be it a half Editor: Jim Eagles hours weeding or more ambitious projects. If you do have some [email protected] spare time please ask at the centre for ideas, adopt a patch or feel (09) 445 2444 or 021 0231 6033 free to take up any garden maintenance you can see needs doing.

Pukorokoro Miranda News | Issue 103 23 Put some waders in your life Buy a superb godwit tile designed by Keith Woodley for just $19.90

These beautiful shorebird stickers will look great on your bag, laptop, tablet, smartphone cover, book, Find scope . . . or anywhere else birds $1.50 each or $8 for the set of six anywhere in NZ with Two classic books for nature lovers these special bird watching maps. $11.90 each or $55 for the full set. Keith Woodley’s Godwits: longhaul champions, which was out of print, is on If you can’t find the time to visit the Shorebird sale at the Shorebird Centre for $49.90. Centre go to our online shop at Raewyn Peart’s The Story of the Hauraki https://shop.miranda-shorebird.org.nz/ Gulf has sold out at most outlets but or ring 09 232 2781. we still have it in stock for $89.90.

Published by Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust, 283 East Coast Rd, RD3, Pokeno, New Zealand 2473