Banded dotterel

Pohowera: Charadrius bicinctus - Endemic - Declining. An iconic braided river bird and a photographer’s delight.

Bar-tailed godwit

Kuaka: Limosa lapponica - Native - Declining. The most abundant of the migrant waders that visit New Zealand. Often seen on Auldwood Birds’ Ashley/Rakahuri Estuary tour.

Bellbird

Korimako: Anthornis melanura - Endemic - Not threatened. One of New Zealand’s best songsters, the korimako is abundant in Canterbury where it is the dominant honeyeater.

Brown creeper

Pipipi: Mohoua novaeseelandiae - Endemic - Not threatened. Endemic to the South Island pipipi rarely come out from cover. Their colours blend well with forest, making them a challenging, but rewarding, target of the twitcher’s interest.

Caspian tern

Taranui: Hydroprogne caspia - Native - Nationally vulnerable. A spectacular addition to the regular ‘birdscape’ at Ashley-Rakahuri Estuary where they can be seen diving for fish in the lagoon and up-river at high tide.

Great Crested Grebe

Puteketeke: Podiceps cristatus australis - Native - Nationally vulnerable. This beautiful waterbird probably numbers fewer than 1000 birds in NZ. This Australasian sub-species retains its breeding plumage year-round.

Grey warbler

Riroriro: Gerygone igata - Endemic - Not threatened. This tiny warbler is more often heard than seen. The beautiful song of the male is a herald of spring.

Marsh Crake

Koitareke: Porzana pusilla - Native - Declining. A secretive denizen of New Zealand wetlands Koitareke are tricky bird to find. Auldwood Birds knows a few ‘secret’ spots; but even we can’t guarantee you’ll see this beautiful swamp resident, though we’ll give it our best try!

New Zealand falcon

Karearea: - Recovering. Naturally uncommon. However, when they are observed, their bold confiding nature makes for an intimate and memorable observation.

New Zealand pipit

Pihoihoi: Anthus novaeseelandiae - Endemic - Declining. Found from ocean beaches to mountain slopes, the often follow walkers for the insects people disturb.

Royal spoonbill

Kotuku ngutupapa: Platalea regia - Native - Increasing. Once uncommon in New Zealand, kotuku ngutupapa have increased, with Canterbury wetlands hosting some of their largest NZ colonies.

South Island robin

Kakaruwai: Petroica australis - Endemic - Declining. One of the delights of the New Zealand native forest with its trilling song, and its habit of seeking humans out, coming right up to people’s feet to seek the insects they disturb.

South Island tomtit

Ngirungiru: Petroica macrocephala - Endemic - Not threatened. Bold little birds, especially the male, ngirungiru come to the edge of the forest to spy on passing people.

Tui

Tui: Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae - Endemic - Not threatened. Canterbury is a natural tui gap. However, they are found in the forest of Banks Peninsula where their amazing song, boldness and flashy colours are always a delight.

White heron

Kotuku: Ardea modesta - Native - Nationally critical. Uncommon in New Zealand with only one nesting colony. Individual birds disperse to wetlands throughout the country, where they are keenly sought by birders.