Bird Life
Some 50 species of bird have been recorded over the last decade at Ngakuta Bay and this comprises about equal numbers of species found predominantly on the shore and on the land. The list does not include rifleman and tomtit, which were recorded in the 1982 Lands and Survey. A bird display (insert pictures near here) showing the more common species has been constructed on the shore near the slipway. The display has been put up with funds from Eureka Trust, the local community and Forest & Bird Society.
Pictures and other information on New Zealand birds is provided at the Ornithological Society of New Zealand’s website
(www.osnz.org.nz )
Pictures and other information on New Zealand birds is provided at the Ornithological Society of New Zealand’s website
(www.osnz.org.nz )
Shore birds. In comparison to nearby bays the range of shorebird species at Ngakuta is similar to that seen at the head of the Grove Arm but is much richer than Shakespeare and Whatamonga Bays, for example. With the exception of spring when many species are nesting elsewhere, 8-10 species can regularly be seen on the shore at any one time. Gannet and fluttering shearwater rarely use the shoreline but can be seen feeding or roosting in the Bay or the Grove Arm.
Some species like pied stilt, royal spoonbill, white heron and reef heron are infrequent users and are probably temporary visitors from the nearby Anakiwa / Grove populations. Species like the oystercatchers and black-fronted tern which nest on braided rivers, are more seasonal and may be using the Bay as part of their autumn migration routes. White-fronted tern are more common while the much larger caspian tern, usually seen singly, has been seen in groups of 8 –12 on the Bay.
Ducks on the shore are mostly hybrids of the introduced mallard duck and the native grey duck, although grey duck have been seen. Juveniles of black-billed gull are easily confused with red-billed gull as they both have similar bill colours.
Four of the five shags seen in the Sounds feed at Ngakuta Bay but are rarely seen roosting or nesting while White-faced heron is regular and has nested on the eastern headland and further inland. Black-billed gull nest in small numbers on the shoreline of the eastern headland.
Land Birds. The Bay has about 26 species of birds that are predominantly land birds but some like spur-winged plover, kingfisher and blackbird will use both shore and inland for feeding.
Some species are always present at Ngakuta Bay like house sparrow, weka, pukeko, chaffinch, morepork and silver eye. Others show some seasonality like tui, bellbird, swallow, thrush, blackbird. While redpoll, shining cuckoo, pigeon, grey warbler and green finch are quite distinct in their coming and goings.
Some birds seem to enjoy showing themselves while birds like brown creeper and grey warbler are a bit more secretive in their habit and we need to be aware of their songs to know they are around (http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/new-zealand-bird-songs-and-calls/).
Weka have increased in number in the Sounds recently (since 2005) and seem to be taking advantage of their welcome at most households and regularly turn up for a feed.
New Zealand falcon has been seen in the Bay but 2010 was the first time in recent history that it has bred here. They have distinct behaviours (click here for additional text on breeding signs) that point to evidence of breeding which are worth looking out for. Falcon are skilled predators on small birds and there has been concern that the falcon is scaring birds away. However, there has been no evidence that bird numbers in 2010 were lower than in previous five years. One dead young falcon was found next to a power pole carrying a transformer, possibly electrocuted, an unfortunate cause of mortality in falcons in the Marlborough plains.
Some species like pied stilt, royal spoonbill, white heron and reef heron are infrequent users and are probably temporary visitors from the nearby Anakiwa / Grove populations. Species like the oystercatchers and black-fronted tern which nest on braided rivers, are more seasonal and may be using the Bay as part of their autumn migration routes. White-fronted tern are more common while the much larger caspian tern, usually seen singly, has been seen in groups of 8 –12 on the Bay.
Ducks on the shore are mostly hybrids of the introduced mallard duck and the native grey duck, although grey duck have been seen. Juveniles of black-billed gull are easily confused with red-billed gull as they both have similar bill colours.
Four of the five shags seen in the Sounds feed at Ngakuta Bay but are rarely seen roosting or nesting while White-faced heron is regular and has nested on the eastern headland and further inland. Black-billed gull nest in small numbers on the shoreline of the eastern headland.
Land Birds. The Bay has about 26 species of birds that are predominantly land birds but some like spur-winged plover, kingfisher and blackbird will use both shore and inland for feeding.
Some species are always present at Ngakuta Bay like house sparrow, weka, pukeko, chaffinch, morepork and silver eye. Others show some seasonality like tui, bellbird, swallow, thrush, blackbird. While redpoll, shining cuckoo, pigeon, grey warbler and green finch are quite distinct in their coming and goings.
Some birds seem to enjoy showing themselves while birds like brown creeper and grey warbler are a bit more secretive in their habit and we need to be aware of their songs to know they are around (http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/new-zealand-bird-songs-and-calls/).
Weka have increased in number in the Sounds recently (since 2005) and seem to be taking advantage of their welcome at most households and regularly turn up for a feed.
New Zealand falcon has been seen in the Bay but 2010 was the first time in recent history that it has bred here. They have distinct behaviours (click here for additional text on breeding signs) that point to evidence of breeding which are worth looking out for. Falcon are skilled predators on small birds and there has been concern that the falcon is scaring birds away. However, there has been no evidence that bird numbers in 2010 were lower than in previous five years. One dead young falcon was found next to a power pole carrying a transformer, possibly electrocuted, an unfortunate cause of mortality in falcons in the Marlborough plains.