The Hawke's Bay region is not only a fantastic place to sample rural New Zealand, see some of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the World, and taste a selection of excellent wines, but also an excellent place to go birding. The main cities of Napier and Hastings are popular destinations for travellers and birders alike.

A unique New Zealand birding experience is able to had in Hawke's Bay. Within close proximity we can sea-watch from land for albatross, shearwaters, and petrels, explore estuarine areas for waders/shorebirds, visit inland freshwater lakes for waterfowl and cormorants, and walk through native forest vibrating with birdsong. Being Brent's 'home-patch' in which he has birded for some 15 plus years, we know all the good places to visit.

Places to bird -

Sea-watching is very dependent on season and conditions. However, the chance to see common coastal species is year round, and only the worst of weather conditions will change this (possibly making it even better - for the birds!). Australasian gannets nest at Cape Kidnapper's, a uniquely beautiful coastal location where around 7,000 breeding pairs nest annually (Brent studied this colony during his PhD research).

The estuarine areas of Hawke's Bay, although best visited during the spring/summer, are still worth a look during the other seasons. Range restricted species such as black-fronted dotterel, and little black cormorants, are year round residents and relatively easily found at several places around Napier. Other species, such as black-fronted tern and Royal spoonbill can also be found during the autumn/winter months. During spring/summer, arctic migrants are present, and species such as bar-tailed godwit, red knot, and Pacific golden plover are present, with the summer period being a good time for less common wading birds such as sharp-tailed sandpipers, red-necked stints, and other vagrants.

Freshwater lakes provide opportunities to see several New Zealand endemics such as New Zealand grebe and New Zealand scaup. Black and mute swans, common coot, and paradise shelduck are also able to be seen, and if you particularly want a chance at spotless crake then we can give that a go.

Perhaps the best of birding in Hawke's Bay is the unique forest habitat that exists on our door-step. Just over an hours drive from Napier is Boundary Stream Mainland Island, an 800 hectare reserve administered by the Department of Conservation. Not only are predators and introduced mammals heavily controlled within this area, but several notable endemic species have been reintroduced to the amazing forest. Resident all year round are tui, bellbird, grey fantail, grey gerygone (warbler), tomtit, and whitehead. All but grey fantail, which is native, are endemic New Zealand forest birds. Birds which have been reintroduced are Northern brown kiwi, New Zealand robin, North Island kokako, and saddleback. The robin is really the only one of these with which we have a good chance of seeing, however, there is also a slim possibility of seeing the latter two. During summer both shining-bronze and long-tailed cuckoos are present, with this site being perhaps one of the best places to see long-tailed cuckoo, at least in the North Island. A resident pair of New Zealand falcons are sometimes seen, and fernbird are almost always coaxed out of the thick scrub for amazing views at a nearby location. Brent has a detailed knowledge of this area, having worked within the reserve for Department of Conservation, and is arguably the best person to visit the site with.

Although these areas are best visited in spring/summer, birding opportunities are still present during autumn/winter months.

What we offer -

We can offer 1-day birding trips, or perhaps you would prefer to explore the area more fully over several days. If you would like to incorporate one or more days birding in Hawke's Bay into a longer bird tour, then we can do that also. Please let us know your requirements and we can put a package together for you.

As part of this, we offer a pick-up and drop-off from accommodation, or even cruise ships. During summer, Napier is often a destination for the many cruise ships sailing the South Pacific. Often these ships are only in port for one day, so we can help you maximise your birding opportunity whilst in Hawke's Bay.

If you would like to include a trip to a winery for lunch as part of your day with us, please let us know this. Otherwise we generally try and have lunch along the way.

Please do not hesitate to email us at info@wrybill-tours.com if you would like more information or to take advantage of our excellent service range.
Phone/Facimile: + 64 6 323 1441