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| Variable oystercatchers (Haematopus unicolor) use their long beaks to probe in the sand and mud for crustaceans and worms. The colour of this species varies from black with smudgy white parts, to all black. Up till 1922 when they became protected, they were shot for food. Now these birds are a fairly common sight on Eastern Bay of Plenty beaches, this pair seen at Omaio Beach. Source: Author (2017). |
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| Silvereye, or wax-eye (Zosterops lateralis) is a self-introduced bird from Australia, resident here since the mid-19th century. This species is equally at home in the bush as in the garden, and feeds on fruit, nectar, and small insects. They are voracious feeders at man-made bird-feeders, especially in winter. This flock of birds is making the most of fallen fruit in an Ōpōtiki garden. Source: Author (2017). |
Commencing on September 15th is the 17th annual Birds A Plenty Festival, so this is an ideal opportunity to explore some of the common, and not-so common, species of the Eastern Bay. Pressures they have faced since human settlement of the area continue to be of concern, while great work is being done to restore habitat and provide the best opportunities for local populations.
Those of us who are fortunate to live in the countryside or near bush are familiar with the frequent calls of a variety of species: the raucous cries of weka at night; the mournful call of the ruru/morepork; chattering and squabbling tui; and the high-pitched peep peep of kotare/kingfisher calling to each other. However, to get a sense of what bird-song we would be greeted by every morning, had the environmental history of our country followed a different path, I would like to quote Joseph Banks, who wrote in his diary on waking on board the Endeavour:
“This morn I was awakd by the singing of the birds ashore from whence we are distant not a quarter of a mile, the numbers of them were certainly very great who seemd to strain their throats with emulation perhaps; their voices were certainly the most melodious wild musick I have ever heard … I was told that they have had observd them ever since we have been here, and that they begin to sing at about 1 or 2 in the morn and continue till sunrise, after which they are silent all day like our nightingales.”
Probably one of our most well-known extinct species is the moa, which died out approximately 600 years ago. Species of these birds ranged in size from 12 to 250 kilograms, and were understandably a valued food source for early Maori communities who hunted them using traps and spears. Bones were used to fashion fish hooks and pendants, while feathers and skins were valued for clothing. The earliest period of Maori settlement is often referred to as the “moa-hunter” period, or “archaic” period. Here in the Eastern Bay, early settlers left their mark at Tokitoki Historic Reserve on the Ōhiwa Harbour, where archaeological excavations in the mid-90s uncovered fragments of moa bones amongst shell midden and other signs of occupation dating back to at least 700 years ago. However, the moa is not our only bird to have gone extinct since human settlement, others including the huia, four species of wren, the South Island kakako, and the laughing owl.
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| Two of our extinct megafauna, a moa being preyed on by one of its only predators, the giant Haast eagle, a giant eagle with a wing-span of up to 3 metres. Artwork by Brenda Lyons falconmoon.com (2018). |
Other species valued as resources were weka, shearwater (muttonbird, or tītī) and kereru (wood pigeon). In addition Māori brought with them the kiore (Pacific rat), the first of many introductions to a land previously free of mammalian predators. While Māori had some impact on native bird populations, this would pale in comparison with the impact European settlers would have. Vast tracts of lowland forest were cleared for farming, while wetland loss has been at one of the greatest rates in the world. On the Rangitaiki plains up to 90,000 hectares of freshwater wetland was cleared for farming and flood control.
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| Wetlands and their waterways were an important mahinga kai (food gathering place), while waterways provided a valuable means of transportation between communities. The Awaroa awa was an important means of transportation between the Waikato and the Manukau. The large trees are kahikatea, a swamp-dwelling tree and important species in lowland forest, with thousands of hectares lost to swamp drainage in the 19th and 20th centuries. Source: E. S. Pegler (1898). Retrieved from Auckland Libraries 2018. |
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| Maps showing the extent of native forest cover. Left to right: Before Polynesian settlement, before European settlement, and the extent of forest cover today. Māori burnt large tracts of forest in the years before European settlement, which was replaced with grassland, shrubland, and fernland. By 2000, most of the remaining 6.2 million hectares of forest was on mountainous land not considered useful for agriculture. Source: The future of our forests. Kennedy Warne (2014). |
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| Above and Below: These maps show the dramatic loss of wetlands in the Waikato and Western Bay of Plenty region since human settlement. Data was obtained from soil analysis. The Bay of Plenty has lost 92.3% of its wetlands. Source: Forest and Bird (2018). Modified from Stuff.co.nz |
Additionally, early European settlers also valued several species as a food resource. Variable Oystercatchers were able to be shot for food until they became protected in 1922, kererū (native wood pigeon) and weka were also valued food sources for European settlers. Paradise shelduck were declining during the 19th century due to hunting, however their numbers are increasing, and one of our only native ducks to benefit from land conversion to open pasture. Exotic predatory species were introduced both deliberately and accidentally, and these decimated populations of ground dwelling and flightless birds, as well as targetting nesting birds, new-born chicks, and eggs. Acclimatisation societies were formed to introduce bird species from European environments familiar to settlers. These species competed with native species for habitat, resources, and in some cases preyed on native birds. Coastal dunes, an important habitat for endagered birds such as the New Zealand dotterel and other shorebird species continue to be subject to pressures such as development and building, loss of native plant species, and foot and vehicle traffic.
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| Waka kereru (a traditional Māori trap consisting of a water trough set
with noose, used to snare wood pigeons and tui) in a tree at Ruatahuna. Image taken in 1899 by an unidentified photographer.Source: Ref: PAColl-4249-06. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22328652. Retrieved from National Library New Zealand (2018). |
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| Fairey and Plum Shooting Party, circa 1900. While European settlers hunted native birds for food, such as the reputedly tasty kererū, they also introduced the concept of hunting for sport. Source: Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree Studio Collection. 176893. |
While the loss of bird numbers and extinction of some species has undoubtedly been due to human induced pressures, it is apparent that some birds have adapted to human habitat modification. Pukeko, matuku/white-faced heron, weka, and putangitangi/paradise shelducks are a common sight in paddocks where they feast on plentiful worms and grubs. North Island weka have become extinct in most areas of the North Island, with the last remaining large natural population occuring between Ōpōtiki and Motu. These cheeky and curious birds are notorious for wreaking havoc in vegetable gardens, and even coming into houses! Currently numbers in the Eastern Bay appear to be expanding, as anyone who has been kept awake at night by the racous calls of these birds would agree with. Our native subspecies of Southern black-back gull (karoro) is particularly noticeable at landfills, ports, and places where fish is processed, in fact anywhere food waste and offal can be found.
Other species that have traditionally been bush dwellers can often be seen in more urban areas utilising resources available in gardens, orchards, and paddocks. Tui are regular visitors to plants such as harakeke, kowhai, and exotic bottlebrush and cherry-blossom trees. Kaka can be heard screeching and sqwauking at each other in the branches of larger trees, while kereru can even be seen perching on power lines. Extremely successful efforts at pest control have helped the local population of kiwi between Whakatāne and Ōhope, with other species benefiting as well. Several self-introduced species from Australia such as the spur-winged plover, the welcome swallow, and silvereye have made themselves at home in our skies. The spur-winged plover was first recorded breeding at Invercargill in 1932, and has since steadily spread north. This bird has earned a well-deserved reputation for it's rattling call, often heard at night, and it's feisty defence of its young against birds several times its own body-size.
Despite habitat loss and population decrease that ecologists have described as ecological genocide, there are many community groups and volunteer organisations doing their best to tip the balance in favour of our precious feathered taonga that have been under pressure since the arrival of the first humans and land-based mammals in this country. The Australasian bittern, was once a common bird of New Zealand wetlands, an important food source for Māori who also valued feathers for cloak making, and occuring in many legends. In recent times their population has dropped below 1000 individuals. Salt-marsh was a favoured habitat for this bird, however losses of this habitat has exacerbated already declining numbers. The Nukuhou saltmarsh is the last remaining fragment of a once extensive ecosytem around Ōhiwa harbour. Thanks to the dedicated work of the Nukuhou Saltmarsh Care Group, the saltmarsh has been kept weed and pest-free, parts of it revegetated, and birds protected and monitored. Amongst the rare species recorded are the Australasian Bittern, and increased numbers of the highly secretive fernbird and banded rail.
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| View across the Nukuhou saltmarsh, Ōhiwa harbour. The predominant plant species seen here is oioi (Apodasmia similis). The Māori name oioi translates to "gently waving", the mass jointed stems creating a rippling and waving effect in the wind. This saltmarsh is home to Australasian bittern, banded rail, and other wetland species. Source: Author (2018). |
Despite massive loss of lowland broadleaf forest, and extensive swamp forest, a valuable remnant has been preserved in the Hukutaia Domain, containing once widespread tree species such as Kahikatia, Pukatea, Puriri, Rimu, Totara, Nikau, and other rarer species in its botanical collection. A hard-working and passionate group of volunteers maintain the domain, along with the Ōpōtiki District Council, and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and this year the domain will be celebrating it's 100th anniversary. Plant species and their seeds and fruit are a valuable source of food for our native forest birds, many of which can be seen and heard fluttering about the tree-tops and picking through the litter on the forest floor.
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| Large forest trees not only provide habitat and food for forest-dwelling birds, they also support a whole ecosystem based on epiphytes, the plants found growing on branches and in hollows of trees. These highly biodiverse communities are comprised of multiple plant species, and support a wide range of insects, micro-organisms, and invertebrates. The plants pictured here in the Hukutaia Domain are a type of astelia called the perching lilly (Astelia solandri). Source: Author (2017). |
The Eastern Bay of Plenty is blessed with beautiful white sandy beaches, estuaries, and dunes. These beaches are a favourite recreation space for humans, but they are also an important habitat for our shore birds that breed and nest in the dunes, and feed on the sandflats freshly exposed by the receding tide. Dunes and their immediate environs have long been subject to erosion, development pressures, and human impacts such as vehicles and unrestrained dogs. However, a network of coast care groups, extending across the Bay of Plenty has been revegetating our dunes with native sand-binding species, weeding out exotic pest plants, and controlling predatory pests. The New Zealand dotterel is an endemic bird that has been historically suffering from declining numbers, however public awareness of this endearing plover and its sensitivity to disturbance is growing, and now they can often be seen and heard on our beaches.
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| The New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus) is often heard before it is seen on our beaches, due to its colours blending in with the background. However, during the breeding season the male displays red colour on its chest. These birds are now classified with a conservation status of recovering, and can be readily seen on our beaches. This bird with its bright breeding plumage was seen at Ōhiwa headland. Source: Jim Robinson/Motu Trails Cycleway (2018). |
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| Aerial views of the Pakihi Trail, showing thick forest including tree ferns, nikau palms, and a healthy variety of canopy species. Source: Jim Robinson/Motu Trails Cycleway (2018). |
Events such as the Birds of Plenty Festival provide a great opportunity to celebrate our unique and valuable bird life, and provide a great opportunity to connect with community care groups in your area that you may wish to contribute to. This year is the 17th Birds A Plenty festival, and no doubt one of many more to come. Over my recent time in the Eastern Bay I have enjoyed becoming familiar with our local bird-life, and many of their favourite places.
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Above and below: These pied Little Shags (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos)
return each yearto the same tree to nest, beside SH2 near the Waioeka River.
Their messy nests are clearly visible in the deciduous tree before they become
concealed by leaves over spring. Source: Author (2017).
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The sacred kingfisher, or kōtare (Todiramphus sanctus), Can often be seen utilising man-made perches, such as countryside powerlines, allowing them a good view of the surrounds and any potential prey. These birds do prey on smaller birds such as silvereye. With the approaching spring, their high pitched call to each other across paddocks and between trees becomes a familiar sound. Source: Author (2017) |
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| Red-billedgull (Larus novaehollandiae) at Waiotahe. The spiky objects are spinifex seeds, a native sand-binding grass. While we may take this feisty scavenger for granted on our beaches and coastal towns, the largest breeding colonies have in fact been showing a marked population decline. Source: Author (2017). |
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| The delicate long legs and sharp probing beak of the pied-stilt (Himantopus himantopus) present a familiar silhouette around the tidal mud-flats and salt-marsh of the Ōhiwa Harbour. Source: Author (2017). |
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| Feeding hungry young. This pied shag (Phalacrocorax varius) is regurgitating semi-digested food into the mouth of its young, seen here at Whakatāne Heads. Source: Author (2017). |
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| Matata lagoon is a fovoured habitat of several species of our native duck species, including the black teal, or scaup (Athya novaeseelandiae). This unusual duck, with it's "bath-toy duck" profile, can travel long distances underwater, where they obtain the majority of their food. They congregate in groups on still lakes and ponds, where they can be seen bobbing up and down, regularly diving, or with their heads tucked beneath their wings as they sleep. Source: Author (2018). |
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| Scaup bobbing on the still waters of the Matata Lagoon, distinctive by their "toy-duck" profile and bright eyes contrasting with dark colouring. Source: Author (2018). |
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| Above and below: The Kererū, or New Zealand wood pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) is a frequent visitor to gardens and orchards, where they are known to satisfy their voracious appetites for fruit and the young shoots and buds of some trees. This particularly well-fed pair can often be seen resting on powerlines at Hospital Hill in Ōpōtiki. Source: Author (2017). |
If you would like to learn more about recognising your local bird-life, whether it be at home, in the bush, or at the beach, join the bird call identification workshop at the Regional Council house, at Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park, Ōhiwa, 29th September 1pm. Access is by the Bryan Rd. entrance (off Ōhiwa Beach Rd.). Link below for more info.
Join a working bee at Hukutaia Domain, Monday 1st October 9.00am, get to know the domain and some of its wonderful bird and plant life, and meet the team that has done so much to protect, promote, and enhance this precious taonga. Woodlands Road, Ōpōtiki.
For more Birds A Plenty events in your area check out the listings in your local paper or go to the Envirohub Bay of Plenty website.
To find out how you can contribute by joining a local coast-care group, restoration group, or pest control group visit
the Envirohub Bay of Plenty directory, or the Bay of
Plenty Regional Council coast care page.
