A Coromandel Bird Guide
Coromandel is a haven for New Zealand shore and seabirds, which is not too surprising when you take into consideration that the peninsula is basically kilometres upon kilometres of white sandy paradise. Birds flock here to roost, forage and live just like us humans.
On my most recent visit, I was treated with many feathery encounters. Below, I have explored five birds that I meet during my Coromandel Adventures
Spotted Shag | Parekareka
A colony of Parekareka and Tarāpunga on the West coast of Coromandel Peninsula
Spotted Shag or parekareka are not a common sight, but as I was driving my way up the windy roads of Coromandel, I came across a tree with many birds roosting. Cars have stopped up ahead, which sparked my curiosity as well. At a distance, I thought them to be Pied Shags, but eager for a bit of a rubber neck I made my way to the tree on the side of the cliff.
Walking along the road, with cars whizzing past me on the left and a precarious cliff drop into the wild sea below, I felt a little at edge as I made my way to the colony.
When I arrived, I noticed that they were spotted shags. As well as red billed seagulls. All fighting for the best spot on this gnarled tree. I was greeted by a red billed seagull vomiting up a fishy lunch as I closed in. Great welcome. This was my first time seeing spotted shags in the North Island. I did not recognize them at first, as the other time that I saw them they had their breeding plumage. This is a bright turquoise colour on their face.
A Parekareka on the rock
They get their name from well, the black dots that appear on the tip of the back and wing feathers during breeding season. This bird is entirely marine situated. They feed in waters far out to sea and roost on coast edges. Outside of breeding season, they can form colonies of up to 2000 birds.
These birds form monogamous pairs and when breeding create platform nests on cliff edges, made from sticks and grass. They lay around 3-4 eggs, which are pale blue in colour. Incubation and chick raising duties are shared between a mated pair. They young will fledge at around 62 days.
Where to see these birds in Coromandel
My encounter with this bird was random, in the sense I did not know they would be there. When driving along the coast, keep an eye out for cliff edges and trees as you may spot some.
New Zealand Dotterel | Tūturiwhatu
A Tūturiwhatu
The New Zealand Dotterel or Tūturiwhatu is a very solid looking bird. They are also very small and have long stilt like legs, which they use to scurry around the sand looking for sandhoppers to nibble on. Walking along Hot Water Beach and Hahei Beach I came across quite a few of these delightful birds, which was heartening as they are recovering in numbers in the North Island.
There are many parts of the beach closed off for these guys during breeding season. Their nests are rather simplistic in design, a scrap in the sand with a few pieces of vegetation flung around for decor. And in that nest, they lay sand coloured eggs. This is why it is important to watch where you are walking during the breeding season, as they are extremely well camouflaged. However, if you venture too close to a nest, the dotterel will employ tactics to lead you away, such as feigning a broken wing. When hatched, the chicks are tiny and if spotted, they will normally crouch and freeze until the danger passes.
Where to see these birds in Coromandel
They can be found on many Coromandel beaches, such as Hot Water Beach and Hahei. You will see lots of areas cordoned off during Spring and Summer, with signs that detail nesting birds nearby. This is a good indicator that dotterels could be around nesting. Please be sure to stay away from these areas so as not to stress the nesting birds.
Red Billed Seagull | Tarāpunga
Two Tarāpunga on a tree
Often seen as that intruder who is always trying to nab your hot chips, the red billed seagull or tarāpunga is as quintessential to the beach as jandals and the smell of suncream. They are the most commonest shore bird in New Zealand and they are very distinctive looking with their bright red bills and bright white eyes.
This bird is largely monogamous. An important part of courtship is feeding the female by the male in the form of regurgitated food. Nothing says love like vomit. This courtship feeding will increase in frequency before the laying of the first egg. If the female has been fed adequately, then they can remain on the nest for most of the day rather than scouting for food. Nest building, incubation and chick rearing are shard duties between both sexes. Once the nest is constructed from grass, seaweed and twigs, then normally two oval eggs are laid. Once hatched, the chicks fledge at around 35 days. It is normal for the chicks to remain with the same colony that they were hatched at.
Where to see these birds
Everywhere. Well, perhaps not everywhere. But you will see these birds at most beaches around Coromandel as well as within the townships, such as Whitianga.
Variable Oystercatcher | Tōrea pango
Tōrea pango in the sand
Normally these birds are elusive. All I see is a running blur of black and orange - or a far away spot in the distance that may be an Oystercatcher or may be a rock - who knows. Rocks and Oystercatchers kind of look the same sometimes. Very rarely do I get close to these guys. Because they're a little shy.
But, at Hot Water Beach, there was this one Variable Oystercatcher in the surf hunting for food. This guy would stab at something yummy in the water and run back to the sand and crack it open. And he didn't seem to mind a voyeur during his meal
They are not just shore birds, but also love birds. They will breed in monogamous pairs and fidelity between mates is high. Once they have found prime real estate to set up shop, and by shop, I mean nest, they will defend this area quite aggressively
Tōrea pango in the surf.
And doubly so, when they have made their nests. The nest is, well, it is a scrap in the sand with pieces of vegetation and driftwood in it. It's not going to get top marks for architectural genius, but it does the job. Though because the eggs are rather sand like in color, it makes it hard to see them. Great for camouflage from predators, not so great for people simply walking along. So, during breeding season, it's good to be careful while walking along the beach
Though if you go near the nest, you will know about it. Oystercatchers will defend their nesting space with fiery determination. Dive Bombing your butt if you go near. And screeching. They are basically little fighter jets in the sky and you are the target. So, if that starts happening - get out. Fast. One, because you are stressing them out. Two, they are dealing with you while they need to incubate eggs
Where to see these birds
Sitting on rocks at the beaches or running along the surf, Variable Oystercatchers are a common sight on the Coromandel Peninsula. During high tide, it is not uncommon to come across very large colonies of these birds roosting on the sand. Hot Water Beach and Hahei are two spots that can be seen.
Australian Gannet | Tākapu
Tākapu flying in the morning light
I was surprised to see the Australian Gannet soaring over the surf at Hot Water Beach as well as Hahei. Perhaps, because I am used to seeing them sitting comfy and still at the Muriwai Gannet Colony where they nest and raise their young.
Coming across these giants of the ocean was a treat. They seemed to dance along with the rolling waves, their wings caressing the water.
In New Zealand, we have the bulk of the breeding population of Australian Gannets, with only around 13 percent breeding in Australia. Colonies can be found at Muriwai as well as Cape Kidnappers. They build their nests using grass, seaweed and even fishing line and other plastic items discarded by humanity.
They lay one egg, which they incubate by tucking beneath their large webbed feet. Upon hatching, they are featherless and ebony, after around a week white down will start appearing over their body. In less than a month and a half, they will weigh as much as their parents, around 2 kgs. During this time, they are fed regularly by the parents on a diet of regurgitated fish.
Where to see these birds
Soaring over the waves, off the coast. When at Hahei, Hot Water Beach, or any Coromandel beach be sure to look out to the surf to see if you can spot any of these grand birds.