Birds of the Wairarapa and where to see them
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Field guide to the birds of Castlepoint

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Australasian Harrier (Circus approximans)

Description: Large brown hawk. Food is a mix of live prey - small birds, rabbits and a lot of road killed carrion (possums, hares, hedgehogs). Wary birds and avoid humans.

Habitat: Usually seen soaring singly over farmland, open country or swamps. Commonly patrols roads and a lot of young birds killed by cars.

Size: 55 cm


Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolour)

Description: Large black coastal wader with long straight red beak and red eye. Many birds display variable degrees of whiteness of underparts. Territoral, usually seen in pairs but small non-breeding groups occur. Sharp "kleep kleep kleep" call with musical piping during ritualised courtship.

Habitat: Typically only seen in estuaries or on the coast.


Spur-winged Plover (Vanellus novaehollandiae)

Description: Black cap, brown back and wings, white underparts with bright yellow facial wattles (like a plastic mask). Strident rattling unmistakable calls. Slow deliberate wing beats in flight. Are early nesters from May onwards on open ground. Defends nest aggressively against the , and humans.

Habitat: Conspicuous birds of open country and farmland.

Size: 40 cm


Banded Dotterel (Charardrius bicinctus)

Description: A starling-sized brown bird with white underparts on which are black throat and reddish-chestnut bands. Defends nesting territory vigorously against dotterels of same species.

Habitat: Inhabits sandy beaches and stony riverbeds.

Size: 20 cm


Black-backed Gull (Larus dominicanus)

Description: Our largest gull, black and white with yellow beak. Juveniles have mottled brown plumage and only attain adult plumage by 3-4 years. Numbers have increased enormously near urban centres which provide more sources of food.

Habitat: Never far off-shore, but can be seen soaring over all parts of the country including our mountain ranges. An opportunistic feeder seen on wet pastures, cultivated land, rubbish tips, sewer outlets.

Size: 60 cm


Red-billed Gull (Larus scopulinus)

Description: Our commonest small gull and the one invariably seen on TV during Test Cricket matches. Grey and white gull with red beak and legs.

Habitat: Usually coastal but flocks may be seen feeding or roosting on cultivated paddocks or sports fields within a few miles of the sea. is the first species to appear when you toss out some food at a beach picnic. Breeding colony om the rocky promentary near the "reef".


White-Fronted Tern (Sterna striata)

Description: Our commonest tern. Pearl grey and white with swallow tail and black cap separated by white forehead from black beak. This feature gives bird its name.

Habitat: Rarely observed away from the coast. Look for flocks just offshore diving for small fish. In breeding season often seen flying back to chicks with small fish in beak. Nest with on the rock outcrop at the north of the lagoon.


Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia)

Description: Large silver-grey tern with strong red beak and jet black cap in breeding season, which becomes smudgy in winter. Loud harsh call "kaaa". Dives for small fish.

Habitat: Most commonly seen patrolling inshore coastal waters, flying with head and beak pointed down looking for fish. Usually single birds seen.


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