Displaying items by tag: Bird Counting
Bird numbers up at Lake Ellesmere
Bird numbers up at Lake Ellesmere – annual census
Society NZ, Department of Conservation, Christchurch City Council rangers, Fish & Game, Environment Canterbury, Ngai Tahu, Rotoract, Waihora Ellesmere Trust, and others.
BirdingNZ website tells us that February 22 was one of the hottest days of summer, over 40 people from a range of organisations undertook the counting of all the wetland birds on Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. You can see some of those photos on their Facebook page.
The count is a snapshot of the birds present on a specific day and for the species which occur in large numbers such as the ducks and geese, the numbers are estimated by experienced counters.
The total number of birds recorded is slightly down on last year, with just over 55,000, compared with around 55,700 in 2013. The numbers of waterfowl were down with just under 42,000 this year compared with around
45,000 in 2013. However, the numbers of waders were up with over 7300 recorded, compared with around 6100 in 2013.
Also notable is that 45 species were recorded in 2014 compared with only 39 in 2013. This year’s count recorded many more Arctic migratory species, e.g. greenshank and sanderling that were not seen in 2013.
With the very low lake level, the habitat for birds was of variable quality with some areas of the lake edge too dry. However, the lake edge is extensive and the habitat was very good in places leading to a redistribution of birds around the lake.
This copy courtesy of BirdingNZ, and Peter Russell. See www.birdingnz.net
Black Cormorant
Pied Cormorant
Little Cormorant
Spotted Shag
White-faced Heron
White Heron
Royal Spoonbill
Mute Swan
Black Swan
Canada Goose
Feral (greylag) Goose
Paradise Shelduck
Mallard/Grey Duck
Grey Teal
NZ Shoveler
Shoveler/G Teal
NZ Scaup
duck sp.
Australasian Harrier
Pukeko
SIPO
VOC
240
51
4
92
3
871
14
7473
3777
443
5148
5173
12504
5893
780
12
696
67
97
17
2
BirdsNZ members brave the weather
The weather was not wonderful, but Robin and Heather List are seasoned birders and the pair set off to Wario to check on birds and do a count.
Robin said “The expedition consisted of Heather and me. We have the gear and do wetlands in squalls right cheerfully, so there was no grumbling in the ranks, though the waterproof notebook was abandoned in favour of the little recorder, which worked well under wet, windy conditions. The sun broke through at times and the whole place was looking grand as wetlands in winter can.
“There wasn’t a feather of a Dabchick nor yet a Bittern to be seen, so we’ll go looking in other haunts. It is possible they haven’t read the books and aren’t breeding yet, but it has been a mild winter.
“What we did see or hear in the space of 2 hours 10 minutes, not counting the walk along the road back to the car was, here in random order.”
Black swan 135,
Mallard X Grey 26, (possibly a couple of Shovellers among the tussocks at the sheds pond, but I think they prefer Boggy Pond)
- Teal 25,
- Yellowhammer15,
- Harrier 4,
- Blackbird 4,
- Welcome Swallow 6,
- Pukeko 6,
- Magpie 4,
- Kingfisher 3,
- Silver-eye 37,
- Goldfinch 15,
- Black Shag 1,
- Skylark 2,
- Spurwing Plover 5,
- Grey Warbler 1
All up16 species were seen by this intrepid pair, who also had an enjoyable lunch and excellent company in beautiful surroundings.
“Who could ask for more?” said Robin.