Source: Department of Conservation
Short walks and leisurely activities like sightseeing, photography, and bird and wildlife watching were the most popular outdoor activities for Kiwi and international visitors last summer according to DOC’s annual visitor insights.
So, it makes sense to combine two passions for double the fun this summer, right? How about mixing a short walk with native bird spotting?
From the far north to the deep south, through lush native bush, ancient forests and rugged coastlines, New Zealand has the perfect mix of short walks and unique birds: New Zealand birds A – Z: Native animal conservation (doc.govt.nz)
Here are 10 awesome short walks where the birdsong is varied and sweet.
Note: always check the DOC website for Alerts before you go.
Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway, Northland
The walk – Breathtaking coastal views extending from Bream Head in the north down to the Tāwharanui Peninsula in the south. The Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island/Aotea are often seen on the horizon. The track starts along the beach, then climbs quite steeply for about 20 minutes to a lookout point. It then winds past ancient pōhutukawa teetering on the sheer slopes before descending to the stony beach below. From here you can walk back along the beach (8 km), but only at low tide. Keep to the marked track as it crosses private property.
The birds – New Zealand pigeon/kererū/kūkupa and North Island kākā make occasional visits from the offshore islands.
Kererū play a special role in regenerating New Zealand’s native forests. They’re one of only two bird species (Chatham Island pigeon/parea is the other) that can help spread the seeds of native trees like karaka, miro, tawa and taraire.
Kākā are boisterous and social, they like to gather first thing in the morning and late at night for a good gossip.
Motukiore Island Walk, Whangārei area
The walk – Be prepared to get your feet wet as the track makes its way through the mangroves with the ‘Pines’ fairways on one side and the Whangārei Harbour on the other.
The sandspit out to the island is walkable at low tide only. Crossing is only possible up to two hours either side of low tide.
Once out on the island you can roam as you like, from the prominent pā at the southern end of the island to the site of an historic homestead at the northern end. Motukiore Island is in Parua Bay, 400m east of the end of Manganese Point.
The birds – Motukiore Island is a 5-ha recreation reserve. Mature pōhutukawa trees surround the shoreline and the birdlife is abundant around the Island. New Zealand Fairy Tern/Tara iti and oystercatcher/tōrea pango are frequent visitors.
New Zealand fairy tern/tara iti is probably New Zealand’s rarest native breeding bird. It has a population of fewer than 40 individuals including approximately nine breeding pairs.
Oystercatchers/tōrea are very vocal; loud piping is used in territorial interactions and when alarmed. Chicks are warned of danger with a sharp, loud ‘chip’ or ‘click’. Adults have black uppers, and their undersides vary from all black, through a range of ‘smudgy’ intermediate states to white.
Rangitoto Summit Track, Auckland
The walk – Well-formed paths wind through ancient lava fields, which support the largest pōhutukawa forest in the world and provide a home to dozens of shore, sea and forest birds. At the summit another track circles the rim of the crater. Take a side trip to the lava caves or an alternative route to Rangitoto Wharf. Check out the DOC website for more information.
The birds – Rangitoto’s pest-free status has seen native forest birds like bellbird/korimako*, New Zealand pigeon/kererū/kūkupa, tūī, fantail/pīwakawaka, grey warbler/riroriro, whitehead/pōpokotea and New Zealand parakeet/kākāriki flock back to survive and thrive.
*Most New Zealanders can easily recognise the bellbird/korimako by its song, which Captain Cook described as sounding ‘like small bells exquisitely tuned’. They have three distinct sounds, and songs vary enormously from one place to another. You can listen to recordings of their songs on the DOC website:
doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/native-animals/birds/bird-song/bellbird-06.mp3
Arohaki Lagoon Track, Whirinaki, East Coast, North Island
The walk – The track follows an old disused hauling track before descending and crossing the Waiatiu Stream.
The track follows a spur and climbs to a terrace before continuing west and reaching a viewing platform at Arohaki Lagoon at the end of the track. The ephemeral rain-fed lagoon is surrounded by towering kahikatea and is often alive with frog croaking – and in times of drought, appears to dry up.
The birds – Impressive tawa/podocarp forest leads to a rain-fed waterway which is home to several rare birds. Birdlife includes blue duck/whio*, North Island kākā, red and yellow crowned kākāriki, kiwi and New Zealand pigeon/kererū/kūkupa.
*Blue duck/whio are a taonga (treasured) species that Māori have a strong cultural, spiritual, and historic connection with.
Their Māori name is whio in the North Island or ko whio whio in the South Island, which depicts the call of the male bird. They are forever watchful and will always see you before you see them, when the male will sound the alarm call.
Motueka Sandspit, Nelson/Tasman region
The walk – An internationally recognised site for local and migrant shorebirds, Motueka Sandspit is part of the Motueka River delta, which consists of the sandspit, the river mouth, and the ‘Kumaras’ estuary.
The birds – This site is considered internationally important (under the Ramsar convention for wetlands) due to the number of Eastern bar-tailed godwit/kuaka*, variable oystercatcher/tōrea, and South Island pied oystercatcher that use the site. Other birds using the site are banded dotterel/tūturiwhatu, ruddy turnstone, terns and gulls.
*Eastern bar-tailed godwits/kuaka are one of 35 species which come to New Zealand every summer from their breeding ground in the Arctic. They all fly huge distances as the seasons change to either exploit rich feeding grounds or to avoid frozen lands.
Craigieburn Nature Trail, Canterbury
The walk – The trail heads through mountain beech forest and begins at the Environmental Education Centre. You can have a close look at different stages of beech tree life and what grows on the trees – lichens and mosses – and a small insect that secretes honey dew (a small droplet of sweet liquid that birds feed on). Between late December to February the red flowers of native mistletoe/pikirangi can produce patches of blazing colour in the tree canopy.
The birds – Common native forest birds living in this area include bellbird/korimako, tomtit/miromiro and grey warbler/riroriro*.
*”In the warm sunlight of advancing summer, when the manuka-scrub is covered with its snow-white bloom and the air is laden with the fragrance of forest flowers, amidst the hum of happy insect-life, a soft trill of peculiar sweetness—like the chirping of a merry cricket—falls upon the ear, and presently a tiny bird appears for an instant on the topmost twigs of some low bush, hovers for a few moments, like a moth before a flower, or turns a somersault in the air, and then drops out of sight again. This is the Grey Warbler, the well-known Riroriro of Māori history and song.”
– Sir Walter Lawry Buller, A History of the Birds of New Zealand, 1888, London
Devils Punchbowl Walking Track, Canterbury
The walk – Follow the footbridge across the Bealey River. The next bridge, over Devils Punchbowl Creek, has a good view of the waterfall. From here, wander through lush beech forest with friendly fantail/pīwakawaka and tomtit/miromiro before climbing 150 m up a series of steps to a viewing platform at the base of this spectacular waterfall.
The birds – Kea love this place as much as people do. If you see or are approached by kea, please don’t feed them. This can change their natural behaviour and put them at risk.
There’s also a good chance you’ll hear great spotted kiwi/roroa during a twilight evening walk.
Bob’s Cove Bridal Track, Queenstown
The walk – Follow history along the original Bridle track linking Queenstown and Glenorchy. Original schist retaining walls can still be seen north of Bob’s Cove.
The birds – Kōwhai, fuchsia and rātā trees border Lake Whakatipu, feeding nectar-loving birds such as bellbird/korimako and tūī*. The tender shoots of the flowering kōwhai and fuchsia are eaten by New Zealand pigeon/kererū/kūkupa. The track also passes through one of the last remaining mature stands of red beech around Whakatipu.
*Tūī are very attractive birds that can often be heard singing their beautiful melodies before they are spotted. You will recognise them by their distinctive white tuft under their throat.
Tūi are important pollinators of many native trees and will fly large distances, especially during winter for their favourite foods. They feed mainly on nectar from flowers of native plants such as kōwhai, puriri, rewarewa, kahikatea, pohutukawa, rātā and flax/harakeke. Occasionally they will eat insects too.
Glory Track, Invercargill area
The walk – This track can be made into a loop by joining the Foveaux Walkway along the coast. Starting at either Stirling Point or Gunpit road, this track winds through diverse native bush passing historic features including the WWII gun pit and lookout bunker. There are scenic views across Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island/Rakiura and you can catch a glimpse of the iconic Dog Island Lighthouse. Throughout your journey you will notice the varied and lively birdsong brought back to Motupohue (Bluff Hill) by extensive restoration work.
The birds – The Motupohue Environment Trust has been controlling predators in the area, which has allowed the bush to regenerate and thrive. In 2017 South Island robin/kakaruai was reintroduced and now there is lively birdsong and a healthy forest environment.
Lake Gunn Nature Walk, Fiordland
The walk – This short loop takes you through a tranquil beech forest with many trees covered in moss and great views of Lake Gunn and the surrounding mountains. A short side path takes you out onto a stony beach. From here you get a good view of the mountains that surround Lake Gunn. The walk is very popular throughout the year but isn’t as busy in the colder months. The track is near the popular Cascade Creek Campsite.
The birds – The Eglinton valley is a stronghold for New Zealand’s native birds: South Island robin/kakaruai, South Island kākā, yellowhead/mohua* as well as short-tailed and long-tailed bats/pekapeka. *The yellowhead/mohua is a small, insect eating bird which lives only in the forests of New Zealand’s South Island and Stewart Island. To listen to this pretty little bird’s song, visit:
doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/native-animals/birds/bird-song/yellowhead-song.mp3
Remember: always give wildlife space
Get set for summer (doc.govt.nz)
Check out our tips for photographing birds and other wildlife in nature:
Nature Photography Beginner’s Guide
Other resources: Home page | New Zealand Birds Online (nzbirdsonline.org.nz)
