The Wildlife you might encounter on our Eco Tours Coastal and Sea Birds New Zealand is a mecca for bird watchers (or twitchers as we like to call them), the Abel Tasman National Park has a huge variety of coastal sea birds, some of them very rare. What you will see depends on the seasons and the abundance of food . Some wading birds can be found in the same few metres of beach every day of the year, whereas pelagic seabirds may be a rare sight en route across a vast ocean. That is what makes every day in nature so special as we have no idea what we will come across on any given day. Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) Kuaka The most common arctic migrant, they make an amazing 11,000km non-stop flight from Alaska to New Zealand. Large numbers arrive in September at Farewell Spit and Motueka Sand spit, but a few can be seen in Marahau at low tide.
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The Wildlife you might encounter on our Eco Tours
Coastal and Sea Birds
New Zealand is a mecca for bird watchers (or twitchers as we like to call them), the Abel
Tasman National Park has a huge variety of coastal sea birds, some of them very rare. What
you will see depends on the seasons and the abundance of food . Some wading birds can be
found in the same few metres of beach every day of the year, whereas pelagic seabirds may be
a rare sight en route across a vast ocean. That is what makes every day in nature so special as
we have no idea what we will come across on any given day.
Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) Kuaka
The most common arctic migrant, they make an amazing 11,000km non-stop flight from Alaska
to New Zealand. Large numbers arrive in September at Farewell Spit and Motueka Sand spit,
but a few can be seen in Marahau at low tide.
Pied oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) Törea
AKA SIPO; the most common NZ Oystercatcher, it is endemic to NZ and breeds inland only on
the South Island. It breeds in herb fields, alpine tundra, paddocks and cultivated land, braided
river beds and lake beaches, and spends the rest of the year on beaches and estuaries on both
islands. Numbers were declining in at the turn of the 20th century; due to hunting, but have
rebounded after protection in 1940. The population of around 110,000 is of ‘Least Concern’
status.
Black / variable oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) Töreapango
Larger than SIPO and also endemic, these oystercatchers can vary from completely black to a
mottled black and white breast. Monogamous pairs breed from October – February near the
beach and defend their nest aggressively; they are often seen flocking on the edges of SIPO
flocks after breeding. Conservation status; recovering.
Pied stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Poaka
Found throughout the tropics and sub-tropics in both hemispheres, the pied stilt can be seen at
Marahau at low tide. It feeds on insects and small marine invertebrates. Conservation status;
Least Concern.
Reef heron (Egretta sacra) Matukutuku
Prefers the warmer climes of the northern North Island and is found throughout Polynesia and
Asia where it is widespread and abundant. Several pairs can be found feeding on small fish and
invertebrates in pools on the rocky shorelines and estuaries of the park. New Zealand’s rarest
heron, it is estimated there are only 300 – 500 birds in the country. It is smaller than the similar
white-faced heron, and is usually solitary; occurring in naturally low densities. Breeding occurs
around December time and nests are usually in low lying overhangs, caves and crevices.
Hector’s dolphins are endemic to Aotearoa, these tiny dolphins get no bigger than 1.5m long. They are distinguished by their round dorsal fin. They are reasonably short lived at 20 years maximum, and they inhabit very shallow and often turbid waters. It can be very hard to spot a Hector’s as they make very small splashes, and can often be mistaken for a seal. Since I started work in the Abel Tasman in 2002, I had probably seen less than 10 Hector’s. This has changed in the last couple of years, we are seeing pods of Hector’s much more regularly at all times of year, with my largest sighting of 25 at once. When the government banned set netting around parts of the country to protect the Hector’s and Maui Dolphin populations, Te Tau Ihu (Top of the South) was ignored as there was not enough data to suggest that they are present here. Hector’s are little homebody dolphins, with a linear range of around 50km of coast. This means that local populations can be genetically distinct, with the gene pool being enriched by the occasional errant roamer from another rohe (area). The world is watching New Zealand to see how we prevent these dolphins from going extinct, at the time of writing, a draft Threat Management plan has been released, presenting the options.
Kākāriki or yellow-crowned parakeets are a delight to see, these small, vivid green,parrots spend most of their time high in the canopy. You are most likely to see them on our Promised Land tour through the Wainui valley, chattering up in the trees.
Like kākā, they are hole nesters, making them extremely vulnerable to predators, once common in the park they have been decimated.
Thanks to conservation group Project Janszoon, their stronghold in the inland are of the park has been made safer from predators such as rats, stoats and possums. Captive raised birds have been released, with more planned.
South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) Tieke
(Photo: Dave Buckton)
One of Aotearoa’s rarest and most recognizable birds, Tieke have a bold brown saddle and distinctive orange-red wattle. Their distinctive call sounds like a squeaky wheel to us.
In 2014, The Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust transferred 40 Tieke to Motu Aorere nui / Adele Island, and we often hear them in the bush on our Golden Future Boat tour.
They belong to an ancient group of wattlebirds or Callaeidae which include the endangered kōkako and extinct huia. As ground nesters, they are particularly vulnerable to rats, and so were virtually wiped out on the mainland, they only now thrive today on predator free islands. Conservation status: recovering
Mohua / Yellowhead (Mohoua ocrocephala)
(Photo: Glenda Rees / NZbirds Online)
Endemic to NZ. Once one of the most common birds, they are now only found in native forests
in the South Island, these birds were once common in the park, but are now gone. With a lovely
song and bright yellow plumage, these birds are conspicuous by their absence here. Mohua
haven’t been seen in the park for decades, however a study from the early 900’s describes
hundreds of ‘bush canaries’ in the inland part of the park. Project Janszoon has plans for
reintroduction of this species once the predators are under control. Conservation status:
Recovering
Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala) Miromiro
(Photo Dave Buckton)
A relative of the South Island Robin, these stealthy songbirds are generally found in pristine native
bush and scrub land. You will see a flash out of the corner of your eye and there it is, perched
on a tree trunk. It almost feels as if they are stalking you through the bush. Such a delight to see,
we almost always encounter them on our Promised Land Tour, and sometimes on the Golden
Future tour. Conservation status: Not Threatened.
Grey Duck (Anas superciliosa) Parera
(Photo: Dave Buckton)
This beautiful native duck is sometimes seen along the coasts and estuaries of the park. The
distinctive black eyes stripe, blue wing bar and khaki legs are indicators it is pure bed. Once
widespread across Aotearoa, this species is now considered very rare as it has happily
hybridised with the introduced mallard duck. Hybrids have yellowy tinged beaks, orange legs
and a less defined eye stripe amongst other features. Duck hunters call them Gallards, and on
the wing are hard to distinguish from other ducks. Luckily the Abel Tasman birds are safe from
buckshot,
Brown Teal (Anas chlorotis) Pateke
(Photo: Ruth Bollongino)
Once widespread throughout Aotearoa, in the last 200 years this member of a family three
endemic Teal species has become very rare. Introduced predators such as cats have virtually
wiped them out. Where predator control is occurring, they can be locally common. Project
Janszoon has created a safe place for them at Awaroa, and over 100 have been released into
their new home. Abel Tasman is now considered a nationally important site for this special bird.
Conservation status: Recovering.
Blue Duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) Who
(Photo: Stew Robertson)
Whio is the Maori word for whistle. This ancient order of ducks are unique in that they inhabit
fast flowing rivers. They use their special beak to shovel invertebrates from the river gravels.
Pairs can be territorial, and we have witnessed them aggressively moving on other species of
duck in the Fall’s river. Project Janszoon has recently released a few pairs in the upper Wainui
river (where our Promised Land Tour goes) and the lower Fall’s river, to boost the very rare
natural population. Kia kaha Whio!
South Island Robin (Petroica australis) Toutouwai
(Photo: Bernard van Dierendonck)
Endemic to NZ, robins are not classed as nationally threatened but are seen rarely on the
mainland park. They have been introduced by ATBST to Adele Island from the Canaan Downs
population and it is estimated that for every one introduced bird there are now around nine that
were hatched on the island. This is a good indicator of the beneficial effects of predator control.
They occur in forest and scrub habitats, the males are great songsters and if you remain quiet,
robins will approach within a metre. In April 2016 ATBST transferred 50 from Adele to Pitt Head.
Western weka (Gallirallus australis australis)
(Photo: Stew Robertson)
The cheeky weka is a character that keeps campers on their toes. Turn your eye for a second
and they will be in your bag looking for food. Six years ago, weka were considered very rare in
the park. Since then, a small population were released at Totaranui, this has coincided with a
natural population explosion and now they are everywhere. They are a natural predator of lizards,
quail and other small ground dwelling animals, and they have also been witnessed taking banded
rail and fernbird. As a protected species, they left to do their thing. It’s always entertaining to
watch their antics at lunch time.
Green Forest Gecko (Naultinus stellatus)
(Photo: Dr Paddy Ryan / NHC)
Or Nelson Green Gecko, one of the rarest in the country. NZ geckos are endemic and very
primitive; they are among the only live bearing geckos in the world (one in New Caledonia). They
are present on the offshore islands in the park but seldom seen. They are active by day, feeding
on moths and insects in Manuka and kanuka scrub. Without complete predator control they
struggle to survive.
Carnivorous giant land snail (Powelliphanta sp.)
(Photo: Stew Robertson)
Mostly in the higher areas of the park, Golden Bay and the top of the south is a stronghold for this
family of carnivorous snails.
Introduced Pest Animals
As a result of millennia evolving with few natural predators, New Zealand native and endemic
biodiversity is extremely vulnerable to the new swathe of introduced species. According to
ecologist John Innes; introduced predators kill around 86 million native birds every year; which is
thought to be a conservative estimate, and at least 2788 native species are threatened with
extinction. With statistics like this, it is no surprise that New Zealand conservation focusses on
the eradication and exclusion of introduced species from contained areas such as islands and
headlands; before re-introductions of indigenous species can occur. Re-introductions cost
money, and at present conservation groups are cautious about doing this without first eradicating
pests. The key species found in the Abel Tasman are as follows:
Rats (Rattus sp.)
Norway Rats
Norway rats came on the ships of European explorers like Captain Cook, in the late 1700’s. They
are the biggest rats in New Zealand. Also known as water rats, they like to live in wet places like
swamps or damp forests. They aren’t very good climbers so they often eat animals that live on
the ground, like our flightless birds and insects the giant weta.
Ship Rats
Ship rats came with the sailing ships that brought European settlers to New Zealand in the 1800’s.
They usually live and make their nests in trees. Now ship rats live in forests and cities all over
New Zealand.
Rattus sp. caught in a GoodNature ™ trap at Pitt Head, March 2013 (Photo: Stew Robertson)
Stoats
(Photo: DOC website)
Stoats (Mustela ermine) were brought to NZ from Europe in the 1880’s as a form of bio-control,
to keep numbers of introduced rabbits and hares in check. All did not go as planned and the
stoats invaded NZ native forests, predating on the vulnerable native birds, reptiles, amphibians
and insects that had not evolved with adaptations to evade such a predator. They also predate
mice, rats, rabbits and hares; therefore when food is abundant, their numbers can explode. They
are now considered ‘public enemy number one’ to NZ biodiversity. All female stoats are thought
to be pregnant when they leave the nest, as they have a sordid lifecycle of infant impregnation,
the birth is generally held off until the spring. They have been known to swim up to 1.1km across
water to offshore islands, this occurred in 2012 at Adele Island, prompting an immediate response
from DoC. Stoat trapping is a primary focus of both Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust and Project
Janszoon.
Brushtail Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)
(Photo: DoC)
Brought to NZ in 1837 from Australia to establish a fur trade. They have no natural predators
here and a huge supply of palatable vegetation, the result was a population explosion that has
had hugely negative impacts on our native forests. Possums are virtually impossible to eradicate
as they are generalists, found in every NZ habitat, they also are known to take buds and flowers,
fruits, ferns, bark, fungi, invertebrates, native birds and eggs, land snails and carrion. They are a
carrier of bovine TB.
Feral Pigs (Sus scrofa)
(Photo: Greater Wellington Regional Council)
Are descended from domestic pigs released by early European explorers in the late 18th century.
They are omnivorous, grazing vegetation but also requiring protein in the form of invertebrates
such as earthworms and giant land snails; they also trample and destroy ground dwelling bird
nests and native seedlings. Their rooting activities cause habitat destruction and de-stabilisation,
and they carve game trails through the native forest, this is prevalent in the Abel Tasman National
Park. Also a carrier of bovine TB.
Red Deer (Cervus elaphus scoticus)
(Photo: www.huntingadventures.co.nz)
Primarily introduced to the South Island in 1851 as a pair, the hind was shot before they had a
chance to breed. They were then re-introduced in 1856, and the population rapidly spread, this
was followed by many more liberations by acclimatisation societies on both islands. Deer are
defoliators, grazing and ring barking native trees. A small population exists in the park.
Feral Goats (Capra hircus)
(Photo: DoC)
Released in the early 1800’s, feral goats are wide ranging generalists, found from lowland forests
to upland scrub. They have similar detrimental effects to deer in the environment. There is a
population of these in the park and they are being controlled by Project Janszoon.
Pest Plants
Wilding Conifers / Pines (Pinus radiata and pinaster)
(Photo: Stew Robertson)
Pines that have wildly seeded from exotic plantations of Monterey and Maritime pine are a major
problem in the park. Left unchecked they lead to a decrease in biodiversity as they shade other
plants and change soil Ph. These are remnants of historical pine plantations and neighbouring
existing plantations. Pine trees were introduced to New Zealand before 1860. Much of the work
of ATBST and Project Janszoon focuses on their removal; currently by two methods:
Stem poisoning involves drilling 20mm x 50mm holes at 50 cm intervals in trunk at 30 – 50cm
height above ground; which are then filled with 25ml of a Metsulphuron-methyl or Glyphosphate
/ water mix. Works very well on Radiata pines.
Basal spraying, for trees still in the soft bark stage, is effectively chemical ring barking. A mix of
Grason and oil/diesel sprayed on the bark. Both methods kill the trees in a matter of days, they
are then left to rot naturally, creating habitat for insects and birds.
Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
(Photo: Wikimedia.org)
Was introduced very early on in NZ’s colonial history. Originally planted as a hedge plant, gorse
grows extremely well in the NZ climate and became out of control. Its seeds can remain dormant
for 50 years, so removal of the plant gives the seeds opportunity to germinate and grow. On the
bright side, it can be a useful nursery area for native plants, which eventually out shade it. This
has happened in places like Pitt Head. It is also a nitrogen fixing plant, so ironically is providing
nutrients to the infertile granite soils and as acting as a regenerative species.
Willow-leavedhakea (Hakea salicifolia)
(Photo: Stew Robertson)
Hakea has begun to dominate the arid ridgelines of some areas in the national park; it is a bright
green bushy plant that stands out well from the deeper green of the native bush. Native to Eastern
Australia, it is pyrophilic or ‘fire loving’, and its seed pods have evolved to burst open with heat.
Attempts to chop hakea down have resulted in sun-baked seed pods and uncontrolled spread of
this noxious pest. The current school of thought is just to leave it alone and hope that the native
forest will eventually out-compete the hakea.
There are many other less obvious pest weed species in the national park. For a complete list of
all plants and animals likely to be found in the Abel Tasman National Park please refer to: