Our vision – Taranaki is a stronghold for seabirds and shorebirds which thrive from our clifftops and rocky shores to the slopes of the Mounga and are celebrated by all as a regional point of pride.
ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
Restoring seabirds and shorebirds holding mana whenua and community aspirations as a driving force, aiming to empower the people of Taranaki to take action for these species.
Action will focus in specific areas of the coastline, termed “Safe Havens”. These safe havens will allow seabirds and shorebirds to thrive, unimpeded, returning in greater numbers year on year before eventually overflowing into neighbouring sites around the region. Taking a regional approach to this model allows sites to be chosen in a way that avoids conflicts with existing land use and facilitates greater positive impact both on land and at sea.
GET INVOLVED
Check out the ID guides in our resources section and start to notice the birds you encounter as you go about your day-to-day activities.
If you are feeling confident, you could report your sightings on eBird and contribute to the NZ Birds Atlas.
In some cases, we may hear the birds before we see them (if at all). This is often the case for nocturnal species like kororā and tītī. NZ birds online not only have an excellent library of photos for NZ species but they also have audio recordings for each species. Perfect for working out who your noisy neighbour might be!
A “beach wreck” is the term for a dead bird washed up on the coast. Sad as they are, these occurrences are worth reporting. A lot can be learned from the type, age, and location of a beach wreck. Take a photo of your finding, and email to [email protected] along with a location. PLEASE DON’T HANDLE DEAD BIRDS.
If you regularly, walk beaches in the region, you may even consider filling out beach patrol forms which can be found here.
We are lucky to live in a region with a wide variety of seabirds and shorebirds. They are wonderfully diverse and quirky much like us. Take photos, enjoy the racket they make and share our coast with care. Follow Te Whānau Toroa on Facebook
SEABIRDS AND SHOREBIRDS OF TARANAKI
In 2021, Wild for Taranaki commissioned a Scoping Report for Te Whānau Toroa. Amongst other things, the report provides a detailed insight into seabirds and shorebirds of Taranaki and what the future could look like. Happy reading!
