Twenty observation points have been established within the Park and 5 min bird counts were recorded at each station in November 2006 and 2009.
In 2009, a total of 21 species were recorded. The most commonly counted species was the blackbird, followed by silvereyes. Other common introduced species included chaffinch, starling, goldfinch, thrush and skylark (in open areas only). Common natives were silvereyes, grey warbler, tui and fantails. (Note: some birds are more observable and/ or distinctive than others, so total count may not always reflect relative abundance).
Blackbirds were recorded at all stations. Grey Warblers were recorded at 16 of the 20 stations. Silvereyes were recorded at 14 of 20 stations, being largely absent from open areas.
We are always interested to hear about your bird observations in the Park, particularly native species not seen frequently. Contact us
Native: 2006 2009
Australasian Harrier (occasional visitor) Circus approximans x
Black-backed gull (occasional visitor) Larus dominicanus x
Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa x x
Grey Warbler Gerygone igata x x
Kaka (may be visiting only, not breeding here) Nestor meridionalis x
Kereru (rare – pair in Trickle Falls valley) Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
North Island robin (rare) Petroica australis longipes
Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae x x
Shining cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus x x
Silvereye Zosterops lateralis x x
Tui Prosthemadera novaseelandiae x x
Whitehead Mohoua albicilla x
Bellbird? (rare) Anthornis melanura
North Island tomtit? (rare) Petroica macrocephala
Welcome swallow?
Introduced:
Blackbird Turdus merula x x
California quail Callipepla californica x x
Chaffinch Fringilla coeleb x x
Dunnock / hedge sparrow Prunella modularis x x
Eastern Rosella (rare) Platycercus eximius
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis x x
Greenfinch (rare) Carduelis chloris x
House sparrow Passer domesticus x x
Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen x x
Mallard duck Anas platyrhynchos x x
Pheasant (rare) Phasianus colchius
Redpoll Carduelis flammea x x
Skylark Alauda arvensis x x
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos x x
Spur-winged plover (occasional) Vanellus miles
Starling Sturnus vulgaris x x
Turkey (very rare) Meleagris gallopavo
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella x x
‘x’ denotes birds that were counted during the 5 minute counts. Other birds were observed or heard outside of the counting period, or have been reported by other people.