Spotted a Sacred Kingfisher / Kōtare (Todiramphus sanctus) today, taking a break between rain showers at Motukaraka Point, Pauatahanui. Such a beautiful blue. Bird #50 in 2024. #nzbirds #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #birding #birdwatching #kingfisher #pauatahanui

South Island pied oystercatcher / tōrea (Haematopus finschi) tourists freedom camping at Pāuatahanui, just poopin' where ever - tried to approach them about it and they got quite threatening, before flying off screaming. Bird #51 in 2024. #nzbirds #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand

Australian coot (Fulica atra) at Lake Henley in Masterton - look at those feet. Bird #52 in 2024. #nzbirds #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand

Something arty in your day, a silvereye / tauhou (Zosterops lateralis) captured in the moody dawn light of Greytown a couple of months ago. Perched in what I think is a crabapple tree. Bird #53 of 2024. #BirdsSeenIn2024 #nzbirds #NewZealand #birding #birdwatching #silvereye

The fernbirds have ventured beyond the sanctuary at Pauatahanui, dispersing across the inlet like seeds on the wind. We spotted two popping their heads out like a couple of confidently camouflaged scallywags. Fernbird / mātātā (Poodytes punctatus). #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand

Tomtit / miromiro (Petroica macrocephala) in Greytown. #BirdsSeenIn2024 #birding #tomtit #birdwatching #NewZealand

Just returned from a birding week in the Auckland Region, a new adventure for us — and it did not disappoint. We spotted four lifers, including this buff-banded rail/moho pererū (Gallirallus philippensis) at Shakespear Regional Park. #nzbirds #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand

We were chuffed with several sightings of stitchbirds / hihi (Notiomystis cincta) flitting around the waterfall area along the Waterfall Track at Shakespear Regional Park, Auckland. Bird species #55 for 2024. #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #nzbirds #birding #birdwatching

First time for me spotting Pacific golden plovers / kuriri (Pluvialis fulva) in New Zealand! Spotted a group of 14 at the Robert Finlay Reserve in Thames. Not the best photo, but an amazing sighting for us nonetheless. Bird #56 in 2024. #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #birding

I'm normally thrilled to see bar-tailed godwits, but I was feeling the strain wanting them to move so I could get a decent shot of the Australian tern (Gelochelidon macrotarsa) amongst them. The Australian tern is a lifer for me. Bird #57 in 2024. #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand

Spotted doves (Streptopelia chinensis) might be common across Auckland and parts of the Kapiti Coast, but I'm pleased to add one to this year’s list. Spotted at Beachlands, Auckland. Bird #58 for 2024. #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #birding #birdwatching

Watching the Australasian gannets / tākapu (Morus serrator) soaring and wheeling around and spotting their nest mounds on the headland at the Muriwai Gannet Colony was brilliant. Bird #59 for 2024. #nzbirds #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #birding #birdwatching

Of course I wanted him to stand on top of the gravel heap and face me, but he had his own design aesthetics and preferred off centre-right, side profile. Spur-winged plover (Vanellus miles) at Beachlands, Auckland. Bird #60 in 2024. #nzbirds #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #birding

Someone looks like they wintered well. A rotund chaffinch / pahirini (Fringilla coelebs), resting his guts on the branch - I'd do that too if I was a bird. Bird #61 in 2024. #nzbirds #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #birding #birdwatching

A pied stilt / poaka (Himantopus leucocephalus) with legs nicely camouflaged in the grasswort. My legs are sometimes about this colour in the summer as well - followed by rapid moult. Bird #62 in 2024. #nzbirds #BirdsSeenIn2024 #piedstilt #NewZealand #birding #birdwatching

Common myna (Acridotheres tristis) on the fairway at the Formosa Golf Course near Auckland. They do have the most amazing eyes - like little star systems twinkling away. Bird #63 in 2024. #nzbirds #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #birding #birdwatching

A Eurasian skylark / kairaka (Alauda arvensis) hiding in the wet grass. Bird #64 in 2024. #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #birding #birdwatching

A threefer at the Robert Finlay Reserve in Thames, NZ, bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica) in the background, red knots (Calidris canutus) in the foreground, and a lone ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) in the middle. Birds #65 and #66 in 2024. #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand

Spotted a European goldfinch / kōurarini (Carduelis carduelis) enjoying the New Year’s Eve buffet at the Manor Park Golf Sanctuary, Lower Hutt. Bird #67 in 2024. #BirdsSeenIn2024 #NewZealand #birding #birdwatching

Hi Folks, I've moved over to Blue Sky - bsky.app/profile/louthe… for this year's birding, if anyone that wants to join me over there. Cheers Louise