TANE 22, 1976

RECORDS OF BIRDS FROM T H E LEIGH DISTRICT, NEW Z E A L A N D

by F . J . Taylor

Marine Research Laboratory, University of Auckland, R.D., Leigh

S U M M A R Y A n annotated species list is given of the birds noted from 1966-1975 in the

Leigh area of North Auckland. 90 species are listed from the area wi th a further three doubtful records.

I N T R O D U C T I O N This account is intended to pull together casual observations made during

residence in the district for the last ten years. The area is in the North Island of New Zealand, 100km north of Auckland at the north-western point of the Hauraki Gulf . The boundaries o f the district are taken as the coastal waters from the Pakiri River mouth to the Matakana River mouth, up the Matakana River to Matakana village, following the Whangaripo Valley Road to its junction with the Wellsford-Pakiri High Road, and thence along the road to the Pakiri River mouth. Kawau Island is excluded, but the coastal waters out as far as, but not including, Little Barrier Island are included. However, some records from just outside this area are also included and are placed in brackets, as are dubious records. References to 'A ino la ' are to the author's home on Goat Island Road.

The area is composed mainly of farmland with scattered bush remnants, though the hi l l Tamahunga remains well wooded. The areas of bush are being reduced considerably as the result o f farming activities. Whangateau Harbour is an extensive estuarine embayment which attracts some waders. The Matakana River estuary also attracts these birds, but is more frequented by people and boats. There is a small, but interesting patch of a similar habitat near the Pakiri River mouth, but this is rapidly being made unsuitable for birds by interference from the occupants of the newly established motor camp there. Similarly, Broadland's Omaha development scheme has spoilt the Mangatawhiri Spit for naturalists.

There have been a number of changes in the bird population over the past ten years. One of the most prominent is the rise of the myna, and the decline of species like the starling and the house sparrow, which has been attributed to the aggressive behaviour of the myna. Other birds which have increased noticeably are the pukeko and the kingfisher, and the recent immigrants, the white-faced heron and the welcome swallow.

Although most o f the records are my own, I would like to acknowledge records, especially of petrels, shearwaters and other sea birds made by Dr J.P. Croxall in 1969-71, and records and information from Mr G . J . H . Moon and Mr G . Buxton . There are also a few literature records, but the bird notes in Notornis for instance have not been scanned thoroughly.

The scientific and common names follow Falla, Sibson and Turbott

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(1970). Birds known to breed currently in the area are indicated wi th an asterisk. Probable breeders are indicated by an asterisk and a question mark.

A N N O T A T E D SPECIES L I S T Apteryx australis mantelli - Nor th Island Brown K i w i

Reputedly heard by local residents around Tamahunga. The only certain records are of eggs found during scrub burning on our side of the Whangaripo Valley Road about 1960, and one killed by a dog in Matakana Village in 1971.

l*Eudyptula minor — Lit t le Blue Penguin Frequently seen in coastal waters. Formerly nested at Goat Island Bay,

probably still does elsewhere in the region. A mass mortality occurred in March-April 1975, wi th 20-30 dead birds per

kilometre on Pakiri Beach. They bore no signs of disease, but all examined had empty stomachs, and it is conjectured that the exceptionally high sea temperatures that summer caused a diminution in the food supply.

(Megadyptes antipodes — Yellow-eyed Penguin) One reported dead at Matheson Bay, 1970. Specimen not seen.

Macronectes giganteus — Giant Petrel Not uncommon offshore in autumn and winter. Live bird seen off Goat

Island, November 1969. Dead birds seen at Pakiri Beach 1966 (Roberts 1975), 1968, 1971.

Daption capensis — Cape Pigeon One found dead, Pakiri Beach, October 1968.

Pachyptila belcheri - Narrow-billed Prion One found dead, Pakiri Beach, September 1969, February 1976.

Pachyptila turtur — Fairy Prion Seen offshore throughout the year in flocks.

Pachyptila sp. — Prion Unidentified prions, not Fairy Prions, have been recorded occasionally.

Puffinus carneipes — Flesh-footed Shearwater Common offshore.

Puffinus bulleri - Butler's Shearwater Abundant offshore.

Puffinus griseus — Sooty Shearwater Occasional offshore. One dead, Goat Island Bay, November 1975.

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Puffinus tenuirostris - Short-tailed Shearwater Rare offshore (J . Croxall) . Five dead, Pakiri February 1966 (Roberts

1975).

Puffinus gavia — Fluttering Shearwater Abundant offshore.

Puffinus assimilis — Al l ied Shearwater Occasional offshore (J . Croxall) . One found dead, Pakiri Beach, September

1969.

Procellaria parkinsoni — Black Petrel Rare offshore. Seen close inshore round Leigh and Matheson Bay after bad

storms. (Breeds on Little Barrier Island.)

Pterodroma macroptera - Grey-faced Petrel Occasional offshore. Six dead, Pakir i , February 1966 (Roberts 1975).

(Breeds on Lit t le Barrier Island.)

Pterodroma lessoni — White headed Petrel One dead, Pakiri , February 1966 (Roberts 1975). Possibly in our area.

Pterodroma pycrofti - Pycroft's Petrel Occasional offshore. One dead, Goat Island Beach, 1970, (J . Croxall) .

(Breeds on Hen Island.)

Pterodroma cooki - Cook's Petrel Occasional offshore. One skull , Goat Island Beach (J . Croxall) . Five dead,

Pakiri , February 1966 (Roberts 1975). (Breeds on Little Barrier Island.)

Pelagodroma marina - White-faced Storm Petrel Common offshore (J. Croxall) .

Pelecanoides urinatrix urinatrix — Northern Diving Petrel Common offshore and sometimes close inshore in large flocks. Frequently

found dead on Pakiri and Goat Island Beaches. (Breeds on Lit t le Barrier Island in small numbers.)

Sula senator — Australian Gannet Common, often feeding very close inshore. Banded birds recovered in the

district were banded as chicks on White Island and at Cape Kidnappers.

Phalacrocorax carbo — Black Shag Common. Seen up to one kilometre inland on Goat Island Road.

*Phalacrocorax varius - Pied Shag Common. Breeds on Goat Island, and formerly at Matheson's Bay. Has

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been seen up to a kilometre inland near Goat Island Bay.

Phalacrocorax sulcirostris - Lit t le Black Shag 3-5 frequently seen on Whangateau Harbour. Occasional at Goat Island

Bay.

Phalacrocorax melanoleucos brevirostris - Litt le Shag (Little Pied and White-Throated Shags) Uncommon. Up to three birds have been seen at infrequent intervals.

*Ardea novae hollandiae — White-faced Heron Common. 18 were seen in a half-hectare paddock near Point Wells in July

1975. First arrived in the district about 1960. One bird seen on Whangateau Harbour in 1972-3 had a completely white head and a white patch extending half way down the neck. The same, or a similar bird, was noted by G . J . H . Moon at Sandspit in October 1975 and by the author at Whangateau Harbour in December 1975.

(Egretta alba - White Heron) Frequently reported from Whangateau Harbour, but owing to confusion

with the Lit t le Egret by untrained observers, reliable records are required.

Egretta garzetta — Litt le Egret One bird, Whangateau Harbour, June 1969. Two birds regularly seen there

in winter 1975, often wi th White-faced Herons, and on one occasion three were seen together (December 1975). Over the same period one bi rd , probably one of the above, was seen in Pakiri River.

*Egretta sacra - Blue Reef Heron Frequently seen at Goat Island Bay, and on the Whangateau Harbour.

Botaurus poiciloptilus — Australian Brown Bittern Rare. Formerly occurred near Big Omaha and Point Wells; still seen

occasionally near Big Omaha ( G . Buxton) . Nest found in rushes on north side of Pakiri River about 1960 by G . J . H . Moon , who also saw a bird in the same area about 1971.

Tadorna variegata — Paradise Duck A pair seen round Pakiri River Mouth in spring 1967, 1969,1973. O n each

occasion they remained for 2-3 weeks.

Anas superciliosa - Grey Duck One seen Pakiri , 1969, (J. Croxall) .

*Anas platyrhyncos — Mallard Occasional on ponds in the district.

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*Anser cinereus - Domestic Goose A population in Goat Island Road has been neglected since 1969 and can

be regarded as completely feral. A pinioned gander and two geese were released in 1969 and subsequently ignored by the owner. They have bred regularly since then and all the progeny are free-flying. Since 1972 their numbers have stabilised at between 20 and 30. Four or five goslings are born every year. There does not appear to be any obvious mortality in the flock so the stable population appears to be maintained by either poaching or migration. The range of the flock is over about 5 k m 2 .

* Circus approximans - Harrier Common.

(Falco novaeseelandiae — New Zealand Falcon) There were several reports of this from the Warkworth and Matheson Bay

areas in 1972-73, but none were confirmed by experienced observers. It is possible that some records may refer to a Nankeen Kestrel (see below.)

Falco cenchroides — Nankeen Kestrel One seen behind Goat Island Bay in December 1972. The bird, a female,

perched on a fence post by the side of the road and permitted an extensive close view. The head, back and mantle were reddish brown and the tail was barred. The underparts were creamy-white, flecked with brown. When perched it had the typical falcon stance (also described to me independently by another observer who passed the bird) and when it flew it did so with typical kestrel flight, but was not seen to hover. I was familiar with this species at the time, having returned only a fortnight previously from six months in Australia where it was common.

*Synoicus australis — Australian Brown Quail Frequent. Resident in the Goat Island Bay area, since at least 1966, where

it is breeding happily.

*Lophortyx californica — Californian Quail Frequent, but erratic in appearance. Regularly seen in the Goat Island Bay

area 1966-1970, but only infrequently since then.

*Phasianus colchicus — Pheasant Common. Most forms approximate to the Chinese Ringnecked Pheasant

(var. torquatus).

Gallirallus australis — Weka 45 birds were liberated in the Dome Valley by G . J . H . Moon in 1965 for

the Wildlife Department, just outside our area. Seen near Matakana 1973.

*Rallus philippensis - Banded Rail Whangateau Harbour and Pakiri . Still breeding in both places despite

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disturbance of the habitat, but G . J . H . Moon reports that in the Whangateau Harbour over the past four years, depredation of the nests has occurred, probably by rats from the near-by dump. One visited a creek in Goat Island Road for three weeks in September 1974.

*Porphyrio melanotus — Pukeko Common. Increased in numbers. On Goat Island Road the resident

population in 1966 was three, this had increased to fourteen in 1971, when ten were seen on the lawn at Ainola at one time. Since then the population has fallen to ten.

Haematopus reischeki — Variable Oystercatcher Not uncommon, Whangateau Harbour, and Pakiri . Two to three pairs bred

at Pakiri up to about 1965 (G. J .H . Moon) .

Haematopus unicolor — Northern Oystercatcher Frequent, Whangateau Harbour and Pakiri . Bred at Pakiri up to 1973, but

not apparently in 1974 or 1975.

Charadrius bicinctus - Banded Dotterel Common, Whangateau Harbour and Pakiri . Decreasing in numbers at Pakiri

as the result o f increased visitor pressure. Used to breed at Pakir i , but not lately (G.J .H. Moon).

Charadrius obscurus — Red-breasted (New Zealand) Dotterel Frequent, Whangateau Harbour and Pakiri . Used to breed at Pakiri , but

not lately ( G . J . H . Moon) .

Numenius madagascariensis — Long-billed (Eastern) Curlew One, Pakir i , 1969 (J . Croxall) [Recorded from Little Barrier Island,

September 1945 by Turbott (1947)] .

Numenius variegatus — Asiatic Whimbrel Pakiri — Oliver (1955) (as A', phaeopus variegatus).

Limosa lapponica —Bar-tailed Godwit Common, Whangateau Harbour. (An estimated 400 in October 1975.)

Occasional, Pakiri . Summer visitor.

*Himantopus leucocephalus — Pied Stilt Common, Whangateau Harbour, Pakiri . Formerly about 60 pairs bred on

wet meadows at Pakiri , but drainage in 1970 has reduced this to about five pairs.

Stercorarius parasiticus — Arct ic Skua Occasional offshore (J . Croxall) . Recorded "o f f Le igh" by McKenzie

(1950).

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Stercorarius pomarinus — Pomarine Skua Rare offshore (J . Croxall) .

*Larus dominicanus — Southern Black-backed Gul l Common throughout. About 25 pairs nest on Goat Island.

*Larus scopulinus — Red-billed Gul l Common. Breeds on Goat Island and some of the other islets near Cape

Rodney.

Hydroprogne caspia — Caspian Tern Common. Bred about 15km north of our area, near Mangawhai, up to

1974.

Sterna nereis — Fairy Tern Rare. Formerly bred north of our area and visited the southern end of

Pakiri Beach for feeding.

*Sterna striata — White-fronted Tern Common. Breeds on Goat Island.

*Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae — New Zealand Pigeon Common.

Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis- Nor th Island Kaka Occasional, but increasing. Up to 1972 was a frequent winter visitor to

Matheson's Bay and Leigh Harbour in small numbers (two to three). Since then there has been a semi-permanent population of up to 15 round Leigh Harbour. In 1975 they spread to Goat Island Bay. A l l these birds are thought to be derived from the Little Barrier population.

Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae — Red-crowned Parakeet A pair has visited a farm at Big Omaha on rare occasions for some years,

but stayed and attempted to breed in 1973. Eggs were laid, but were lost when the branch o f the tree in which the nest was excavated broke off (G. Buxton).

*Platycercus eximius — Rosella Frequent. A population of about ten pairs maintains itself round Goat

Island Bay.

*Chalcites lucidus — Shining Cuckoo Occasional in bush remnants.

Eudynamis taitensis — Long-tailed Cuckoo Rare. Recorded at the Marine Research Laboratory, Goat Island Bay, in

September 1968, and again in September 1969. In both cases the birds appeared

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during a storm. The first one stayed for one day only, the second remained in the vicinity for five days.

*Ninox novaeseelandiae — Morepork Frequent.

*Halcyon sancta — Kingfisher Common, increasing in numbers. There is a seasonal movement onto the

beaches in the area in winter and back to farmland in the summer. In the winter of 1975 up to fourteen were regularly seen on the intertidal rocks at low tide. By spring of the same year, only one or two were noted, and none during the summer.

l*Dacelo gigas — Kookaburra Occasional. Most frequently seen and heard in the Whangateau — Leigh

area and rarely out to Goat Island Bay. The mainland population is usually considered to have originated in an overflow from the Kawau population originally liberated by Sir George Grey in the 1870's, which is the only liberated population to survive. Surprisingly, Thompson (1922) states "Sir George Grey introduced a number into Kawau in the early sixties, but they all died."

*Alauda arvensis Skylark Frequent in grassland.

*Hirundo neoxena — Welcome Swallow Now common. The southward spread in the 1960's by-passed our area to

the west. The first record in our area was from Point Wells in 1969. In 1970 six were seen at Pakiri and others at Leigh. Since then it has spread throughout the area. Although most nests are under bridges, one pair (or series of pairs) has nested in a sea-cave near Goat Island Bay since 1971.

*Rhipidura fuliginosa — Fantail Common. Black fantail (dark phase), Leigh (Oliver 1955). A bird (or a

series o f birds) with an all-white tail has been seen in the Goat Island Bay area since 1972. In 1975 another bird had only two black tail feathers, the rest being all white.

(Petroica macrocephala — Tomtit) Not so far recorded from our area, but has been seen in native bush 1km

along Gowan Wilson's Road, on the other side of the Whangaripo Valley Road.

*Bowdleria punctata — Fernbird Rare, Pakiri and probably still breeding there (G . J .H . Moon) .

*Gerygone igata — Grey Warbler Common.

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*Turdus philomelos - Song Thrush Common.

*Turdus merula — Blackbird Common.

*Prunella modularis — Hedge Sparrow Occasional.

*Anthus novaeseelandiae — New Zealand Pipit Common, especially on roadsides.

?*Anthomis melanura — Bellbird Frequent round Leigh Harbour. One pair visited the Goat Island Bay

region for two months in spring 1973, but did not stay to breed. There has been a recent spread of this species from Little Barrier Island to the mainland, beginning in 1951 when a bellbird was seen at Warkworth, the first one on the mainland for about 50 years (Turbott 1953).

*Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae — Tui Common.

Anthochaera carunculata - Red Wattle Bird One of the only two New Zealand records is from Matakana (c. 1865).

*Zosterops lateralis — Silvereye Common in bush remnants.

*Chloris chloris - Greenfinch Frequent.

*Carduelis carduelis — Goldfinch Common, but moves about the area in flocks as seeds become available,

and may disappear from one small area for months at a time.

Carduelis flammea — Redpoll Rare (or overlooked?). Only one record, a male at Ainola , July 1970.

*Fringilla coelebs - Chaffinch Common.

*Emberiza citrinella — Yellowhammer Common, but moves about in flocks, so that it may desert one small area

for long periods.

*Passer domesticus — House Sparrow Common, but appears to be declining. A t Ainola from 1966-1970 they

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roosted regularly under the eaves of the house, but have become very rare since then. They last nested at Ainola in 1971. The cause of their decline is thought to be nest-robbing by mynas.

*Sturnus vulgaris Starling Frequent, declining. The population has declined considerably in the last

ten years. F rom 1966-1970 winter flocks of 2000 or so birds congregated nightly in the Goat Island Bay area and flew to their roosts on Goat Island. In the winter of 1975 the roosting flocks were down to 100. This is attributed to molestation and nest-robbing by mynas. There is a welcome increase in the number of starling nesting boxes being provided by farmers in the district.

*Acridotheres tristis — Myna Now abundant. In 1966 they were infrequent in the area, but numbers

have built up considerably. A local night roost was established at the head of Goat Island Road in 1972 and now contains about 600 birds.

Gymnorhina tibicen - Black-backed Magpie Recorded by G . J . H . Moon, who has also seen hybrids of this with the

White-backed Magpie.

*Gymnorhina hypoleuca — White-backed Magpie Common in farming areas.

REFERENCES Falla, R.A., Sibson, R.B., and Turbott, E.G. 1970: " A Field Guide to the Birds of New

Zealand". 2nd Edition, Collins, London. 265pp. McKenzie, H.R. 1950: Visit to Little Barrier in November 1948. N.Z. Bird Notes 3: 4-9. Oliver, W.R.B. 1955: "New Zealand Birds". 2nd Edition, Reed, Wellington. 661pp. Roberts, P.E. 1975: Sea Birds found dead in New Zealand in 1965 and 1966. Notornis 22:

151-161. Thompson, G.M. 1922: "The Naturalisation of Animals and Plants in New Zealand".

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 607pp. Turbott, E.G. 1947: Birds of Little Barrier Island. N.Z. Bird Notes 2: 92-108. Turbott, E.G. 1953: Notes on the Occurrence of the Bellbird in North Auckland. Notornis

.5: 175-8.

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