Following is an annotated list of the 163 (169 if albatross taxa considered separated at species level) species seen on our 3-week November trips. Trips were run in odd-numbered years 1995 through 2003. There has been a 4- or 5-day extension to the Chatham Islands starting in 2001. The best single-trip total was 155 (160 with albatross taxa) species in 2003, including 7 species found only on the Chatham Islands.

Each species has a code (in parentheses) which indicates its chances of being found on our November trips. Code 1 species are common, usually widespread, and require little or no effort to find. We expect to find all of these (assuming weather allows boat trips to proceed). Code 2 species are likely to be found, but can be missed for various reasons. However we expect to find all of these with concentration, effort, and, at times, a little luck. Code 3 species are difficult to find, and usually need special effort or perseverance. Some pose identification or access problems. We expect to find about 50% of these. Code 4 species are harder to find than Code 3 species, as they occur irregularly or are present in low numbers. However their occurrence is somewhat predictable and they should be looked for. We expect to find about 5% of these.

Endemics are listed in bold upper-case and "near-endemics" are listed in bold lower-case (for example seabirds which breed in NZ but migrate to the North Pacific or Australasian species).

Taxonomy follows the "Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand", Third Edition, 1990, with a few exceptions.

NORTH ISLAND BROWN KIWI (3)
Heard 1995 and 1997 at Waitangi Forest, 1999 near Ohakune with Kerry Oates on guided trip, 2001 at Trounson Kauri Park, and 2003 at Aroha Island with Greg Blunden.

SOUTH ISLAND BROWN KIWI (TOKOEKA) (2)
Rarely missed on Phillip Smith's Kiwi Spotting Trip from Oban; 2-7 birds seen on all of our trips, including video in 1999!

LITTLE SPOTTED KIWI (3)
Heard easily each trip but hard to see on Tiritiri I; one seen with flashlight 1999 and another great view 2003. Requires overnight stay.

GREAT SPOTTED KIWI (4)
Present in the Arthur's Pass area in small numbers, where heard 1997, but missed 1999 due to high wind and rain and also 2001 and 2003, the latter also due to rain.

Great Crested Grebe (2)
Seen each year, as many as 5, on L Pearson. One in 2001 on L Sarah; 2 in 2003 at Ohau Delta.

NEW ZEALAND DABCHICK (2)
Seen each year, usually at L Rotorua, but in 1999 absent there and found at Blue L and L Okareka; in 2003 several at Lake Kereta.

Australasian Little Grebe (2)
Several at Lake Kereta 2003.

Wandering Albatross (1)
Good numbers seen each year off Kaikoura, including "Snowy", "Gibson's", and "Antipodean"; in 1999 two off Stewart I, and in 2001 at least 15 birds of at least two taxa off Pitt Island.

Royal Albatross (1)
Northern Royal virtually certain at Taiaroa Head nesting site. Northern and Southern Royals Usually seen off Kaikoura, and off Stewart I, and Northerns common around Chathams. Abundant, of course, at Sisters, visited in 2003.

Black-browed Mollymawk (3)
One immature seen off Kaikoura 1995, 2 immatures off Stewart I 1999, 2 immatures off Pitt Island 2001, immature off Whitianga 2003.

Shy Mollymawk (1)
Common (200+ in 1999!) off Stewart I each year, most Salvin's, a few White-capped. A few of both taxa off Kaikoura each year. Chatham Island Shy common to south of Pitt Island 2001, and, of course, abundant at Pyramid breeding site, visited 2003. A few Salvin's around Chathams.

Buller's Mollymawk (4)
Only sighting away from Chathams was an immature off Stewart I in 1999. Usually appear in Stewart I waters in Dec. Abundant (Northerns) off Chathams; breeding site at Sisters visited 2003.

Flesh-footed Shearwater (1)
Abundant off North Island and Cape Jackson, and a few off Kaikoura; absent Stewart I and Chathams. Readily attracted to chum.

Buller's Shearwater (1)
Common on northern pelagic trips (Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf, Whitianga). A couple at Kaikoura 2001 and 2003.

Sooty Shearwater (1)
Common but variable in numbers throughout.

Short-tailed Shearwater (3)
Small numbers (1-5) off Whitianga and Kaikoura 2003.

Fluttering Shearwater (1)
Common Hauraki Gulf, Whitianga, and Marlborough Sounds.

Hutton's Shearwater (1)
Abundant off Kaikoura.

Little Shearwater (3)
Surprisingly numerous around 190m depth off Whitianga 2003,with 20+ seen. Also 8 around Volkner Rocks 2003.

Common Diving-Petrel (1)
Fairly common off Bay of Islands and Hauraki Gulf, abundant off Whitianga. Cape Jackson and Stewart I. A few around Chathams.

Black Petrel (3)
Two seen in Hauraki Gulf 1999, 10+ there 2001. Regular in these waters, but boat trip not run in 1995 or 1997, and none seen there 2003. A few off Whitianga 2003, but not seen until boat at at least 100m depth line.

Westland Petrel (1)
Abundant off Kaikoura. Also seen at breeding colony near Punakaiki 1995 and 1997; not visited 1999 or 2001.

White-chinned Petrel (3)
A few off Kaikoura each year and one off Stewart I 1999. Kaikoura provides an outstanding opportunity to compare the dark seabirds adjacent to each other. Over 1000 off Pitt Island 2001 attending trawler, and 1 seen off Chatham 2003.

Cape Pigeon (1)
Usually seen Cook Strait from ferry. Common off Kaikoura, Stewart I, and around Chathams.

Southern Giant Petrel (1)
Several, mostly young birds, seen off Kaikoura and Stewart I and at Chathams.

Northern Giant Petrel (2)
One in Cook Strait 1997, 2-5 off Stewart I most years and usually seen around Chathams.

Fairy Prion (1)
Usually abundant off Cape Jackson, a few Whitianga and Kaikoura, and common but erratic off Stewart I.

Broad-billed Prion (3)
A few off Stewart I 1995 (one hit boat on kiwi trip!).

Pycroft's Petrel (3)
Five seen off Whitianga 1999 likely Pycroft's (breeds on nearby Red Mercury I), but none approached closely enough for chance to ID. Large numbers well-studied 100m+ Whitianga 2003 late in day returning to breeding sites on Mercury Islands.

Cook's Petrel (2)
Of 40+ Cook's/Pycroft's types in Hauraki Gulf 2001, 5 ID at close range as Cook's, none as Pycroft's. A few Cook's ID'd Whitianga 2003 among many Pycroft's, and 2 birds likely this species on Volkner Rocks trip 2003.

Mottled Petrel (3)
Three off Stewart I (Breaksea Is area) 1999. Underparts pattern, size, and slower jizz than "Cookilaria" petrels noted when birds approach closely enough.

Great-winged (Grey-faced) Petrel (2)
A few off Kaikoura and Whitianga 2003.

YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN (1)
Seen Otago Peninsula (at Victory Beach 1995 and near albatross colony 1997, 1999, 2003) and off Stewart Island (Paterson Inlet 1999, Bench Island 2001, 2003). Also Curio Bay area 2001.

Little Blue Penguin (1)
Common Marlborough Sounds and Stewart I. Young in nestboxes Tiriti Matangi I 1995,1997,1999, but not subsequent years.

FIORDLAND CRESTED PENGUIN (2)
Seen each year on Milford Sound tour boat (14 in 2003), on rocks near Halfmoon Bay, Stewart I, and offshore Paterson Inlet. Seen coming ashore at Monro Beach 1995, 1997, but not visited subsequently.

Australasian Gannet (1)
Seen at Muriwai Beach mainland nesting colony each year, but not visited 2001 or 2003. Also seen offshore Bay of Islands, where abundant, common off Whitianga and in Hauraki Gulf, a few off Kaikoura and Stewart I, and one at Chathams 2003.

Black Shag (Great Cormorant) (1)
Fairly common throughout, mainly freshwater areas.

Pied Shag (1)
Common throughout in coastal habitats.

Little Black Shag (1)
Abundant L Rotorua, common Waihi area of L Taupo, a few elsewhere in freshwater areas. Not seen South Island.

Little Shag (Little Pied Shag) (1)
Widespread inland and coastally.

NEW ZEALAND KING SHAG (2)
Nesting colony with 50-75 birds present at White Rocks; visited each year except weather unsuitable 1997. White Rocks are in an exposed location at the outer reaches of Queen Charlotte Sound. Single birds usually seen inside the sound for a short distance.

STEWART ISLAND SHAG (1)
Common Otago Harbor and Paterson Inlet area.

CHATHAM ISLAND SHAG (1)
Easily seen at preferred locations Chatham Island.

SPOTTED SHAG (1)
A few at Firth of Thames and Wellington Harbor, common around southeast South Island and Stewart I. Also seen Greymouth 1995 and 1997.

PITT ISLAND SHAG (1)
Common Chatham Islands.

White-faced Heron (1)
Common throughout.

Great Egret (4)
One seen 1995 south Westland. Most at breeding colony near Okarito in November, but about 3 at L Mahinapua 2001, possibly breeding there.

Reef Heron (3)
Easy to miss, apparently becoming rather scarce. Seen at Kaikoura 1995 and 1997, Waiwera Estuary 1999 and 2001, Whitianga and Tauranga 2003.

Cattle Egret (3)
Singles in 1999 near Waipu Estuary and in Southland. Most have returned to Australia by November.

Australasian Bittern (3)
One seen at Whangamarino Swamp 1999, 2 heard there 2001. Difficult unless looked for at dawn or dusk.

Royal Spoonbill (2)
Seen at Mangere Lagoons 1995, 1997, but area closed for construction 1999. Seen 1999 and 2003 at Miranda, 2001 Waihi (L Taupo). Several locations Southland 2001 and new breeding colony Taiaroa Heads 2003. Becoming more numerous and widespread.

Black Swan (1)
Common on lakes and estuaries throughout; notably so (5000+) Chatham Island.

Canada Goose (2)
Fairly common South Island high country lakes and riverbeds.

Feral Goose
Small groups breeding at Otago Harbor, Lake Rotorua, and elsewhere show little evidence of cross-breeding with other taxa. Not listed by OSNZ, but probably countable by ABA rules.

Cape Barren Goose
One or two at St Anne's Lagoon 1995, 1999. Apparently released by landowner. Not countable by ABA rules.

PARADISE SHELDUCK (1)
Common throughout.

BLUE DUCK (3)
Seen 1995 at Pegleg Creek area, Arthur's Pass, but construction there seems to have disrupted this population; not seen there 1997 or subsequently. Seen 1997 at Monkey Creek, Hollyford Valley, Fiordland. Seen 1999, 2001, 2003 on Maunganuiateao River near Raetihi (11 birds there 2001!). Takes patience, as birds may rest out of sight for some time. When found, usually seen well.

Mallard (1)
Fairly common North Island, less numerous in South. Hybridizes with Grey Duck to extent that finding "pure" Grey Duck can be a challenge except in isolated South Island localities and on Chathams.

Grey (Pacific Black) Duck (2)
See Mallard. Phenotypically pure birds found mostly on South Island lakes and on Chathams.

Grey Teal (2)
Seen Mangere Sewage Lagoons 1995, 1997. Seen Miranda and and St Anne's Lagoon each year. Increasing in numbers and distribution.

BROWN TEAL (3)
Seen Teal Bay 2001 (35+ birds) and 2003 (81 birds!). Seen Tiritiri I, but rather difficult, as it is secretive in the daytime, especially when nesting. This is a reintroduced population which is breeding, although heavily predated by gulls and eels. Great Barrier I not visited.

Australasian Shoveler (2)
A few in freshwater or brackish areas throughout. St Anne's Lagoon is good, as are Mangere Sewage Lagoons, Whangamarino Swamp area, and Whakamaru. A male on Chatham Island 2003 a good find.

NEW ZEALAND SCAUP (1)
Common at L Rotorua and on South Island high country lakes.

Australasian Harrier (1)
Common throughout for a raptor, including Chathams. Often seen feeding on roadkill.

NEW ZEALAND FALCON (3)
Difficult to find when looking for it. Seen in 1999 at a spot 19 miles north of Te Anau Downs Hotel on the Milford Road. A pair courting closely observed with scope on Milford Road 2001. Well seen at Lake Brunner Lodge 2003; caught a Skylark while we watched! Seems to like native bush near open grassy areas.

California Quail (2)
Fairly common throughout. Usually seen along roadsides in back country.

Brown Quail (2)
Common on Tiritiri Matangi I, where it frequents grassy tracks. Not seen elsewhere.

Ring-necked Pheasant (2)
Fairly common throughout, especially in back country farming districts.

Peafowl (3)
An established colony at Waitangi Forest heard at dusk 1995,1997. Kawau Island 2001, 2003. Along road to Lake Kereta 2003. Occasional birds elsewhere.

Wild Turkey (2)
Small flocks usually seen in back country farming areas. Rather tame in NZ for a "wild" bird.

Banded (Buff-banded) Rail (3)
Difficult to see well, and appears to be in serious decline. With patience seen in mangroves in the limeworks area, Miranda 1999, at Wenderholm Park 2003.

WEKA (1)
Easily seen Kawau I, Kapiti I, Marlborough Sounds, Ulva I in Paterson Inlet, and abundant on Chatham I. Difficult on mainland, but seen Westland 1995 and common around Lake Brunner Lodge 2003.

Marsh Crake (4)
Seen well 2001 and 2003 Ohau Delta.

Spotless Crake (3)
Seen 1997, 1999 at Whangamarino Swamp, 2001 Ohau Delta. Responds well to tapes, best at dawn.

Purple Swamphen (Pukeko) (1)
Common throughout, mostly in open wet farmland.

TAKAHE (2)
Introduced and breeding on Tiritiri Matangi I, where easy to see. Probably countable under ABA rules.

Australian Coot (2)
Local, but fairly widespread. Seen at Cambridge, Whakamaru, L Okareka, Wanganui, St Anne's Lagoon, etc.

SOUTH ISLAND PIED OYSTERCATCHER (1)
Abundant at Miranda (non-breeders) and throughout inland South Island (breeders). Known as SIPO in NZ.

CHATHAM ISLAND OYSTERCATCHER (2)
Easily seen Chatham Island; 6 in 2001, including 3 on beach at Waitangi, and 34 in 2003, including 26 along beaches in northwest.

VARIABLE OYSTERCATCHER (1)
Common coastally throughout.

Pied Stilt (1)
Fairly common wetlands throughout. Best at Miranda, also at Twizel in Black Stilt areas (unfortunately!).

BLACK STILT (3)
Very low numbers, but can be found in Twizel area with patience. Seen 1995-1999 L Poaka (the Maori name for Pied Stilt!) and 2001 at Ohau Delta. Missed 2003 at several locations around Twizel, but found in good numbers at same locations a few days later!

NEW ZEALAND (RED-BREASTED) DOTTEREL (2)
Seen in northern North Island each year, especially at Waiwera, Waipu Estuary, and Miranda.

Banded (Double-banded) Dotterel (2)
Fairly common on sandy beaches and braided rivers throughout, but less obvious in breeding season. Easy to find at Kekerengu.

Black-fronted Dotterel (3)
Seen 1995, 1997, and 2003 on Rangitikei River at Bulls. In 1999 seen at Koitiata, where apparently regular, and in 2001 at Palmerston North.

SHORE PLOVER (4)
One at Chathams 2001; 16 on Rangatira from boat in 2003.

Large Sand-Dotterel (4)
One at Waipu Estuary 1995.

WRYBILL (1)
A few still at Miranda in November, easiest location to find. Scattered and hard to see in South Island breeding habitat.

Pacific Golden-Plover(2)
Several seen Manawatu Estuary 1995, 1997, but not visited 1999 or 2001; none seen there 2003 due to very high tide. One at Miranda both 1999 and 2001.

Masked (Spur-winged) Plover (1)
Common throughout. The "Killdeer of NZ".

Ruddy Turnstone (2)
Fairly common at Miranda and other shorebird sites, especially rocky areas.

Lesser (Red) Knot (1)
Abundant at Mangere and Miranda. A few seen at other estuaries.

Curlew Sandpiper (3)
A few at Miranda 1995 and 1997, one there 2001 and 2 in 2003, but missed 1999.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (2)
A few at Miranda each year, and also 2 at Manawatu Estuary 1995.

Pectoral Sandpiper (4)
One at Miranda 1999.

Red-necked Stint (2)
A few at Miranda each year.

(Far) Eastern Curlew (3)
A few at Kaiaua 1995 and 1997, but not seen subsequently.

Bar-tailed Godwit (1)
Abundant at Mangere and Miranda and common elsewhere throughout.

Black-tailed Godwit (4)
Two or three at Mangere 1995.

Marsh Sandpiper (4)
Two at Mangere 1995; one at Miranda 2003.

Terek Sandpiper (3)
One at Miranda each year, but missed 2001.

Brown Skua (2)
Catharacta skua lonnbergi
Seen each year at breeding sites off Paterson Inlet, and in 2001 off Pitt Island. Two on main Chatham Island 2003 were unusual there.

Arctic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger)(3)
Seen in Firth of Thames 1995 and 2001, off beach at Kaikoura 1997, but missed 1999. Seen on several boat trips 2003, most at Volkner Rocks.

Pomarine Skua (Jaeger) (4)
One in Hauraki Gulf 1999, one off Whitianga 2003.

Kelp (Black-backed) Gull (1)
Common throughout.

Red-billed (Silver) Gull (1)
Larus (novaehollandiae) scopulinus Common throughout.

BLACK-BILLED GULL (1)
Large colony at L Rotorua. Also breeding Miranda, where seen each year. Common inland South Island where breeds.

White-winged Black Tern (4)
One immature with Red-billed Gulls at Lake Rotorua 2001; adult at Rangitata River on Highway 72 in 2003.

BLACK-FRONTED TERN (2)
Most seen inland South Island braided riverbeds. A few along beachfront Kaikoura 1995 and 1997.

Caspian Tern (2)
Seen each year at Miranda. Small numbers scattered throughout in coastal areas.

WHITE-FRONTED TERN (1)
Abundant at Miranda, where breeds. Seen coastally throughout.

Fairy Tern (3)
Sterna nereis davisae. Seen each year at Waipu Estuary. Only about 10 pairs breed annually in NZ.

Little Tern (3)
Sterna albifrons sinensis. Seen most years at Miranda, when in non-breeding plumage.

Common Tern (4)
One at Greymouth 1995.

NEW ZEALAND PIGEON (1)
Fairly common throughout in native bush, occasionally in towns. Numerous on Stewart I.

CHATHAM ISLAND PIGEON (2)
Seen Awatotara Valley on Chatham I 2001, 2003. Considered full species by HANZAB; noticeably greyer than NZ Pigeon.

Rock Pigeon (Dove) (1)
Common in larger towns. Breeds on rocks near Kaikoura.

Ringed-Turtle-Dove (Barbary Dove) (3)
Established population at Kerikeri; seen there 2003.

Spotted Dove (1)
Streptopelia chinensis. Seen at large colony on Puketutu I, Mangere, each year, but not visited 2001 .

KAKA (1)
Easy to see at Kapiti I and on Stewart I, also fairly common at Pureora.

KEA (2)
Usually seen at Arthur's Pass Village, and especially on the Milford Road in Fiordland.

Eastern Rosella (1)
Common in Northland and Auckland.

Red-crowned Parakeet (2)
Common on Tiritiri Matangi I. Fairly common around Oban and especially on Ulva I. Endemic Chatham Is subsp seen Awatotara Valley on Chatham I 2001 and on Pitt Island 2001 and 2003.

YELLOW-CROWNED PARAKEET (2)
A few at Pureora, and still fairly common in beech forest in Eglinton Valley and Haast Pass, and on Ulva I.

Shining (Bronze-) Cuckoo (2)
Fairly easy to hear, but difficult to see. Occurs throughout.

Long-tailed Cuckoo (2)
Fairly easy to hear, especially at Pureora and on Kapiti I, but difficult to see.

Morepork (1)
Easy to hear, but needs patience to see with flashlight; well seen at Kauri Coast Holiday Park 2001.

Little Owl (3)
Found mostly in eastern and southern South Island. One seen 1999 inland fom Kaikoura, and 3 in Southland 2001. Missed 2003.

Sacred Kingfisher (2)
Fairly common throughout.