Ornithological Society – National Wader Count

The distribution and abundance of wading birds have been studied in NZ since 1939. At selected sites such as the Firth of Thames and Manukau Harbour, annual locality counts provided a census of wader flocks both in summer and winter. In 1983, it was decided to extend these counts to all the major estuaries and harbours in NZ. Flocks of waders were counted annually in November and June. This provided information on the numbers of Arctic migrants that summered in New Zealand and how many remained over the winter. The national wader counts were conducted at all sites until 1996. Today the counts are continuing at a selection of key sites to monitor long-term trends in the wader populations. Purpose: Provides information on the numbers of Arctic migrants that summer in NZ and how many remain over the winter. It also enables counts of NZ waders that form flocks in the winter.

bird species and numbers in the Firth of Thames and at Raglan. Other estuaries/harbours? -

Major estuaries and harbours of NZ, including Firth of Thames. The national wader counts were conducted at all sites until 1994. Today, the counts are continuing at a selection of key sites to monitor long-term trends in the wader populations.

See locations below.

1939 – ongoing (varying for individual harbours)

Annually (November and June).

Data collected by many volunteers, therefore varying identification skills and positional accuracy. Only 'key' flocking sites monitored consistently over time. Accuracy dependant on observer identification skills

Report, electronic, maps Wader count reports (.pdf) available for download.

Identification of ASCVs Policy making Resource consents.

Freely available from website below.

Ongoing Annual census reports available - see links below.

Results of wader surveys have been published in OSNZ News and full reviews will be published in Notornis. Results also contribute to international research. See Ornithological society website (below) for further detail. Related information: OSNZ Beach Patrol Scheme OSNZ Recording Scheme OSNZ Nest Record Scheme