A Rare Discovery!

I had a fantastic day with mpp26 out at Waikuku Estuary. We ambled along the beach surrounded by storm clouds rolling through, a few drops of rain before sun broke through - a day of four seasons in one day.

We watched gulls glide by, shags heading out to sea to fish, terns feeding and there were the wrybills feeding on the waters edge and amongst stones looking for aquatic insects and marine crustaceans by using their curved bill to extract insects from crevices and under stones. A rare bird, about the size of a starling. They are the only birds in the world with the tips of their bills curving to the right. With wings the colour of the river stones among which they breed, and with white shell-white breasts, wyrbills are well camouflaged on riverbeds, mudflats and shellbanks. I have only ever seen one earlier in the year and today to see perhaps 5 of them was just unbelieveable - what an awesome find!

Wrybills are endemic to New Zealand and are classed as vulnerable. They breed in the South Island and migrate to the North Island in winter.

Thanks to Maureen for her knowledge of our local birds. It was lovely to have her company as we ambled along, ate our lunches as we looked over the estuary, went to a new shag colony I had discovered earlier in the week and take soooo many photos - what a great day!

I must fly now as tea is ready - Happy Monday everyone!

Scientific Name: Anarhynchus frontalis
Maori Name: Ngutuparore
Common Name: Wrybill or Wrybill Plover

Edit: This image fits the Square September Challenge by Ambling Camera
I would like to thank Ambling Camera for organising this challenge, I joined it half way through and have really enjoyed it, unfortunately today is the last day.