Spoonbills serve up a treat for birdwatchers

Spoonbills on the wing. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Only a good working dog or bargain farm prices are certain to get Bayleys real estate salesman John Nelley sounding excited on the telephone.

So it was a surprise when he called the Northern Advocate on Tuesday to enthusiastically point out that a large number of spoonbills were feeding in the low water on the edge of the Whangarei Harbour, near Waikaraka.

"There's about 20 of them. It's the biggest flock I've ever seen," he said in tones usually reserved for dairy units selling for a song.

Advocate senior photographer Michael Cunningham dashed out to the Tamaterau Coastal Reserve and got pictures of about 15 royal spoonbills with their heads down, searching for afternoon tea in the shallow water.

Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre manager Robert Webb said the spoonbill was easily recognisable with the "big banjo end" on its black bill.

"They have been in the Whangarei area for a number of years," he said.

"Apparently about 30 of them have been nesting and breeding in the former wetland behind the old Tenix site in Port Rd.

"It's quite common to see them feeding on the edge of the harbour from below the Onerahi Boat Club ramp to Tamaterau."

Mr Webb said the spoonbills "must behave themselves" because none had been brought into his recovery centre for treatment after being hit by cars or in similar incidents.

The stately royal spoonbill is one of six spoonbill species worldwide and the only one that breeds in New Zealand.

The large white water bird was first recorded in New Zealand at Castlepoint in 1861. Sightings increased through the 1900s, with breeding first recorded next to the white heron colony at Okarito, south Westland, in 1949.

Since then it has successfully colonised New Zealand and is now widespread.