Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre

07/04/2026

05/04/2026

Many of our Arctic Migrants are now already in, or are on their way to, the Yellow Sea. 20 years ago the top shorebird stopover site, supporting ~300,000 birds, was the Saemangeum estuary in South Korea. Tragically a 33km seawall was built, suffocating the benthic fauna of tidal flow into this precious site. Through regional surveys, a huge decline in bird numbers was recorded that season, particularly for the Great Knot.

Today one small area miraculously survives - the Sura tidal flats. Even this remnant is now under threat of a planned expansion of an airport and U.S. army base. We were recently visited by some of the dedicated and inspiring people fighting to save these flats from destruction. See oursura.org and our next magazine for more on their steadfast, courageous and creative work including the building of relationships and connections in Aotearoa.

10/03/2026

Migration is underway at Pūkorokoro with at least 3 departures of kuaka Bar-tailed godwits today!

Haere tū atu, hoki tū mai

27/02/2026

Out here living our best Ngutu pare | Wrybill fangirl lives 💫🔭

Rocking our brand new wrybill tees and heading out with the scopes like a bunch of bird-obsessed groupies on tour 😂🖤

The real star of the show? The wonky, one-of-a-kind wrybill — and this epic artwork by the incredibly talented ✨ Melissa Boardman✨ We just love her amazing mahi 🫶

And don't worry guys, there's t-shirts for you too!

Get all your Ngutu pare / Wrybill merch here >> https://shop.shorebirds.org.nz/?s=wrybill&post_type=product

Here’s to good friends, great art, and fangirling over birds.

24/02/2026

.🕊️ 2026: The Year of the Ngutu Pare!

Get ready to look skyward, because 2026 is officially the Year of the Wrybill! To celebrate these incredible shorebirds, we’re looking back at a moment of pure magic at the Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre.

A few years ago, we were graced by a stunning performance of Kirsten Strom’s composition, 'A Flung Scarf of Wrybill.' Played by the talented young musicians of Orbit (part of the Auckland Philharmonia), the music perfectly captures the synchronized "aerial ballet" these birds are famous for.

Why we love the Ngutu Pare:

The Curve: They are the only bird in the world with a beak that curves sideways (always to the right!).
The Dance:Their massive flocks move in such perfect harmony they look like a ribbon of smoke over the water.
The Resilience: They are masters of the braided rivers and coastal mudflats.

Take a moment to breathe, listen, and watch the "flung scarf" in motion:
📺

Produced for the bird of the year campaign, 2019 is the year to lift the profile of the Wrybill. This iconic New Zealand shorebird breeds on the South Islan...

23/02/2026

Departure season is almost here. Join us on one of our Guided Tours to see this incredible sight…

https://shorebirds.org.nz/guided-tours

23/02/2026

23/02/2026

⏰ We are preparing for departures…

Well not as much as the kuaka Bar-tailed Godwits and huahou Red Knots. They’re all looking chubby and bright. But we are preparing to watch for their eminent departures. Last year the first departure was 28th Feb so it’s mere days away.

The Arctic migrants depart all through March and into April for the Kuriri Pacific Golden Plovers. They all have their own schedule.

If you’ve ever wanted to watch a departure then come and join one of our Guided Tours. We’ve planned our March tours around the best time to watch this incredible sight.

https://shorebirds.org.nz/guided-tours

Haere pai atu, hoki pai mai
We send best wishes for their journey and a safe return 💫

17/02/2026

✨ Exciting Discovery at Pūkorokoro Miranda! 🦋
We have some wonderful news from the Robert Findlay Wildlife Reserve! We’ve been tracking a very special endemic visitor: the Swamp Looper (Adeixis griseata).

First recorded here in December 2023, this lovely moth is the ultimate "stamp of approval" for our restoration efforts. It thrives in wet, swampy habitats—exactly what we’ve been working hard to restore. 🌿

Why This is a Big Deal:
The Perfect Home: While we’re still waiting for official confirmation on what their caterpillars eat, it’s highly likely they rely on native sedges. Thanks to our restoration work, these are now growing in abundance around the Reserve and the Centre!

A Population Boom: After a quiet 2024, the numbers in December 2025 and January 2026 have been unprecedented. 📈

Record Breaking: We’ve seen up to 47 moths in a single night at light traps around Pūkorokoro and the Coromandel!

🔍 How You Can Help
We want to see how far this special moth is spreading! If you’re out exploring:

Keep an eye out for the Swamp Looper.

Snap a photo if you spot one.

Upload your sighting to iNaturalist to help us map its occurrence across the country.

It’s amazing to see nature move back in when we provide the right environment. Happy moth-spotting! 🦋✨