"A early morning walk and photo session at the swamp with the Fernbirds | Mātātā" #birds #photography #wildlife

Cobb Valley seemed to be full of mātātā. They have a mouse-like furtiveness but don't seem to mind if you quietly approach.

#birds #nzbirds

Fernbird / mātātā (Poodytes punctatus) midway between Ration Point and Motukaraka, Pāuatahanui. I love the brownish red background in this area, caused by the shrubby bushes and orangey grasses the fernbirds like to live in.

#nzbirds #fernbird #birds #pāuatahanui #BirdsSeenIn2026 #NewZealand

Fernbird / mātātā (Poodytes punctatus) at Pāuatahanui on Sunday. They were more bold than usual - it must be the time of year. We saw several chasing each other out in the open (they are usually shy).

#nzbirds #pāuatahanui #birding #birdwatching #fernbirds #BirdsSeenIn2025 #NewZealand #birdoftheday

Denniston Plateau, West Coast - Conservation land and biodiversity hotspot, including home to great spotted kiwi, fernbirds, rare giant land snails and West Coast green geko, will be up for grabs for mining companies.

An area Forest & Bird has long long fought to protect.

It’s quite tide-dependent along there! Low is good for shags, oystercatchers, stilts and kōtare. Horse paddocks at te Atatū have oystercatchers and plovers. Harbourview park has fernbirds, allegedly, though you’d be doing well to spot one. Godwits visit harbour view beach reserve, seasonally.

The world needs more fernbirds. Willing to battle witth determination and purpose against it's own damned fool self!

🐌 🏔️ And it is home to many rare and threatened animal species including roroa (great spotted kiwi), fernbirds, western weka, kākā and rare giant snails like the nationally endangered Powelliphanta patrickensis.

#ProtectDennistonPlateau #StopTheFastTrack #BathurstResources #EndCoal #ClimateJustice

We knew the fast track was going to enable some bad projects, but this coal mine takes the cake. The government’s dodgy fast-track act could enable the project to ride roughshod over environmental and democratic processes.

Five Weeks at New Zealand fernbirds

At Tunnel Bay in the Saltwater Lagoon near Harihari. About as deserted a track as I’ve ever walked. Just me and the fantails, riflemen, tūī, and fernbirds.

Off for a stroll to 3 Mile. This is probably the best place in the world to spot fernbirds. Seen one up close already, and can hear them chipping in the rushes.

We were able to lure fernbirds out of hiding by going to NZ Birds Online on the iPhone and playing their call MP3.