Birding etiquette and biosecurity

Many of New Zealand's birds evolved without land mammals hunting them. That's why so many nest on the ground, stand their ground instead of flying, or let people walk right up to them. It makes birding here a delight, and it puts more responsibility on the birdwatcher. A few habits keep the birds safe, keep sanctuaries pest-free and keep birders welcome.

This field note covers behaviour around birds, then the biosecurity checks we run through before any island trip.

The first rule: the bird comes first

Almost all native birds are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953, and disturbing them is not only rude but can be an offence. In practice, putting the bird first means:

• Back off if the bird changes what it's doing. If it stops feeding, starts calling in alarm, flattens itself, or flies off its nest, you're too close. Step back slowly and give it time.
• Never approach a nest for a better look. Many species will leave eggs or chicks exposed to heat, cold, gulls or predators when disturbed. For threatened species, don't share exact nest locations online.
• Stay on tracks and boardwalks. Some birds nest in burrows under your feet. Seabird colonies and some sanctuary tracks are fenced for a reason.
• Keep your voice down. Birds such as kōkako, tīeke (saddleback) and hihi (stitchbird) are much easier to see when a group moves quietly.

Beaches and shorebirds

The coast is where good intentions most often go wrong. Tūturiwhatu (New Zealand dotterel) nest on open sand above the tideline on North Island beaches over spring and summer. Their eggs look exactly like pebbles. Other shorebirds, including tōrea (oystercatchers) and tara (terns), also nest or roost on beaches and sandspits. DOC's New Zealand dotterel page covers the species and its recovery.

• Respect rope and sign fences. Volunteers put them up around nesting areas each season.
• Walk below the high-tide line near nesting areas, on the wet sand.
• Dogs on a lead, or not at all, where signs say so. A loose dog can destroy nests in minutes.
• Don't push roosting flocks. At high tide, migrating kuaka (bar-tailed godwits) and other waders rest to save energy. Flushing them repeatedly costs fuel they need for the flight north.
• Watch for distraction displays. A dotterel running away with a "broken wing" is trying to lead you from its eggs or chicks. Turn around and leave the way you came.

Playback, photography and drones

Call playback. Playing a recorded call to draw a bird in can stress it and pull it off its nest or territory. We don't use playback for threatened species or inside sanctuaries. If you use it at all for common birds, keep it brief and occasional.

Photography. Long lenses let you stay back. Don't break branches or "garden" around a nest to get a clear shot, and don't use flash on night birds such as kiwi or ruru (morepork). Use a red light at night if you must use one.

Drones. You need a permit from the Department of Conservation (DOC) to fly a drone on public conservation land, and some areas are effectively off limits. Even with a permit, DOC expects drones to keep well clear of wildlife. See DOC's recreational drone permit page for the rules. Civil Aviation Authority rules apply too.

Feeding. Don't feed wild birds on conservation land. Kea in particular learn to raid cars, packs and people when fed, and human food is bad for them.

Biosecurity: what pest-free islands need from you

New Zealand's island sanctuaries are where many people see their first takahē, tīeke or hihi. They stay that way only if visitors don't bring pests with them. A single pregnant rat, a handful of Argentine ants, a plague skink or a few weed seeds can undo decades of work. DOC's biosecurity checklist for pest-free islands lists the checks. Our routine follows it:

1. Packs and bags. Unpack the bag fully, shake it out, and check every pocket and seam for holes. Zip or fasten it tightly once it's checked.
2. Footwear. Clean off all dirt and seeds, including soles, laces and tongues. If the boots have been in mainland bush, scrub them in soapy water.
3. Clothing. Look over woolly socks, fleece, wool and Velcro tabs for seeds.
4. Camping gear. Shake out and check tents and groundsheets. Gear stored in a garage is a classic hiding place for mice and skinks. Camp only where official campsites exist.
5. Sleeping bags. Shake them out and pack them inside another closed bag, not just the stuff sack.
6. Food. Pack all food in sealed, rodent-proof containers. Plastic shopping bags are not enough.
7. Your own boat or kayak. Check it before leaving. DOC suggests keeping a couple of baited traps on board.

Overnight visitors to some Hauraki Gulf islands must bring a completed checklist and hand it to the ranger. Rangers may also recheck gear when you arrive, so allow time and treat it as part of the trip.

Biosecurity on the mainland too

The same thinking applies away from islands. Cleaning boots between catchments helps slow kauri dieback in northern forests. Look for boot-cleaning stations at track entrances and use them every time. Check, clean and dry waders and kayaks between waterways to stop freshwater pests spreading. And if you see a pest on a pest-free island, or a sick or injured native bird, report it to DOC straight away through the contact details on its website.

Being a good neighbour to other birders

• Share a scope view if someone is waiting, and keep conversation low at a hide.
• If you find a rare bird, tell others in a way that won't lead to a crowd trampling habitat or disturbing a nest. Report it to Birds New Zealand rather than posting precise coordinates for a breeding threatened species.
• Leave gates as you found them, and ask before crossing private land.

A short checklist to keep in your pack

• Did the bird change its behaviour? Back off.
• Is there a nest nearby? Leave.
• Is the beach roped? Walk on the wet sand, dog on a lead.
• Island trip tomorrow? Unpack, shake, scrub, seal.
• Seen a pest or a hurt bird? Tell DOC.

None of this takes much time, and it means the birds will still be there for the next person.