Environment – Dawn as it used to be

In his journal entry for 17 January, 1770, botanist Joseph Banks wrote about the dawn chorus at Tōtaranui (Queen Charlotte sound): “This morn I was awakd by the singing of the birds ashore from whence we are distant not a quarter of a mile, the numbers of them were certainly very great who seemd to strain their throats with emulation perhaps; their voices were certainly the most melodious wild musick I have ever heard, almost imitating small bells but with the most tuneable silver sound imaginable to which maybe the distance was no small addition. On enquiring of our people I was told that they …begin to sing at about 1 or 2 in the morn and continue till sunrise, after which they are silent all day, like our nightingales.”

Sadly, it is no longer possible to have a similar experience in the Marlborough Sounds, or in much of mainland New Zealand. In the years since then, many of our native birds have been lost to various combinations of predation, habitat loss, competition from introduced species, and hunting. But thanks to the amazing efforts of a host of individuals and organisations there are now a few sites around the country, including Tiritiri Matangi, where habitats have been restored and native birds reintroduced.

This gives us an opportunity to have an experience something like that of Joseph Banks. And, while every day is different, on a spring morning some birds like tūī will be singing melodiously when it’s still quite dark, often accompanied by toutouwai/robins, korimako/bellbirds and European blackbirds. They may be joined by the far from melodious raucous calls of takahē. 

As dawn breaks you can expect to hear the chattering morning calls of tīeke/saddlebacks. As they awake members of a pair call to each other and to let their neighbours know they are still there, holding their territory, and that others should keep away. They will shortly be joined by the beautiful, organ-like notes and the short ‘took’ contact calls of kōkako. Small, noisy flocks of pōpokatea/whiteheads may pass by, and you may hear the rapid chattering flight-calls of kākāriki/red-crowned parakeets.

If you’ve not yet been fortunate enough to experience a dawn chorus of our native species there will be a chance to do so if you join our once-a-year Dawn Chorus trip to Tiritiri Matangi. The next one will be on Saturday, September 28, with the Explore ferry departing Auckland at 4am and calling at Gulf Harbour at 4.55am before arriving at the island at 5.20am. The return ferry leaves the Island at 10am. For booking details check out the Events page on the Tiritiri Matangi website.