Lake Domain Reserve
You will see a variety of birds feeding along the lake edge including kakīānau (black swans), kawau (black shags), matuku moana (white-faced heron) and poaka (pied stilts). The adjacent Barton’s Lagoon, lined with raupō (bullrush), has good breeding and nesting habitat for waterfowl. Native bird species (many of which are threatened) that you may spot include: pūkeko, weweia (New Zealand dabchick) and pāpango (New Zealand scaup). If you’re lucky you may see matuku (Australasian bittern) hiding amongst the raupō.
If you continue along the lakeshore (heading East) you’ll come to the delta of the Tauwharenīkau River. You’re likely to get your feet wet here! This area is visited by tarāpuka (black billed gulls), pohowera (banded dotterel) and kuaka (eastern bar-tailed godwits).
The delta is a real hotspot of activity year round, but also see’s migrating visitors from the Arctic.
Find out more about Lake Domain
Check out this brilliant shot, shared with us in Spring 2024, “I saw ~50 kuaka (Bar-tailed godwits) there along with the usual suspects (karoro, tarāpuka, matuku moana, poaka, pohowera, tōrea pango).” You might notice “a rogue kuriri hiding among the flock.” Joel Gilbertson.
Boggy Pond
An 800 metre walk from the carpark takes you to a bird hide. From here you may see Kōtuku ngutupapa (Royal spoonbill), kawau tūī (little black shags), kawau (black shags), pāpango (New Zealand scaup), weweia (New Zealand dabchick), tētē moroiti (grey teal), kōtare (kingfisher) and pūkeko.
The secretive matuku (Australasian bittern), pūweto (spotless crake), and koitareke (marsh crake) also live here, although you’ll be very lucky to see them as they are famously secretive birds with great camoflage!
These wetlands come alive at sunrise and sunset, especially in Springtime, with waterfowl chicks easily seen from the walking tracks and bird hides.
Wairio wetland and the eastern lake shore
The eastern lakeshore is a one of the possible feeding areas for migratory birds. They visit the shore from as far away as the Arctic between October and April. These international travellers include kuaka (bar-tailed godwit), kuriri (Pacific golden plover) and huahou (red knot). You’re also likely to spot matuku moana (white-faced heron), kōtuku ngutupapa (royal spoonbill) and pūtangitangi (paradise shelduck).
Wairio wetland is home to matuku (Australasian bittern), pohowera (banded dotterel), weweia (New Zealand dabchick) and kawau (black shag).
Wairarapa Lake Shore Scenic Reserve
This is the only part of Wairarapa Moana where the forest meets the lake, so you’re likely to encounter birds common in the New Zealand bush such as tūī, korimako (bellbird), kererū, riroriro (grey warbler) and piwakawaka (fantail).
Pounui Lagoon
Pounui Lagoon is on the north-western corner of Lake Ōnoke. The Lagoon is separated from Lake Ōnoke by a stopbank which provides for great walking and bird watching.
Birds you may see include: kuruwhengi (Australasian shoveler), pāpango (New Zealand scaup), tētē moroiti (grey teal,), pūkeko and matuku (Australasian bittern). The lagoon also provides breeding habitat for black-fronted dotterel.
Ōnoke Spit
The spit is a nesting site for several native birds such as taranui (Caspian terns), karoro (black-backed gull), tarāpunga (red-billed gull), pohowera (banded dotterel) and tōrea (variable oystercatcher). You may see the rare notoreas moth on the mats of pinatoro (pimelia) which grow here. Ōnoke Spit is also home to the endangered katipō spider.
Find out more about Ōnoke Spit.
If you want to see and learn more about the birds of Wairarapa Moana, then check out Te Rakau Birding & Cabins.