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Trip of a lifetime - Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - Day Tours

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• Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - Day Tours

My wife and I, two friends and four other adults spent an intense three weeks in a very comfortable... read more

This tour was incredibly well run and not only did we see amazing NZ birds, we also had a great NZ... read more

Trip of a lifetime

Wrybill Birding Tour was a fabulous 21 days, packed with mega birding opportunity with a vast range of birds spotted with the help of our guide/tour leader, Neil Robertson, and David Thomas who was a trainee tour leader. Their combined knowledge of flora and fauna opened our eyes to this incredible country. This is not a touristy tour, but one on which you will see the true New Zealand, down unmade roads, paths, back alleys, through deserted woods, across vast plains and onto quiet islands to find and see fantastic and rare birds. The pelagic tours are amazing, so close up to the albatrosses you felt as though you could touch them! Good accommodation throughout and excellent restaurant choices. Those tour guides work hard to support their guests extremely well! Our group was just six, and great fun was had in the three weeks and friendships made too. A once in a lifetime trip, we’d love to do all over again!

Thanks so much Gill and Martin! We really appreciate your feedback, and are so happy that you had an outstanding time here in New Zealand with Neil and David! Thanks so much!

If you want an exciting tour all over NZ built around seeing the endemic birds, this is the tour! 4 pelagic days, 4 kiwi night walks (all successful), all 3 penguins, and an expert to help you identify the numerous sea birds! Plus this tour covers the North, South and Stewart Islands, And the evening inclusive meal options are fantastic. If you want to see most endemic birds, this aggressive tour does not disappoint. We lucked out on weather though.

Thanks so much - we were lucky with weather and had an awesome tour! Thanks so much!

So you wanna see the birds of New Zealand - there's only 1 way to do this and it is with Brent from Wrybill - the record holder for a 21 day trip to these islands. You start in Auckland, finish in Christchurch and see the whole darn place. We had 4 different species of Kiwi, did 4 pelagic trips out into the oceans to see numerous albatrosses and lunched on some of the finest pies in the world. Brent is well organised, charming and hospitable and blogs our daily activities on the b1rderblog - check it to see how each days progresses. We loved the whole experience, as did my lady whom is a non-birder - rich praise indeed. J

Thanks Jules and Angela! Was a pleasure showing you around New Zealand and great to have you both on the tour! Thanks so much!

We were in Auckland for one day on a cruise ship stop so we arranged a private birding tour with Wrybill tours. We had some minor issues meeting our guide because the cruise line gave us bad information on where we would tender into port but things were great after we got started on the tour. Our guide Russell was excellent and took us to a variety of birding habits to meet our goal of finding as many endemic bird species as possible. Thanks to Russell's knowledge of the birds habits and his excellent ability to locate them from their calls we located 65 bird species including 19 endemic species. Russell kept a close watch on the time to get the most of our limited time in port and got us back to the correct tender port with plenty of time to spare. I would highly recommend Russell & Wrybill to anyone wanting to bird New Zealand.

We met Sav at the International Bird Fair at Rutland Water in UK. We are not birders, but love nature in all its glory. As we were to visit NZ this year, we contacted Sav who arranged for us to have a day with him exploring the Boundary Stream Reserve north of Napier. We saw 42 species of bird during the day together with ferns fungi and an orchid - and even had time for some wine tasting. Just brilliant. A fab advert for NZ and Wrybill in particular. Huge thanks.

Thank you very much! We are glad you had a great day out!

I was privileged to go on a 21 day birding trip through Wrybill Tours with co-owner "Sav" Saville as our guide. What an outstanding trip. Despite a couple of days of unusual weather, which no one could have predicted, Sav managed to make Lemonade out of lemons by finding alternative locations to see some of the birds we thought we would have to miss. In addition to being an incredible birder his knowledge of birding locations throughout every portion of New Zealand is simply awe-inspiring. Though it was a "birding" trip Sav provided us with an amazing amount of New Zealand history and tidbits of lore as we travelled from one birding location to the next. Sav provided us several visits to museums while waiting for a ferry. Gorgeous country, wonderful people, great food! I would recommend visiting all three main islands to get a full picture of the variety habitat and landforms . Would recommend Wrybill to everyone.

Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - Day Tours

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Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - Day Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - Day Tours

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Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - Day Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Search New Zealand Birds

Wrybill (ngutuparore).

Species: Anarhynchus frontalis Quoy & Gaimard

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New Zealand – Endemics & Albatrosses

This exciting new itinerary takes in as much of New Zealand’s spectacular scenery as possible, whilst maximising our chances of locating as many of the New Zealand endemic and native birds as possible. We have structured the tour so that we  have enough time to see the things we need to see without a hectic pace. Our tour aims to see members of the six endemic New Zealand families – the kiwi (aiming at four taxa, plus hearing a fifth), the New Zealand parrots (Strigopoidea, aiming at both kaka subsp. and kea), the New Zealand wrens (aiming for both of the two extant species), the New Zealand wattlebirds (aiming for all of the three extant species), the newly revised stitchbird now in its own Family, the Notiomystidae, and the New Zealand creepers, the Mohouidae (all three species). Our Birding tour trip list generally boasts around 155+ species, with around 65 endemic breeding species and 25 – 30 tubenose species. Of course, while the endemic birds are a key aspect, there is also some quite remarkable seabirding on offer on this tour too. Expect albatrosses galore as we head to sea on a series of pelagic trips. Throw in a beautiful climate and some breathtaking scenery and this is quite a tour.  Neil Glenn will lead this holiday, working with our fantastic ground agents at Wrybill Tours throughout the trip to deliver a once in a lifetime birding trip.

Fly London/Auckland – this will be in two flights across three days with options either via the states or far east. You will depart the UK on 20th January depending on chosen schedule. Once in New Zealand you will transfer to Auckland Rose Park Hotel for a leisurely day ahead of the birding tour starting tomorrow. The overnight hotel in Auckland is included in your tour cost. See notes under ‘Additional Information’ for more detail on flights and pricing. 

DAY ONE (23RD JANUARY)

We meet the Wrybill Tours team to start our birding adventure this morning with pick up from the Auckland Rose Park Hotel. Auckland to Kerikeri (4 ½ hours driving). One of our first stops may be at a forested area near to central Auckland where we will get an introduction to some of New Zealand’s forest species, such as North Island tomtit, New Zealand pigeon, grey fantail, and grey gerygone (grey warbler). Or we will head to a spot on the rugged west coast to one of New Zealand’s three mainland Australasian gannet colonies. Superb views and photographic opportunities exist, and we will also look for other common coastal species such as pied cormorant, red-billed gull, and white-fronted tern. We will then head back across to the east coast, to several wetland areas to look for New Zealand scaup, New Zealand grebe (dabchick), grey teal, Australasian shoveler, Pacific black duck (grey duck), Paradise shelduck, and other waterbirds. We will also spend time looking for buff-banded rail (banded rail) in likely mangrove habitat. Continuing northwards we are heading for Kerikeri where we will check into our accommodation and rest up for our post-dinner walk to look for Northern brown kiwi. We will certainly hear, and may see morepork as well.

Kerikeri to Waipu, Marsden Cove pelagic (3 hours driving). This morning we will head south to a small harbour on the East Coast, called Marsden Cove. We aim to be boarding our first pelagic at around 1000, and heading out into the north-western part of the Hauraki Gulf. This pelagic is designed to specifically target Pycroft’s petrel and little shearwater which breeds on nearby islands, but it also gives us our first shot at all the northern breeding seabirds. We will expect to see common diving-petrel, Buller’s, flesh-footed, and fluttering shearwaters, fairy prions, perhaps grey-faced petrel, plus Cook’s and black petrel, and white-faced and the recently rediscovered New Zealand storm-petrel (which Sav and Brent rediscovered in January 2003). This gives us our first chance to explore the northern waters, and is a quite scenic area as well with some beautiful islands and a stunning coastline. We will overnight in the small coastal town of Waipu.

Waipu to Warkworth (3 hours driving). This morning we will head south to an estuary which is one of the last places to see the critically endangered fairy tern (currently only about 30-40 birds), as well as other shorebirds, including New Zealand plover (NZ dotterel), variable oystercatcher, black-winged stilt (pied stilt) and Arctic migrants such as bar-tailed godwit and red knot. Several estuarine areas further south may also be checked depending on time and whether we have been successful in finding fairy tern. Other areas close by can be checked for New Zealand pipit and Australasian little grebe, and we will also visit a forested coastal area for a chance to see some of our first endemic forest birds. It will be a relaxed day of birding, in a variety of habitats, before heading to our accommodation in Warkworth, where we will stay for two nights.

Warkworth, Hauraki Gulf Pelagic (¾ hour driving). Today we will again spend the day out on the beautiful Hauraki Gulf, our second pelagic trip of the tour. Despite largely being in the same body of water as our first pelagic, there will almost certainly be some differences in the species seen, and having this second opportunity allows for differences in weather and sea conditions. Leaving from Sandspit we will head out towards Little Barrier Island and chum at several locations nearby. The main focus of the day will be to again locate the seabirds which are most easily seen in the northern part of New Zealand, such as the New Zealand storm-petrel, as well as black and Cook’s petrel, Buller’s, flesh-footed, fluttering and little shearwater, and white-faced storm-petrel. Depending on weather and conditions we may head out to a site where there is another Australasian gannet colony, and during late summer a roosting site for grey noddy (grey ternlet). Eyes will not just be on the look-out for birds, as this area is also excellent marine mammal habitat, with both common and bottle-nosed dolphins being possible, and occasionally in late summer Bryde’s whales. The night will be spent at the same accommodation in Warkworth.

Warkworth to Tiritiri Matangi Island (1 hour driving). Today we will head to one of New Zealand’s most incredible birding locations. Tiritiri Matangi Island is truly a gem in New Zealand’s conservation crown. A short ferry ride out to the island should give us a chance to see fluttering shearwater, white-fronted tern, and possibly parasitic jaeger(Arctic skua). Upon arrival we will be met and given information about the island by Department of Conservation staff. Once farmed, the island is now an open sanctuary that has been extensively replanted, with some areas of original forest remaining. We will focus on seeing all of the endemics on the island, with North Island saddleback, kokako, stitchbird, takahe, brown teal, and red-crowned parakeet being present. Other more common forest birds such as whitehead, tui, bellbird, New Zealand fantail, grey gerygone, and North Island robin will be seen, and we will also wait for spotless crake to appear at one of the small ponds. After dinner we will head out to look for morepork and hopefully little spotted kiwi, as well as perhaps Tuatara, an endemic reptile related to the dinosaurs, and little penguin as well. The night will be spent in accommodation on the island, with this being limited to a communal bunkhouse, with bunk beds in shared rooms. Although rustic the experience is well worth it, and not to be missed. An overnight bag will be taken with minimal gear and bedding will be provided.

Tiritiri Matangi Island to Miranda (3 hours driving). Getting up early will allow us to hear the dawn chorus, and we will leave Tiritiri Matangi mid-morning, heading south to one of New Zealand’s premier shorebird sites, the world-renowned Miranda, in the Firth of Thames. The Firth of Thames is listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of International significance. We will check into our accommodation near Miranda, and then head to the Miranda Shorebird Centre to get information on the latest sightings and then head out to see what’s around for ourselves. We are likely to see wrybill, bar-tailed godwit, red knot, red-necked stint, ruddy turnstone, New Zealand plover, double-banded plover (banded dotterel), variable and South Island pied oystercatcher, black-winged stilt, black-billed gull, and Caspian tern. During the summer months there are usually a few of the less common shorebirds that visit our shores, such as sharp-tailed, pectoral, marsh, or terek sandpiper, and we will be on the look-out for these and other vagrants. Shorebird watching in this area is largely dependent on the tides, so we will be working around the high tide, and may visit other nearby areas if time permits.

Miranda to Turangi (4 hours driving). Depending on the tides and successes at Miranda, we may head back early morning for another look, before heading south towards the centre of the North Island. We will likely make some quick stops along the way, however, our main focus for the day is the Pureora Forest Park to the west of Lake Taupo. This extensive area of forest is one of the best places in the North Island to see New Zealand kaka (North Island subsp.), yellow-crowned parakeet, long-tailed koel (cuckoo), shining bronze-cuckoo, rifleman, and we will also encounter other more common forest species. We will also be on the look-out for New Zealand falcon which inhabits this area, and New Zealand pipit may be seen on the roads in the area. We will head to Turangi in the early evening to our accommodation.

Turangi to Napier (4 hours driving). This morning we will concentrate our efforts around Turangi looking for our most extraordinary waterbird, the blue duck. Inhabiting swift-flowing mountain streams these birds have declined markedly, even at sites where they were reliable only a few years ago, and there are really only a handful of locations they can be seen without major hikes. We will visit several locations and spend time watching these remarkable birds. We will then head east to a forested area between Taupo and Napier. As it is an intensively managed site where introduced mammals are controlled and fauna and flora have been able to flourish, we are likely to see more forest birds here than at other locations in the North Island. North Island robin, kokako, and North Island kaka have been reintroduced, and we should at least have a chance of seeing these, as well as New Zealand pigeon, long-tailed koel (cuckoo), shining bronze-cuckoo, whitehead, tomtit, tui, bellbird, and rifleman. New Zealand falcon and New Zealand fernbird are also in the area and we can spend time trying to locate both of these species. We will then head down to Napier, where if time allows we will check out an estuarine area for shorebirds, or several wetland areas for waterfowl and other species. Accommodation for the night will either be in Napier or nearby Havelock North.

Napier or Havelock North to Foxton (3 ½ hours driving). The focus for the morning will depend a little on what we have or haven’t seen to date. There are locations for shorebirds, waterfowl and bittern, we can have a second go at forest species where we were the day before, or we can take it easy and head slowly across to the Manawatu region and head to the Manawatu Estuary for more views of wrybill and other shorebirds. We will stay the night in Foxton, very close to the Manawatu Estuary, which is one of the best sites in New Zealand for shorebird watching. Shorebirds at this location are often extremely confiding, and we will see bar-tailed godwit, red knot, variable oystercatcher, and probably wrybill. Depending on the state of the tide, and what’s around at the time, other birds like Pacific golden plover, sharptailed or curlew sandpipers, ruddy turnstone, and red-necked stint may be present.

Foxton to Picton (3 hours driving). Depending on tide times we will call into the Manawatu Estuary again. We will then head south along the scenic Kapiti Coast towards Wellington, making several stops on the way to see black-fronted dotterel and waterfowl. The Interisland ferry leaves from Wellington, heading across to the South Island via the Cook Strait. From the relatively stable platform of the ferry, this is an excellent piece of water to look for seabirds, with approximately half of the three hour trip spent in open water in the Cook Strait. Spotted shag, fairy prion, fluttering shearwater, and white-fronted tern, should be seen, and depending on weather conditions and prevailing winds New Zealand wandering, white-capped, and Salvin’s albatross, northern giant-petrel, Westland petrel, and sooty shearwater are all possible. Common diving-petrel and little penguin are often seen near the entrance to the Marlborough Sounds, and the latter often in the calmer enclosed waters of the Sounds. Less common seabirds are often seen within this stretch of water, as are dolphins, so it is well worth being on the lookout. The ferry docks in Picton, and we have less than a 5-minute drive to our accommodation in Picton.

Picton to Kaikoura (4 hours driving). Today we head out onto the Marlborough Sounds, further exploring Queen Charlotte Sound. Our main target for the morning is the New Zealand king shag, a rare endemic with a population of only about 650 birds. We will also be looking for two dolphin species, the endangered endemic Hector’s dolphin, and the more common dusky dolphin, as well as little penguin, fluttering shearwater, spotted shag, and Australasian gannet. New Zealand fur seals are also present. We have the opportunity to make stops at two small island sanctuaries, where we will try for orange-fronted parakeet, South Island saddleback, South Island robin, and other common forest species such as New Zealand pigeon and bellbird. Back in Picton at midday, we will grab some lunch and then head south towards Kaikoura, stopping to eat along the way, and then visiting a coastal area to search for shorebirds. There are generally banded dotterel, black-winged stilt, black-billed gulls, and sometimes other vagrant shorebirds. A brief stop on the scenic coast just before Kaikoura will allow excellent views of New Zealand fur seals and spotted shags, and enable us to ‘forecast’ sea conditions for the following days’ pelagic trip. If time allows we will check the surrounding areas for the introduced cirl bunting, and after dinner can head out to look for the introduced little owl in neighbouring farmland. We will spend the night in the once sleepy, but now bustling town of Kaikoura, where we will have two nights in the same accommodation.

Kaikoura, Albatross Encounter pelagic in the morning, afternoon at leisure. Today will be spent doing one of the great New Zealand pelagics. Due to the depth of the Kaikoura canyon just offshore, we are able to be in water 4,000 m deep within half an hour, allowing us to really get amongst the seabirds, and although the species list varies throughout the year, in any season we can expect to have at least 3 species of albatross, normally as close as 5-6 feet away, including northern and southern royal, New Zealand wandering, black-browed, Campbell, white-capped, and Salvin’s albatross. On top of this add Cape petrel (pigeon), Westland and white-chinned petrels, northern giant-petrel, and the endemic Hutton’s shearwater, which breeds in the spectacular mountains behind Kaikoura, plus the potential for other species like grey-faced petrel, southern giant-petrel, sooty and short-tailed shearwater, and you have the makings of a truly memorable morning. The area is also renowned for dusky and Hector’s dolphins, and we may see these along the way. The afternoon will be at your leisure, with time for a range of options such as doing another afternoon pelagic, whale watching (sperm whales are present year round), swimming with dolphins, or just relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Any activities during the afternoon will be at your own expense. We will stay at the same accommodation as the night before in Kaikoura.

DAY THIRTEEN

Kaikoura to Arthur’s Pass (3 ½ hours driving). Today we will head deep into the Southern Alps through to Arthur’s Pass, making several stops along the way, and passing through some exceptionally scenic alpine areas. Our target bird for the day will be kea, which we should be able to find near Arthur’s Pass itself. On the way we will make short stops to break up the journey, including a stop at an estuarine area, where we will look for shorebirds and terns. We may be lucky enough to find what is almost certainly one of the most beautiful terns, the black-fronted tern, which breeds nearby. We should also catch up with some of the South Islands’ forest species, such as New Zealand brown creeper, yellow-fronted parakeets, and South Island robin, before checking in to our accommodation near Arthur’s Pass. After dinner we will venture out in the evening to try and listen for great spotted kiwi, which are occasionally heard nearby.

DAY FOURTEEN

Arthur’s Pass to Franz Josef (3 ½ hours driving). This morning we will head west, up and over the Pass and on to the stunning West Coast. Our days’ events will be dictated by our previous successes, and we can head to forested areas to look for some of the South Island endemics, such as New Zealand brown creeper, look for New Zealand fernbird (South Island subsp.) and weka, alpine areas to look for kea again, and enjoy the views, making stops to take photos. Nearing our destination town of Franz Josef we can head into the glacial valley to admire views of the Franz Josef glacier, or head out to the coast to see great egret and royal spoonbill in coastal lagoons. As we will be out late tonight we will try and be at our accommodation around late afternoon for a rest. Our accommodation is on the outskirts of Franz Josef township, and after dinner we will head out to look for Okarito brown kiwi, the rarest of the three brown kiwi, with an estimated 400 birds remaining.

DAY FIFTEEN

Franz Josef to Wanaka (4 ½ hours driving). Depending on how late we were out the previous night, we will head south towards the township of Haast, stopping at one or two places on the way. During October-November, Fiordland crested penguins breed at sites along this coast, and we should be able to see them. Later in the summer our best bet is further south, where we might find one or two birds close to shore. From Haast we head inland through some spectacular mountain scenery, with our focus being a visit to Haast Pass. This site is home to a number of forest species, and has in the past had the endangered yellowhead. However, more recently the species has been very hard to find here, with the population struggling to hold its own against introduced predators. However, the site is also good for New Zealand kaka (South Island subsp.), yellow-crowned parakeet, rifleman, South Island tomtit, New Zealand brown creeper, and long-tailed koel (cuckoo). We will stay as long as we can in this area, making the most of our time in this amazing forest. We will then drive through to the beautiful lake-side town of Wanaka, just over an hour away, to our accommodation.

DAY SIXTEEN

Wanaka to Te Anau (6 ½ hours driving). Today will involve quite a bit of driving, but we will be passing through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery, heading towards Milford Sound. We will pass through likely areas for kea, yellow-crowned parakeet, rifleman, South Island robin, tomtit, and long-tailed koel (cuckoo). Our focus however, will be to make a stop in alpine habitat for rock wren (South Island wren), one of the World’s most primitive passerines, and related to the more common rifleman. The days stops will largely be dictated by weather and success with rock wren, which is not possible anywhere else along the way. Although the day will be spent in stunning scenery anyway, if time allows we may head through to Milford Sound to view it from the shore. We will spend the night at accommodation in Te Anau.

DAY SEVENTEEN

Te Anau to Stewart Island (3 hours driving). Today we are heading for the third main island of New Zealand – Stewart Island. We aim to catch the ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island late morning. There are options for stopping along the way, but it is likely we will head straight through to Bluff to meet the ferry. The van will stay in a secure carpark in Bluff, and we will board the ferry as foot passengers, with an overnight bag and the things we need for our two nights on Stewart Island. Depending on the sea and weather conditions the one-hour ferry crossing can be excellent for seabirds, with albatross (Southern royal, white-capped, and Salvin’s), giant-petrel, mottled petrel, Cape petrel (pigeon), common diving-petrel, fairy prion, sooty shearwater, and brown skua all possible. We will also see Foveaux shag, either as we leave Bluff or on arriving at Stewart Island. Upon arriving we will check into our accommodation, and should be able to see New Zealand kaka (South Island subsp.), New Zealand pigeon, and tui around the township of Oban, before heading to the nearby Ulva Island via water taxi. Ulva Island is another predator free sanctuary, but home to some of the South Island specialties we may still need. Yellowhead, South Island saddleback, and some of the more common forest species such as brown creeper, red- and yellow-crowned parakeet, kaka and rifleman can all be found here. Back in Oban we will have dinner, after which we will head out to search for Southern brown kiwi, an unforgettable experience.

DAY EIGHTEEN

Stewart Island pelagic. Today we plan to do a pelagic, but this is one part of the World you don’t want to be caught out by weather. Therefore, we will head out to see what we can find, but the distance and direction of travel will depend entirely on the weather. However, if we hit it right, the results can be stunning. With such a close proximity to the Southern Ocean, and large seabird colonies being on many of the surrounding islands we may be able to find an excellent array of seabirds. In particular target birds for the day are Fiordland crested penguin, yellow-eyed penguin, southern royal albatross, white-capped, Buller’s (Jan/Feb) and Salvin’s albatross, both northern and southern giant-petrel, mottled and Cook’s petrel, broad-billed and fairy prion, and common divingpetrel. Other more common species we will almost certainly see are Cape petrel (pigeon), sooty shearwater, spotted and Foveaux shags, brown skua, white-fronted tern, and red-billed gull. Almost any vagrant Southern Ocean seabirds are possible, and we will be keeping our eyes peeled for storm-petrels, and other albatross and petrel species. Depending on our success with Southern brown kiwi the previous night, and the possibility of cancellation due to weather, we may head out again after dark as a back-up. Our accommodation will be the same as last night.

DAY NINETEEN

Stewart Island to Oamaru (5 hours driving). We will leave fantastic Stewart Island on the morning ferry, hoping to catch up with a few more seabirds as we head to Bluff. We will then head northwards towards Oamaru, taking in the very scenic Catlins Coast. This coastal section is renowned for its scenic views and rough weather-beaten coastline. During a stop at one of the beaches along the way we will search for Hooker’s sealion (a New Zealand endemic) which are often found on this section of coastline. We can also stop off at several other places on route to admire the scenery and look for forest birds. We will also stop at a beach to look for yellow-eyed penguins coming ashore. Depending on the weather and prevailing winds, seabirds may also be passing along the coast, with species such as giant-petrels and Otago shag being possible. Our accommodation for the night is in Oamaru.

Oamaru to Twizel (4 ½ hours driving). We again head inland, this time into one of the driest parts of the South Island – the arid Mackenzie basin. With stunning glacial till-coloured lakes, mountains, and red tussocks, the scenery and birds will be amazing. The focus of the day is the worlds’ rarest shorebird, the black stilt. With a population of around 100 wild birds, they are a species which has a considerable conservation effort invested in them. Depending on our luck, we may find them easily at our first stop, or they may make us work for it. Along the way we will be keeping eyes peeled for New Zealand falcon, which is regularly found in this area, as well as stops for the introduced chukor, and waterbirds, including great crested grebe, common coot, and the ever difficult Baillon’s crake (marsh crake). On a clear day we should have views of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook (Aorangi). We will spend the night at accommodation in Twizel.

DAY TWENTY-ONE (12TH FEBRUARY)

Twizel to Christchurch (4 hours driving). Heading northwards towards Christchurch we will head through a lot of agricultural country before hitting the coast and crossing a large number of braided rivers that flow from the majestic Southern Alps to the sea. Many of these rivers are good breeding sites for wrybill and black-fronted terns, and we may makes stops here or at several coastal lagoons, before arriving in Christchurch. We will reach the airport in Christchurch around 1pm, ready for a late afternoon overnight flight back to the UK. Arrival back in the UK on 14th February depending on flight options. 

WHAT’S INCLUDED

All transport within New Zealand from the pick-up point to the drop-off point (unless at times or from places other than specified), travel through the country, ferries, and boat charters. • All accommodation during the tour, from Day 2 through to Day 21.  • All meals from dinner at the Auckland Rose Park Hotel on 22nd January to lunch on 12th February. Breakfast generally consists of a continental style breakfast with cereal, fruit and yoghurt and tea/coffee. Full cooked breakfast is not generally possible at most locations. Lunch will generally consist of a packed lunch style meal eaten in the field, with sandwich/filled roll, fruit, and a drink. Dinner will consist of several options for main, with the choice of either an appetiser or dessert. • All Guide services and additional tour fees eg. kiwi tours, Department of Conservation concessions, Albatross Encounter pelagic, etc. • A copy of Birds of New Zealand: A Photographic Guide (one copy per couple/single) and a Tour booklet which includes a checklist, copy of the itinerary, and pages for taking notes on locations, etc.

NOT INCLUDED

Travel insurance, drinks and any items of a purely personal nature.

*NB – Please note we have not included flights in the tour cost because we understand people might have different preferences for the route, some might want to build in an extra overnight stop en route, upgrade to business class or use airmiles. We can arrange your flights for you to suit your exact needs and will quote a price for this once the tour is confirmed, or you can opt to arrange your own. As a ball park, return economy class flights via Los Angeles cost around £2000 per person. 

PASSPORT, VISA & HEALTH

You do not need a visa to enter New Zealand as a visitor for up to 6 months, but you will need to get a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel. The NZeTA costs NZD $9 if applying via the dedicated mobile app, or NZD $12 if completed online. You will also need to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $35 when you apply. Once issued, the NZeTA is valid for up to two years. The New Zealand immigration authorities recommend that applicants allow up to 72 hours for processing. On arrival in New Zealand, you will also need to satisfy the Immigration Officer that you meet the criteria for visa-free entry, which includes having an onward ticket and sufficient funds to support you during your stay. You can check the full criteria on the New Zealand Immigration website.

Tour at a glance

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Oriole Birding Follow

Oriole Birding is a UK based birdwatching tour company specialising in small group holidays throughout the UK and to over 30 countries worldwide

A fabulous first morning in Bhutan with @OrioleBirding after a smooth journey. Ibisbill close to the airport followed by Black-tailed Crake nearby (my 1st lifer) & Paro Rinpung Dzong (built in 1637). Earlier we saw Kangchenjunga from the plane (third highest mountain the world).

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All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked [flights, hotels and other services] is listed on it.

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Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - Day Tours

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Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ - Day Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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WRYBILL BIRDING TOURS, NZ - DAY TOURS (Napier) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

2022-23 season completed successfully

Apr 2, 2023

Well our 2022-23 season has finished, with what can only be described as our busiest season to date. We are so glad to have been able to get back into tour mode, and show New Zealand and it’s amazing scenery and birds to all our clients this season.  Many of the people out on tour with us had been booked with us for 3-4+ years.  So, with the opening of the New Zealand border in mid 2022, it was a great relief to be able to run our tours.

Of course this summer was not without issues, with the weather being a bit of a disruption.  Storms and unprecedented amounts of rain and flooding caused issues with roads, airports, and of course boat trips.  However, we think the tours got off fairly lightly, with the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle which caused incredible devastation to parts of the East Coast of the North Island, occurring just after all of our tours visiting that part of the country had passed.  Climate change and unpredictable weather are certainly more and more evident, and we as operators feel even more committed to treading as lightly as we can.  Our commitment to the World Land Trust remains steadfast.

Looking forward to next season, we already have almost all tours fully booked, and have just updated the website with dates for pelagic tours next season, and beyond.  And our dates for 21-day tours through to early 2025 are now up.  With people fully returning to travel, and New Zealand being the destination it is, we advise anyone looking to book a tour with us, to let us know sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment!

• 21-day New Zealand tours
• Pelagic day trips