Discover Selwyn's Best Birdwatching Spots

Selwyn is a birdwatcher's paradise. Our diverse landscapes include wetlands, rivers, forests, mountains, coastlines, and everything in-between, meaning a wide variety of bird species can find the perfect home (or holiday) here.

But where best to see them? That’s where we turned to a true expert. Peter Langlands has been birdwatching for more than 40 years now, and he knows the Selwyn region like the back of his camera (he’s a photographer, too). Here’s his take on the best birdwatching spots in Selwyn.

Where to Watch Birds in Selwyn

Peter says about two-thirds of the bird species that have ever been recorded in New Zealand have been spotted in Selwyn, making it a fantastic place for birdwatching. But there are a few places he highlights as particularly good.

Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora)

The top spot? Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere. As one of New Zealand’s most significant wetlands, it’s a hotspot for both local and migratory birds alike.

"Lake Ellesmere is really the number one spot in New Zealand with the highest number of bird species recorded from it," says Peter. 180 total, in fact, though about 50 species can typically be found there at any one time. “The lake historically was one of the main bird-collecting spots for some of the early bird collectors in New Zealand. It's really a biodiversity hotspot"​​.

Peter says the best time of year to see birds on the lake is generally November to March, when a lot of migratory birds are on the lake.

And it’s not just the seasons that change things. The lake level and weather conditions influence things, too. “If you’ve got a strong southerly wind blowing, you might have some rarer seabirds flying along Kaitorete Spit, or just roosting on the beach,” he says.

But typically, Peter says the best days are on relatively sunny days, with calm weather. It’s best to get out early in the morning or late in the evening, because birds tend to be a lot more active then.

“It’s always changing,” Peter says, “and of course that’s what keeps it exciting.”

Royal Spoonbill

Little River Rail Trail and Ahuriri Lagoon

Peter says the Little River Rail Trail is also a good spot for birdwatching, thanks to the diversity of habitats through which it passes. One of these is Ahuriri Lagoon, which is a great spot for seeing a range of wetland birds.

Rakaia River

New Zealand’s braided river ecosystems - such as the Rakaia - provide habitats for a number of endemic bird species.

“The Rakaia River is one of the main breeding grounds for the wrybill plover, which is almost a unique sort of bird to Canterbury,” Peter says. He adds you also might see the banded dotterel, black-fronted tern, and the black-billed gull, as well as pied oystercatchers and pied stilts.

Wrybill feeding

Lincoln Township

Peter says the wetlands and reed beds around Lincoln have provided some great new birdwatching opportunities, with a really good selection of waterfowl and wetland birds. This includes some rarer species, such as the marsh crake.

Arthur’s Pass

“Arthur’s Pass is a really good area for seeing a lot of endemic native birds,” Peter says. “There’s lots of different types of forest birds.”

The kea might be the main star, but there’s also the kiwi, native robin, and native rifleman. Occasionally you might also spot a whio/blue duck. “Seeing the whio/blue ducks is a very special sighting in Canterbury, just because there’s very few wild blue ducks left in Canterbury, and seeing those birds up in Arthur’s Pass is pretty spectacular.”

Bittern in flight

Tips for Selwyn Birdwatching and Bird Photography

If you’re looking to stretch your wings and try some birdwatching, you’re in luck. It’s an easy and accessible hobby to get into. You can make a whole day of it or just keep an eye out while taking a stroll.

While you don’t need specialised equipment, Peter says there are a few items that make it easier, such as a good backpack and pair of binoculars (“You want at least around 10 times magnification,” he says).

Likewise, any camera will do the job for taking photos, but if you want to lift your game, a telephoto lens will come in handy. But it’s practice that will help the most: Peter recommends getting the hang of things by taking lots of photos of more common birds, so you’re ready should something rarer swoop in. And with such a variety of birds in Selwyn, you might not be waiting too long for that to happen.

All images courtesy of Peter Langlands - https://www.foragingnz.com/