WILDLIFE

Since it was opened in 1972 the Auckland Regional Council with the help of volunteers has been improving the conservation values of Shakespear Park. Revegetation in the valleys and regular pest control have helped increase the population of birds such as kereru and have allowed bellbirds to regain a foothold on the mainland. The park has benefited hugely from having Tiritiri Matangi Island as a near neighbour as there is daily interchange of birds between the two – tui and pigeon are often seen leaving the park for Tiri.

Less common visits also take place of birds which don’t yet breed in the park such as kakariki and brown teal. These are occasionally seen in the park and will hopefully become resident once the predator eradication is complete.

Moko skinks, which are rare on the mainland, were recently found in Shakespear Park and on adjoining land. A small skink reserve has already been set up for these by park rangers to help ensure their survival.

The future is bright for wildlife in the park as an Open Sanctuary. New birds, reptiles and insects will be reintroduced which will make the park a truly special place. Kiwi will once again be heard calling where they have been absent for over a century. Many smaller birds such as saddlebacks, robins, stitchbirds and whiteheads will bring the bush to life with their constant activity. Even tuatara and bats may one day be a possibility.

If you are planning a trip to the park, print off a copy of the bird list below and see how many you can spot as you walk around the bush, the beach, the wetland or the farmland tracks. Also on the list are birds you may see in the future as the open sanctuary evolves.

Bird list for Shakespear Regional Park

Native Birds		Introduced Birds
Australasian harrier Bellbird Fantail Grey warbler Kaka Morepork NZ pigeon Pukeko Silvereye Tui Welcome swallow Little blue penguin Bullers shearwater Cooks petrel Flesh-footed shearwater Fluttering shearwater Grey-faced petrel Sooty shearwater White fronted tern Black backed gull	Gannet Red billed gull Black shag Little black shag Little shag Pied shag Reef heron Royal spoonbill White faced heron Brown teal Grey duck NZ shoveller Paradise duck NZ dotterel Pied stilt Red crowned parakeet S.I.pied oystercatcher Shining cuckoo Spur-winged plover Variable oystercatcher Kingfisher	Black swan Blackbird Brown quail Californian quail Chaffinch Eastern rosella Goldfinch Hedge sparrow Mallard duck Myna Peafowl Pheasant Redpoll Rock pigeon Skylark Sparrow Starling Thrush White-backed magpie Yellowhammer