AOC 2025

BirdLife Australia and Birds New Zealand are excited to announce the 13th Australasian Ornithological Conference (AOC) will be held in Perth/Boorloo.

The AOC will be held from Tuesday 18 – Thursday 20 November 2025 at the University of Western Australia, with side events planned for the days before and after.

The AOC is the primary conference for BirdLife Australia and Birds New Zealand, and the largest biennial gathering of enthusiastic amateur and professional ornithologists and avian researchers from Australasia and beyond. Key dates will be available soon. Sign up for email updates at https://birdlife.org.au/events/australasian-ornithological-conference-2025/ 

Otago Newsletter

Download the latest Otago newsletter here

Other recent newsletters from around the regions are available here

Auckland Programme

Download the latest Auckland Regional Programme here

Other recent newsletters from around the regions are available here 

South Auckland Newsletter

Download the latest South Auckland newsletter here

Other recent newsletters from around the regions are available here

Royal Spoonbill – National Census

In 1979 two Royal Spoonbill nests were found at Wairau Lagoon, Marlborough, before breeding also began on Otago’s coast in 1984. Birds New Zealand organised a 2013 nationwide survey that found 20 colonies with 614 nests. With more sightings across NZ in subsequent years, it is expected that there are now more new colonies. This November and December a new nationwide survey will take place to locate their colonies and count the numbers of birds in attendance and active nests. You can help by reporting the locations of possible colonies: where you have observed nesting behaviour such a stick carrying, courtship displays, or birds congregating in remote areas near or over water. Read more here

To get involved please contact your regional representative https://www.birdsnz.org.nz/contact/ or Survey Coordinator Mary Thompson: nzmaryt@gmail.com

This project is supported by the Projects Assitance Fund.

Free Book for New Members!

New members of Birds New Zealand now receive a free copy of our award-winning book – “Lost Gold: Ornithology of the subantarctic Auckland Islands” – while stocks last!

Valued at $55, this is the first ever book about the birds of New Zealand’s subantarctic Auckland Islands. Published in soft-cover format in 2020 it has 426 pages, including over 150 colour photos and maps. Please note the offer excludes overseas and family subscriptions.

Join now and get your free copy: https://www.birdsnz.org.nz/membership/

2024 Birds NZ Youth Camp in Nelson/Tasman

The next Birds NZ Youth Camp is planned from 28 September to 4 October 2024 in Nelson/Tasman. Read details here

The camp is a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop basic birding skills and get a hands-on experience with birds! If you are a student age 14-18 and keen to join the camp, just get in touch with the organizers at birds.nelson@birdsnz.org.nz.

The registration form is available for download here.

Read more about Youth Camps here.

Code of Conduct for Bird Photography

Birds New Zealand has issued a new Code of Conduct for the Photography of Birds. Download at birdsnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Code-of-Conduct-for-Photography-of-Birds-Guidelines.pdf

These ethical standards act as a best practice guide to members when taking images (including photos, videos via fixed or moving cameras including mobile phones and drones) of birds. The primary aim is to ensure respect for the security and welfare of birds and to minimise interference to birds and the surrounding environment during observation and photography.

We encourage members to read this Code of Conduct and behave accordingly. The accompanying poster may be reproduced and used to promote these guidelines at Birds New Zealand hosted or affiliated events. Download the poster at birdsnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Poster-Code-of-Conduct-for-Photography-2406.pdf