You don’t need a life list or a huge camera lens to enjoy the birds here. Start with a quiet patch of track or the edge of the estuary, stop moving and see what happens. A kayak gives you a different view of the coast, but there’s plenty to notice before you even leave Mārahau.

The forest: listen first, look second

The bush can sound busy even when the birds are hard to spot. Listen for korimako / bellbird, watch for pīwakawaka / fantail moving through the branches and look up for kererū. At ground level, a weka may announce itself by appearing beside your bag. Keep food packed away; its enthusiasm is not a reason to share your lunch.

Give yourself time on the wooded sections of the Coast Track rather than treating every stretch between beaches as a commute. Te Papa’s guide to birds of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track is a useful introduction to the species and habitats you may encounter. Sightings vary, and a quiet walk is still a good walk.

Mārahau’s estuary: a changing dining room

Watch the edges of the saltmarsh from an established path. Te Papa identifies Mārahau as a place to look for moho pererū / banded rail, particularly on a falling tide. They can be much less obvious than the birds feeding out on the open flats, so patience helps more than getting closer.

Look for kōtare / kingfisher on a perch above the water, herons working the shallows and oystercatchers along the shore. Different water levels reveal different feeding areas. Stay out of the saltmarsh and leave birds room to feed, especially when the remaining exposed ground is crowded.

On the water: shags, shorebirds & space

Rocks, headlands and beaches give you a different cast of characters. Shags can be seen resting above the water or drying their wings, while shorebirds work along the sand. Binoculars let you enjoy the detail from a respectful distance; paddling closer is not always a better encounter.

Keep your group together and follow the kayak briefing while watching wildlife. Don’t drift towards nesting or roosting birds for a photograph, and keep away from marked nesting areas on shore. Our guided tours combine paddling with time to notice the coast; birds still choose whether to make an appearance.

Kororā: a small glimpse is a big treat

DOC’s little penguin guidance explains that kororā may be seen feeding at sea and usually come ashore in darkness. A glimpse from the water is a bonus, not something we can promise on a trip.

Leave penguins alone on land. A scruffy-looking bird may be moulting and needs undisturbed time ashore. Don’t search under vegetation or rocks, block a route to the sea or try to draw a bird out for a photo. If you find an injured bird, contact DOC for advice rather than feeding or handling it.

Why Adele Island sounds different

The birdsong has a backstory. The Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust returned South Island tīeke / saddleback to Motuareronui / Adele Island in 2014 and has also worked to restore toutouwai / robin. Predator control makes those returns possible.

Across the park, Project Janszoon’s restoration programme has helped return kākāriki, kākā, pāteke and whio. These are different birds in different habitats; don’t expect every restored species on a short coastal paddle. The work involves DOC, iwi, conservation organisations and volunteers, and continues beyond any one release day.

Before travelling near the islands, check your kayak, bags and equipment for pests, seeds and weeds. Follow current landing guidance and the crew’s instructions. Island biosecurity matters even if you only intend to paddle nearby.

Make a little room for birdwatching

  • Allow an unhurried pause beside the estuary or on a forest walk; avoid making a wildlife stop compete with your return deadline.
  • Use binoculars or a longer lens, keep voices low and let birds approach or leave freely.
  • Pack food and rubbish securely. Don’t feed weka, parrots or any other wildlife.
  • Prepare the Abel Tasman app before departure for park information and its bird-sighting reporting feature.

Explore the visitor app guide or choose a shore-based outing from our Mārahau guide. If you’re keen to add birdwatching to a paddle, tell the crew when planning your trip.

Researched 20 October 2026 using Te Papa’s coastal bird guide, DOC’s kororā advice, the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust and Project Janszoon’s restoration and biosecurity pages, linked above. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The hero shows oystercatchers in Abel Tasman National Park; the particular bay is not identified by the photographer.