Liz Light & Oscar Thomas

Oscar Thomas

The 50 Best Birdwatching Sites in New Zealand covers 50 sites on the North and South Islands, Rakiura/Steward Island and Chatham Islands that are best for birdwatching.

New Zealand has a diverse range of bird specie, and is especially important for pelagics. Thirteen of the world’s 18 penguin species have been recorded in the New Zealand region (including the Ross Dependency). Nine of these species breed in New Zealand. Of petrels, 37 of the world’s 114 species breed in the New Zealand region, some on the mainland or nearby islands so they can be seen flying around, but many stick to the Southern Ocean islands. Eleven of the world’s 22 albatross species nest in New Zealand and of those nine do not nest elsewhere.

Detailed descriptions of each site cover the type of terrain, and the tracks and trails where certain species are likely to be encountered. Particular species for each site are highlighted. A fact file for each site lists land or sea access; type of habitat, best time to visit, facilities and accommodation. Key species for each site are also listed.

Liz Light was an Auckland-based travel writer and photographer who sadly died in 2020. She travelled extensively but it was New Zealand, her homeland, that held her heart. She utterly loved its splendid scenery, and its open, new-world attitudes and ambience. Liz won numerous awards for both her writing and photography.

Oscar Thomas spent his high school years volunteering for conservation organizations, advocating and raising awareness of New Zealand’s unique wildlife, and travelling the country in search of as many different birds as he could observe and photograph. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he is now studying Ecology and Zoology at the University of Otago.

Specifications• 210 x 148 mm (8¼ x 6”) • 224 pages • 60,000 words approx.• approx. 200 photographs + 3 maps
• ISBN 9781913679408 • £19.99 paperback (UK), NZ$39.99 including GST (NZ) • Available