Waihi North Project: Assessment of Terrestrial Ecological Values & Effects 62138 WNP AEE 17 3.3.3 Birds Typically, the desk top analysis begins with consideration of the OSNZ 10 km square records for the area. In this case that data is not particularly useful as it does not differentiate the habitat types with the species recorded and there is sufficient good quality extensive native habitat within the square (e.g. Scenic reserves and DOC estate) as to produce a list of species that will not be located within the rural landscape of the site. Other data was accessed from DOC fauna, inaturalist, and New Zealand eBird (within 10 km). During vegetation and other fauna surveys, avifauna were recorded opportunistically over the course of 20 field visits to the proposed WNP area and its surrounds in 2011, and through 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Standard, but replicated, 5-minute bird counts (5MBCs) were undertaken at four stations within the SNA vegetation plots within the southern fragment in March 2019 (Figure 2). The 5MBC stations were located within scrub, pine-dominant and rewarewa-dominant vegetation types. All birds seen and/or heard in a c.150 m – 200 m radius were recorded in the counts. The combination of 5-minute counts and general observations enabled the typical avifauna of the SNA to be characterised. 3.3.3.1 Targeted survey: NZ Pipit In addition, a targeted survey was completed on 27 March 2019 to record use of the farmland habitat by birds with a specific focus on the northern rough and steeper areas plus the access track which potentially provide habitat for New Zealand pipit (pihoihoi; Anthus novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae). New Zealand pipit have been recorded using the Tailing Storage Facility (TSF) 1A area (OGNZL records). NZ pipit is considered ‘At-Risk’ (declining) on a national basis as a result of land-use intensification because they do not prefer heavily grazed pasture (www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz). Standard replicated, 5-minute counts were undertaken at five stations (Figure 5) in the northern ‘hill country’. Those sites also provided observations along the access road which would also potentially attract NZ pipit (G. Don, pers. obs.) and the flat pasture areas of the valley floor. In addition, a total of four hours of habitat observation was undertaken. All birds seen and/or heard in a c.150 m -200 m radius were recorded in the counts. The combination of 5-minute counts and general observation is considered to have (i) enabled the typical avifauna to be characterised; and (ii) would have identified use of the habitat by NZ pipit if it was an area that was important and utilised frequently.
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