Tūī, bellbirds, fantails, kererū, grey warblers, brown creepers, silvereyes, and tomtits are common in the sanctuary, and South Island robins and riflemen, which had previously lived in the upper reaches, are increasingly venturing into the valley bottom.
Some nationally uncommon species are also present, such as New Zealand falcons/kārearea.
The Sanctuary's long-term plan is to re-introduce several threatened bird species:
Rowi or Okarito kiwi (Apteryx rowi), from the population on Motuara Island (although this has been delayed several years following a rat incursion in September 2018)
South Island saddleback / tīeke (Philesturnus carunculatus)
Orange-fronted parakeet / kākāriki karaka (Cyanoramphus malherbi)
Kākā (Nestor meridionalis)
Yellowhead / mōhua (Mohoua ochrocephala)
In the stream are freshwater crayfish (kōura) and koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis).
Nelson green geckos (Naultinus stellatus) are present, and tuatara are included in the Sanctuary reintroduction plan.
Of the invertebrates, huhu beetles and tree wētā are most noticeable, and wētā "hotels" have been installed beside the walking track.
Tūī, bellbirds, fantails, kererū, grey warblers, brown creepers, silvereyes, and tomtits are common in the sanctuary, and South Island robins and riflemen, which had previously lived in the upper reaches, are increasingly venturing into the valley bottom. Some nationally uncommon species are also present, such as New Zealand falcons/kārearea. The Sanctuary's long-term plan is to re-introduce several threatened bird species:
Rowi or Okarito kiwi (Apteryx rowi), from the population on Motuara Island (although this has been delayed several years following a rat incursion in September 2018)
South Island saddleback / tīeke (Philesturnus carunculatus)
Orange-fronted parakeet / kākāriki karaka (Cyanoramphus malherbi)
Kākā (Nestor meridionalis)
Yellowhead / mōhua (Mohoua ochrocephala)
In the stream are freshwater crayfish (kōura) and koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis). Nelson green geckos (Naultinus stellatus) are present, and tuatara are included in the Sanctuary reintroduction plan. Of the invertebrates, huhu beetles and tree wētā are most noticeable, and wētā "hotels" have been installed beside the walking track.
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary