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Miranda Shorebird Centre |
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Description The Miranda list records 131 bird species including 43 waders. It is the best all-year site for wrybill with up to half the population wintering there. The Miranda Shorebird Centre on the Firth of Thames is both information centre and lodge. Comfortable accommodation includes self-contained units and bunk dormitories with full kitchen facilities. There is also extensive displays and dioramas plus a natural history library. The Miranda Naturalists' Trust is an independent charitable trust. They do not receive direct funding from the state. The main sources of income are membership, which currently stands at 800; revenue from accommodation; souvenirs such as T-shirts, books etc; and donations. The Firth of Thames is listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international significance. It is also officially designated a site on the East Asia-Australasia Shorebird Site Network. This network seeks to identify and protect key stopover sites used by migratory birds on the journey between their Arctic breeding grounds and the wintering sites in Australia and New Zealand. History The Trust was formed to encourage people to visit the coastline and appreciate its wide range of flora and fauna. The Trust encourages research and other educational activities. The Trust is involved with studying bird migration. The Trust owns and operates the Miranda Shorebird Centre which offers a range of events and education programmes through the year. |
(page last updated 26 October 2013) |
web diva: Narena Olliver, new zealand birds limited , Greytown, New Zealand. 2006 |
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