Big Bay Conservation Trust Bring back the Bird Song.
Big Bay Conservation Trust Manager, Natasha Yamamoto, spoke of the Trust’s work at the recent Biodiversity Southland Forum. The Trust was set up in 2019 when whitebaiters and others grew concerned at the loss of flora and fauna from this wild corner of Fiordland in Southland’s north west extreme. The predator control they have undertaken since the early 2020’s has led to the volunteers doing the mahi to comment on how the bird song has now returned. There has also been the discovery of a skink that is only found in this area, which would be susceptible to mustelid predation, along with wetland bird species, bittern and fernbird. Kotuku are regularly seen around Waiuna Lagoon, and recently a weka was sighted, which was the first time those who have long frequented the area knew of. The work being undertaken by the Big Bay Conservation Trust complements that being done to the south by the Hollyford Conservation Trust, ensuring this very special area of Fiordland is a place where our native biodiversity cannot just survive, but thrive. Check this project out here
Posted on: Tuesday, 25 August 2026
