The Motueka Sandspit Birding Challenge
Motueka isite and Lifer bring you the Motueka Sandspit Birding Challenge, running until 29 November 2026.
Lifer is a birding game. Photograph a bird, and the app identifies it and adds it to your collection. Every bird scores, with bonuses for clear photos, streaks and lifers (any species you've never recorded before). It's free to download and free to play, on iPhone and Android.
How to join
- Download Lifer.
- Enter the challenge code from the poster at Motueka isite.
- Head out to the sandspit and see what birds you can spot.
- Check the challenge leaderboard to see where you rank.
The challenge has its own weekly leaderboard, with winners announced each week for most species and highest score.
Every bird you capture in the challenge goes into your Lifer collection as well.
Want to see bird names in te reo Māori? You can switch any time under Bird names in the menu.
Watching birds at the Motueka Sandspit
The Sandspit is one of the best shorebird sites in the country, and that's exactly why it needs care. Some of the birds here have just arrived from the Arctic and are refuelling after a flight of more than 11,000 km. Others nest right on the open sand. Both are easily disturbed, and every disturbance costs them.
Please respect the birds. A few things to keep in mind while you're playing:
- Watch from a distance. Use zoom rather than steps. A photo taken from further back is worth more here than one that disturbs a bird.
- Give them space. If a bird flies because of you, you were too close. If birds look uneasy, shift about, or start calling, back off and give them room.
- Use a scope if you have one. A scope with a phone adapter gets a far better photo from a long way back, especially of sensitive species.
- Godwit flocks need extra space. DOC advises watching them from a distance, as they're quick to take flight and one startled bird can cause the whole flock to fly off.
- Watch for ground nesters. Some shorebirds nest right on the sand, and the nests are almost invisible. If a bird seems agitated, you may be near one. Move away, and watch where you step.
- Stay on wet sand to avoid nesting areas, unless you need to avoid foraging shorebirds.
- Understand the area. Signage has information on likely sightings, bird biology, and dog prohibition areas.
- Don't touch sick or dead birds. Bird flu is a live concern in New Zealand. Leave them alone, and report anything you find to Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66.
No bird in the game is worth disturbing a real one. If it comes down to the shot or the bird, choose the bird.
Find out more about the Sandspit from the Department of Conservation.
Find out more about watching and photographing birds responsibly from the Birds New Zealand code of conduct.
This guidance was developed with the Department of Conservation, Motueka District Office.