Te Waihora- Lake Ellesmere-a bio-diveristy hotspot

Ellesmere is the one location in New Zealand with the highest number of bird species recorded at one site- around 180 types. Truely a real hot spot. The lake is essential for the survival of rare birds such as our endemic wrybill and regionally significant for the survival of the bittern. Tens of thousands of birds also use the lake with some of the highest counts of waterfowl species in New Zealand made at the lake.