Otago Shag Colony at Sumpter Wharf

A Globally Important Seabird Colony

Sumpter Wharf is home to the largest colony of the Otago shag, an endemic seabird found only in New Zealand. Around 650 breeding pairs gather here, accounting for roughly 40 to 50 percent of the entire species and making this one of the most significant nesting sites on the planet.

The Historic Wharf

Built to serve the booming port of Ōamaru, the wharf was closed to shipping in 2004. Its decaying timber structure became an unexpected sanctuary, first for roosting spotted shags and later for the breeding Otago shags that colonised it from 2014 onward.

Ōamaru Harbour Setting

The camera overlooks the sheltered waters of Ōamaru Harbour, framed by the town's waterfront and distant hills. The still harbour offers a constantly changing tableau of seabird activity, passing boats and the reflections of the historic coastal town.

Wildlife Conservation

The stream is supported by the Urban Wildlife Trust and the Ōamaru Penguins project, part of a wider effort to protect the harbour's fragile seabird populations. Viewers can watch the shags court, build nests and raise their chicks in this rare living window onto an endemic species.