The Miranda Naturalists' Trust is based at the Miranda Shorebird Centre, located at Miranda on the western shore of the Firth of Thames on the North Island of New Zealand. It was established in 1975 by a group of Auckland-based birdwatchers. One notable person involved in the establishment of the Trust was author and naturalist Ronald Lockley. The main objects of the Trust’s constitution were to:
- establish and maintain an observatory for the study of natural history, especially birds, in the Firth of Thames and adjacent areas
- collect information on the ecology of the Miranda Coast with a view to its conservation
- encourage and promote education for the greater knowledge and enjoyment of the natural life heritage of New Zealand
Miranda Shorebird Centre
In 1975 an area of 29 ha of coastal land was leased at Miranda. However, problems with planning permission led to delays in building the observatory, and two nearby huts were leased as an interim measure to accommodate overnight visitors. In 1982 a cottage in Kaiaua was purchased for the same purpose. It was not until 1990 that the observatory, now known as the Miranda Shorebird Centre, was built, with the first stage opened on 29 September.
References
- Chambers, Stuart. (n.d. c.2000). The Story of the Miranda Naturalists’ Trust. MNT: Pokeno, New Zealand. ISBN 0-473-06493-6
