Banded rail, white-faced heron and the bar-tailed godwit; they may sound like a gang of outlaws, but they are, in fact, just some of the 40-plus birds that can be discovered in and around Ohiwa Harbour.

These birds can now be read about in the Discover the Birds of Ohiwa Harbour book, funded by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and launched this week as part of the annual BirdsaPlenty Festival.

Discover the Birds of Ohiwa Harbour was made by the Ohiwa Reserves Care Group with funding from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The pocket-sized book was designed by the Ohiwa Reserves Care Group and was compiled with photos sourced largely from local photographers, including the Eastern Bay woman Mandy Hague.

Ohiwa Reserves Care Group spokesperson Meg Collins says she is very happy with the finished product and hopes that it inspires birdwatchers and harbour users alike to appreciate the birdlife of Ohiwa.

The book has been produced to further support the goals of the Ohiwa Harbour Strategy.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council land resources manager eastern Simon Stokes says it was great to be able to support a community initiative that highlighted the biodiversity of Ohiwa Harbour.

'Ohiwa Harbour is nationally and internationally significant for many reasons, and it's great to see this informative guide to the birds of Ohiwa now available, highlighting an aspect of what makes it so special.”

BirdsaPlenty Festival spokesperson Jacqui Hughes says she was delighted that the launch of the book coincided with the festival.

'The festival supports the enhancement of bird-watching locations, boardwalks, viewing platforms and marked trails and promotes the work of the different agencies and groups that care for birds,” says Jacqui.

'The community is encouraged to appreciate the birdlife and to enhance their habitat. 'Birders from around New Zealand attend the festival as the area is one of New Zealand's best bird-watching destinations.”