Dotterels nesting near Gisborne’s Tatapouri Beach spark Department of Conservation warning

A tūturiwhatu/Northern New Zealand dotterel photographed at Tatapouri Beach, north of Gisborne. Photo / Shannon Foot

The Department of Conservation has advised residents and visitors of an East Coast beach to keep an eye out after the “unusual” arrival of native visitors.

While tūturiwhatu/New Zealand dotterel are frequent visitors to Tairāwhiti, DoC ranger project lead David Lynn said the location and timing of their appearance at Tatapouri Beach last week were unusual.

“When nesting on the East Coast, dotterels usually choose river or stream mouths, so this nesting location is likely due to displacement from another nearby site,” Lynn said.

“There are many factors which could influence this, from weather events or tides, to human involvement or predation.”

He said there were three mated pairs on the beach as of Wednesday this week, which DoC believed had nested last week.

“As a general rule, NZ dotterels take 30 days to incubate eggs, and a further 30 days to fledge young. So if this nest was laid in early January, the chicks will be fledged and moved on by late February. Signs are in place to warn the public of their presence.”

Signage put up by the Department of Conservation at Tatapouri Beach, north of Gisborne, to warn beachgoers of the presence of dotterel. Photo / Department of Conservation

There are about 2500 northern New Zealand dotterels. The population is classified as recovering.

“We have confirmed successfully nested pairs of dotterels at numerous beaches along the East Coast, with 10 pairs on Portland/Waikawa Island also.

“However, the birds are at risk of disturbance during this breeding season, especially in such a public place. Dotterels lay their eggs out in the open, usually just above the high tide mark, and are very hard to see as the nests look like scrapes in the sand and the eggs are the colour of wet sand.”

Department of Conservation ranger project lead David Lynn advised members of the public to keep an eye out for nesting dotterels on Tairāwhiti beaches, heed any signs and keep dogs and vehicles off beaches and sandspits where dotterels are known to be nesting. Photo / Department of Conservation

He advised members of the public to keep an eye out for nesting dotterels on Tairāwhiti beaches, heed any signs and keep dogs and vehicles off beaches and sandspits where dotterels are known to be nesting.

“Dotterels may feign injury if they have a nest or chicks nearby, so if you see them ‘dragging’ a wing as if it is broken, please move away slowly and carefully.

“If you see anyone ignoring these signs or endangering the nesting birds, please call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) and let us know; it’s important we work together to protect these birds as much as we can.”