The death of an endangered dotterel at Northland’s Matapouri Beach, most likely caused by a dog, and subsequent destruction of its nest and eggs has horrified a woman who came across the scene.
The death of an endangered dotterel at Northland’s Matapouri Beach, most likely caused by a dog, and subsequent destruction of its nest and eggs has horrified a woman who came across the scene.
The death of an endangered dotterel on a Northland beach – most likely killed by a dog – has upset locals and sparked a plea for people to keep their dogs on leads and away from nesting birds.
A Tutukākā Coast resident was delighted when she went to Matapōuri Beach,about 40km northeast of Whangārei, on December 27 and saw a dotterel nest with an adult dotterel (tūturiwhatu) and three eggs.
The woman, who does not want to be named, took a photo as she was aware that the birds were endangered.
She was excited that the bird was nesting on the beach, but when she returned the next day, the dotterel was dead, and although its eggs were still intact, they were unable to be hatched. She immediately reported the death to a Department of Conservation (DoC) ranger.
The woman was horrified that the bird had been killed, and said it was clearly a dog that had done so, with paw prints around the site. DoC has since said it appeared the dotterel was killed by a dog, as indicated by footprints and other evidence.
The woman was upset that there was so little signage – only three signs on the six entrances to the beach, with one not even facing people as they walked down the steps.
She said more needs to be done to warn people of the birds nesting there and telling people to keep their dog on a lead.
“I spoke to some dog owners there who had their pets off the lead and they were unaware that there are dotterels nesting there. It shows that there is not enough signs and awareness not to have your dogs off leash here at this time of year.”
She said a bit more care and attention by dog owners, and other beachgoers, would help the threatened dotterels’ chances of survival.
A DoC spokesperson said the nest destruction was reported to the department and it does appear the dotterel was killed by a dog, with footprints visible in the sand nearby.
Dotterel chicks explore their surroundings at Woolleys Bay, on the Tutukaka Coast, in November, proof that the endangered birds can survive if people keep away from them on the beach
The spokesperson said the beach was not Public Conservation Land, so DoC was not responsible for signage.
“Our message at this time of year with nesting well underway on beaches and rivers is please have your dogs on leads and under control at all times,” the spokesperson said.
Dotterels are known to nest on several beaches along Whangārei’sTutukākā Coast, including Matapouri, Sandy Bay and Woolleys Bay.
Malcolm Pullman from environmental protection group Tutukākā Landcare Coalition said the group wanted people to enjoy the area’s beaches but also take responsibility while there.
“Our main message is keep your dogs on leads. And don’t drive cars on our beaches.”
Pullman said it was awful when dotterel nests were destroyed or birds killed, with humans, dogs and cats the main culprits, so it was incumbent on people to ensure they know if birds were nesting on the beaches and take appropriate care.
There were also dotterel nests on Woolleys Bay this year, but none at Sandy Bay. He said the Woolleys Bay chicks were now thriving.
This dotterel chick is thriving at Northland’s Woolleys Bay, undisturbed by people or their pets.
Walk and ride your horse below the high-tide mark on beaches where dotterels are breeding.
Stay outside the fenced-off areas with “birds nesting” signs.
If you see a dotterel pretending to be injured, or come across eggs or chicks, leave them alone.
Do not take vehicles on beaches.
Keep your dog on a leash at all times. Remember that some beaches are only open for dog-walking at certain times. Check first with your district council.
Step lightly on the beach.
The New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus ) is a species of shorebird found only in certain areas of New Zealand. It is also called the New Zealand plover or red-breasted dotterel, and its Māori names include tūturiwhatu, pukunui and kukuruatu.
