"I'm still keeping a close eye out for dogs, but I see a lot more on leashes than I used to," he added.
"And closing the Kaka St ramp for a while this year made a big difference. There were very few cars on the beach while it was closed, so the birds weren't being disturbed or stressed.
He was not in favour of suggestions from some quarters, not including the Far North District Council, that vehicular access to the beach should be moved a little west, from Kaka St to Korora St.
"I've told [Mayor] John Carter that I don't think they should put a ramp there," he said.
"The river is pretty deep there, and flows both ways depending on the tide, there would be erosion issues, and vehicles would be going on to and off the beach right where the dotterels' main breeding area is.
"I hope it doesn't happen. It wouldn't make any sense."