Tiny shore bird numbers critical

By ROSALEEN MacBRAYNE

New Zealand's dotterels are more precious than ever, with their survival status now ranked as "acutely critical."

Until last month the Department of Conservation classed the tiny shore birds as "threatened". The upgrade reflects the increasing pressures and threats they face, especially during the spring nesting season.

The department will undertake a national dotterel census later this year. At last count, there were only 1500 of the endangered birds, almost 400 of those in the Bay of Plenty.

One of the top breeding sites is on Matakana Island, in Tauranga Harbour.

The relative isolation of the island's beaches was vital in ensuring successful breeding, said DoC protected species ranger John Heaphy.

Dotterels try to nest along other parts of the coastline but, because the eggs and chicks are so well camouflaged, they are extremely vulnerable.

Not only are they run over by four-wheel drives, crushed by feet and attacked by dogs, they are prey to feral cats, stoats, rats, possums, hedgehogs and black-backed gulls.

"It isn't an easy life for the dotterel," said Mr Heaphy.

"The community can help by watching out for the nesting area signs and leaving the birds in peace."

He said people walking on beaches should avoid disturbing nests by staying below the high-tide mark, keeping dogs on leashes and not bringing vehicles on to the sand.

Pest control started on Matakana Island last month in preparation for the nesting season. Cats, rats and possums have been trapped.

Matakana Island's breeding programme, which began in 1992, has resulted in 271 successfully fledged chicks.