Matakana dotterel nesting throughout the Bay
Date: 11 December 2008
One of New Zealand's most endangered bird species are increasingly nesting throughout the Bay of Plenty and beyond as a result of a 17 year long partnership between the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Matakana Island community to protect the rare New Zealand dotterel.
Matakana hatched dotterel have so far this summer been reported nesting at Coromandel, Waihi, Matata, and Ohiwa however these vulnerable shorebirds need the help of beach goers to ensure a safe summer. Human disturbance and introduced pest animals are the biggest threat to the survival of the New Zealand dotterel on Matakana Island and the mainland.
NZ dotterel chick at Matakana Island
'There is pest animal control being done around the major breeding sites but people can also put the New Zealand dotterel at risk', said John Heaphy Protected Species Officer. 'When walking on the beaches you can play your part in not disturbing any nests by keeping below the high tide mark, keeping dogs on leashes and ensuring vehicles are not taken onto the beaches'
Two fledglings have so far been banded on Matakana this summer, with more expected in the New Year. The island is one of New Zealand's largest breeding populations of these endangered birds. Dotterel from the Matakana population make an important contribution to the national population by migrating to join other colonies. Locally hatched birds from previous breeding seasons have been spotted as far north as the Firth of Thames and Whangaparoa at East Cape.
New Zealand dotterel lay their highly camouflaged eggs in simple scrapes in the sand; often just above the high tide mark. The nests are difficult to spot and can easily be destroyed by an unobservant beach goer. If a nest is disturbed the adults may abandon the nest and the eggs will perish.
There are also breeding pairs of dotterel along the coast on the Maketu spit in the Western Bay. This site is signposted to discourage visitors from disturbing these vulnerable birds. NZ dotterel were once wide spread around New Zealand, but loss of habitat, introduced predators and human disturbance have reduced their numbers nationally to just 1700.
DOC has been working with the Matakana Island community over the last 17 summers to protect and build up the island's dotterel population. Rangers visit the Matakana sites regularly to control pest animals, monitor the pairs and band chicks before they fledge. Matakana Pest Control Ranger Witana Murray has already tallied up 186 possums, and six cats in his traps around the key breeding sites. Since 1992 Matakana Island has seen over 300 successfully fledged chicks, making it one of the most successful breeding sites in the country.
The NZ dotterel project on Matakana Island is made possible through the generous support from local businesses including the Port of Tauranga, Blakely Pacific Ltd, Te Kotukutuku Corporation, Forest Lady Barge, Sanford Fisheries Limited and Tauranga Barge Company.