Help safeguard riverbed birds
Braided rivers are home to some of New Zealand's unique and threatened birds. Your actions can help ensure their survival.
Riverbed birds nest from early September through to late January and need your special consideration during this period. The endangered black stilt/kakī can start to establish breeding territories as early as July-August.
Keep your dog on a lead - a loose dog
scares birds off nests and leaves chicks
vulnerable
So please:
- Keep clear of nesting colonies and watch out for eggs and chicks. They are hard to see and very fragile.
- Be aware of birds you have disturbed. Move on within five minutes so that birds can return to their eggs and chicks or they will die.
- Avoid driving any vehicle on riverbeds. Vehicles unsettle birds and run over eggs and chicks. Park on the bank and walk to your destination.
- Keep dogs on a lead or strictly to heel from early September through to late January. A dog running loose on a riverbed can scare away birds and destroy eggs and chicks.
- Jet boats disturb birds and wash away nests. The speed limit for boats is five knots within 200 metres of the bank on many rivers (see Environment Canterbury Navigation Bylaws 2005 for exemptions). The NZ Jetboat Association can supply more information about jet boating in rivers.
- Obtain any necessary resource consents from regional councils for riverbed works. Talk with Department of Conservation staff about how you can minimise the impact of activities on river birds.
- Above all respect braided riverbeds. The plants and animals that live there need your help to survive.
For more information
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Twizel Area Office
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Phone:
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+64 3 435 0802
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Fax:
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+64 3 435 0852
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Email:
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TwizelAO@doc.govt.nz
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Address:
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Wairepo Road
Twizel 7901
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Postal Address:
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Private Bag
Twizel 7944
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Contacts
|
Twizel Area Office
|
|
Phone:
|
+64 3 435 0802
|
|
Fax:
|
+64 3 435 0852
|
|
Email:
|
TwizelAO@doc.govt.nz
|
|
Address:
|
Wairepo Road
Twizel 7901
|
|
Postal Address:
|
Private Bag
Twizel 7944
|