DOC's work with white heron/kōtuku
White heron
Monitoring of the nesting colony has been undertaken annually since 1944 to provide information on the health of the population over time. Currently the concessionaire that runs ecotours to the sanctuary undertakes this monitoring work on behalf of the Department fo Conservation.
The monitoring methodology measures what is happening with several key population parameters. It consists of recording the number of adults, nests, chicks, and fledglings present in the colony. Recordings are taken from September, when the birds arrive, to about March, when chicks fledge and birds leave.
In addition to kōtuku, the numbers and breeding success of royal spoonbills and little shags are also monitored.
Learn more
White heron colony tours at Waitangiroto Nature Reserve www.whiteherontours.co.nz
Contacts
Phone 0800 DOC HOTline (0800 362 468) 24 hour emergency number to report:
Sick or injured wildlife
Whale or dolphin strandings