Dotterel population threatened

Date:  14 January 2010

The wellbeing of the Northern New Zealand dotterel population at Matakana Island is being threatened by the recklessness of beach patrons.

“We’ve had reports that people are walking through, sun-bathing, and relieving themselves in the dotterel nesting areas at the south-east end of Matakana Island” says Department of Conservation (DOC) spokesperson Katrina Knill, “between stormy seas and predators, the dotterel already have to rough, it would be great if everyone can do their bit to help and keep out of dotterel nesting areas, especially when there are fences in signage in place”

NZ dotterel are endemic sand-nesting birds that are vulnerable to nest disturbance from people, their dogs, and vehicles that use the beaches that they nest on. They are an endangered species that numbers around 1700 individuals nationally. Ms Knill says that without the courtesy of the beach going public the security of the dotterel population is at serious risk.

Northern NZ dotterel chicks are
well camouflaged in the sand

The Department of Conservation and local community volunteers are working to increase dotterel numbers within the Tauranga area.  A protection programme including pest control and nest site protection has been undertaken on Matakana Island since 1992. So far this season 5 stoats, 3 rats, 1 mouse, and 181 possums have been trapped and approximately 17 dotterel chicks have successfully fledged on Matakana.

A similar programme was launched at Maketu Spit this summer by community volunteers who have observed 4 dotterel chicks and trapped 1 cat, 11 hedgehogs and approximately 25 rats so far this season.

ENDS

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