20
Dotterel on the
west coast
The eight-yearly New Zealand Dotterel
Census took place in late October 2011,
and revealed a significant number of
dotterels present on the sand spit at Port
Waikato. This was the first time these
birds had been recorded there for a
number of years and at times there were
as many as nine birds present.
This site, more than most, has challenges and
in particular of the human and four-wheel drive
variety. There is access to this nesting site from
both the ocean beach and estuary sides and it
is a well used and favourite site for fisher folk,
white-baiters, horse and motorbike riders, dogs
etc. Like the other sites, there is the presence
of predators, probably even more so due to the
proximity of an established community. In the
past there has been an island in the river mouth.
This no longer exists and this may account for
the increase in dotterel numbers on the beach.
On 31 October 2011, as part of the dotterel
survey, Karen Opie recorded seven adult NZ
dotterel, including one banded.
From this point on, with help from community
members, steps were taken to protect the
birds, increasing the chances of breeding and
the likelihood of the birds remaining and/or
returning. This included, over a period of weeks,
an area being taped off with pig tail standards,
tape and signage. This was later extended and
the tape increased to a length of 1.2 kilometres.
On top of the support and resources DOC staff
were able to provide, locals also had some
independent, larger signs erected and organised
a collection of locals to survey, maintain and
patrol the site, encouraging dog owners to leash
their dogs, horses and vehicles to take the low
water mark, and people to walk around and not
through the breeding site.
Overall, in 2012 there was always 5-7 birds
present and 4 chicks were sighted.
Text courtesy of the Department of Conservation
report “Waikato Dotterel Report, 2012-2013”
written by Mike Paviour.
Biodiversity spotlight
New Zealand northern dotterel at Port Waikato. Photos supplied by Karen Opie.
