Waiheke dotterel chick takes first flight after conservation efforts
Friday, 18 January 2019
A Waiheke Island dotterel chick has been spotted taking flight following conservation efforts to protect the bird's family.
Surfdale Beach, a popular dog-walking spot on the Auckland island, was closed over breeding season to protect a nesting site belonging to a recently established flock of endangered New Zealand dotterels, or tūturiwhatu.
A pair of dotterels nesting at nearby Waiheke High School had been visiting the beach with their chick for some flying lessons.
The chick was spotted flying alongside its proud parents over the weekend.
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Waiheke Local Board deputy chair Paul Walden called it an 'incredible success story for the species' and credited the community who helped the dotterel family thrive.
He gave a special mention to dog owners who he said had played an integral part in protecting the birds from danger and distress by respecting the dog-walking ban.
'This support gave the young dotterel parents the best start possible to nest and hatch their young,' he said.
The temporary ban, which was due to end in February, was lifted early and dog owners are now free to use the beach.
But Auckland Council requested dog owners remain cautious of Waiheke's native seabirds.
Waiheke Island is a popular habitat for the dotterel, which has a global population of just over 2,300 birds.
Waiheke Island was home to a few dotterel pairs over the breeding season. They are expected to move to a flocking site at the western end of Blackpool Beach over the cooler months before returning.
The New Zealand dotterel's conservation status is recovering, according to the New Zealand Birds Online encyclopaedia, which means numbers are increasing following a decline.
The southern New Zealand dotterel lives on Stewart Island and nests on mountain tops, while the northern New Zealand dotterel lives in coastal regions of the North Island.
Shorebird breeding and roosting habitats faced pressure from land developments and recreational activities, such as dog walking and kite-surfing. Dotterels also nest in open sites which are easily destroyed by high tides, beach-walkers and off-road vehicles.
Chicks, eggs and some mature birds also have little to no defence against common predators such as hedgehogs, cats, rats and stoats.
Kaikōura District Council was recently scrutinised for establishing a freedom camping area at a significant breeding site for banded dotterels.