Man-made nest sites to boost breeding for endangered fairy tern/tara iti

Friday, 7 August 2020

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A critically endangered bird species is receiving a boost to its upcoming breeding season with the creation of new man-made nesting sites.

The tara iti/New Zealand fairy tern has a total population of fewer than 40 and is the most endangered bird in the country.

New Zealand Defence Force transported 50 tonnes of shell material by helicopter last week to help build the nesting sites in Mangawhai in Northland and Papakanui, north of Auckland.

Department of Conservation (DoC) biodiversity ranger Ayla Wiles said other than predator control, habitat enhancement is the most important action that can be taken to ensure tara iti survival.

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New Zealand Defence Force helicopters transferred materials last week to help build nesting sites for the endangered birds.

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Man-made shell nesting sites have been built in Mangawhai in Northland and Papakanui, north of Auckland to boost the bird’s upcoming breeding season.

“We created new shell nests for the birds last year and had success with one pair laying an egg,” she said.

“When you are talking small numbers of birds, one success, like using a safer nest to breed, is a huge step forward.”

Tara iti now have just four main nesting sites at Papakanui Spit, Pakiri Beach, Waipu and Mangawhai sandspits.

Tara iti typically build their nests on exposed, low-lying areas of shell-covered sand, leaving their eggs and chicks are very vulnerable.

The species used to nest on beaches right round the North Island coast and on the east coast of the South Island, until predators – like feral cats, rats, stoats, ferrets and weasels – along with habitat loss and human disturbance, brought them to the brink of extinction.

DoC ranger Ayla Wiles watches a Defence Force helicopter transfer materials for the man-made bird nests.

Wiles said the new shell patch breeding sites have created safer places for tara iti to nest on, protecting them from tidal inundation and sand blow.

“In the past we’ve had nests impacted by high winds, which means parent birds can’t find their eggs and king tides wash nests away,” she said.

”The new sites are placed in the rear of the dunes, providing more protection for chicks and their parents.'

The operation was funded by The Shorebirds Trust and supported by the Tara Iti Golf Club, NZDF, local iwi Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara, Te Uri o Hau and Ngāti Manuhiri.

Wiles acknowledged the contribution of The Shorebirds Trust and those who partnered with them to get the new shell nests created, and the ongoing work of the recovery group.

“Support for our most endangered bird by community groups and local hapu and iwi is essential for their survival,” she said.

Tara iti now have just four main nesting sites at Papakanui Spit, Pakiri Beach, Waipu and Mangawhai sandspits.

DoC employs seven summer rangers during the breeding season, and at least one ranger is assigned to each breeding site to monitor and protect Tara iti nests during the nesting season.

Eggs are transferred between nests to maximise the productivity of the breeding pairs of adult tara iti, with Auckland Zoo providing facilities to incubate the eggs.

Since the recovery programme began, the number of tara iti has risen from a low of just three recorded breeding pairs in 1984 to nine breeding pairs producing seven chicks in the last season.

Tara iti nest on beaches during summer between October and February, and create a nest by scraping a small hollow in the sand.

DoC fences off the four nesting areas and erects signs asking the public not to enter the sites.