Cyclone Gabrielle's toll on endangered birds - only 8 fairy tern chicks survive

Thursday, 4 May 2023

The breeding season for the critically endangered tara iti/NZ fairy tern took a real blow this summer, with only eight chicks surviving.

Three wild chicks fledged, two of which were lost in Cyclone Gabrielle – but these chicks were bolstered by a further seven who were released from a captive rearing trial undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Auckland Zoo.

The estimated population of tara iti is estimated to be less than 40, with just 10 breeding females.

The birds have been teetering on the brink of extinction since the 1970s, according to DOC.

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A total of five chicks were hatched in the wild this summer, but only one survived the cyclone.

DOC Senior Ranger Alex Wilson said unlike other managed species in Aotearoa, it is not feasible to transfer the birds to predator-free islands as they require a very specific ecosystem to nest in.

The season did bring some big lessons through the captive rearing trials, he said.

“Many of the eggs intentionally collected for the captive-rearing trials this season likely would have been lost during the storms and extreme weather events, highlighting the future potential of intensive management like captive-rearing.”

A recovery plan for tara iti has been in place for the past few years. It focuses on managing vegetation, sand and shell at nesting sites to prove the quality of their habitats.

While they were once widespread around the North Island and parts of the South Island, there are now only five main nesting sites in the country.

To help tara iti and other shorebirds:

• Stay out of fenced areas and use designated walkways

• Avoid shorebird nests and chicks

• Keep dogs on leads

• Remove bait, fish and rubbish to deter predators

• Avoid driving on the beach

• If you are being chased, squawked at, or if a bird is on the ground pretending to be injured, you are too close to a nest.