Kaikōura‘s banded dotterel population faces a critical decline, with a local couple appealing for urgent council intervention to protect the endangered birds.
Ailsa McGilvary-Howard adn Ted Howard, who have dedicated over a decade to monitoring the dotterels on the Kaikōura coastline, presented their findings to a council workshop in March. Their voluntary efforts, including a self-funded study in 2016, highlight a concerning trend for the species in the region.
Kaikōura’s coastal areas, particularly South Bay between the Coastguard and the Caves, and the stretch between the West End shopping area and the New World supermarket, are identified as key nesting sites. McGilvary-Howard described Kaikōura as a “whirlpool” that attracts dotterels due to seemingly abundant resources, yet the birds face significant threats.
This past season, Howard reported that approximately 150 eggs were laid, with only about 40 hatching. Tragically, just one chick survived from this group. In South bay,four chicks managed to survive,but the overall adult bird population also suffered losses due to predator attacks.
The banded dotterel, a native shorebird, is found on braided rivers and coastlines throughout the South Island. However, the specific challenges faced in Kaikōura underscore the vulnerability of this species and the need for targeted conservation efforts.
This report is part of Local Democracy Reporting, a collaboration between RNZ and NZ on Air.
