As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Friday 23 November 2012

Rare bird eggs found on beach


Two rare birds have laid eggs at Wairarapa's Riversdale Beach and a temporary fence has been built to protect them.

Two nationally endangered New Zealand dotterel (tuturiwhatu) laid three eggs on a precarious sandspit between the lagoon at Riversdale and the sea.

They were spotted at the beach last month and began attempting to incubate three eggs just north of the Riversdale Surf Club last week.

Greater Wellington Regional Council staff and residents have done all they can to protect the nest from vehicles and dogs, although little can be done about the elements.

Regional council biodiversity adviser Robyn Smith said the birds usually lay eggs in a small scrape in the sand on exposed beaches but many of them choose a safer spot than this pair.

"We've placed a temporary fence about 20 metres back from the nest and put up some signs to give the birds a bit of space from vehicles, people and dogs. However, there isn't much we can do about the lagoon or the sea. If there's heavy rain or heavy seas, the nest will probably get inundated," she said.


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