Restrictions in place to protect rare bird

Access to a 1.7km section of beach on the Pencarrow Coast has been restricted temporarily to help protect the nesting site of a rare New Zealand bird.

The restriction was put in place today by Taranaki Whanui kaumatua on Pencarrow Coast Rd between the lighthouse and the eastern end of Lake Kohangapiripiri beach, where a small colony of banded dotterel are trying to breed above the high tide mark.

Wellington Regional Council environmental scientist Nikki McArthur says the colony is one of the largest of only a handful of coastal breeding colonies in the Wellington region, with about 20 pairs on the site.

"Unfortunately this population is under considerable pressure at the moment, with only 3 percent of nests successfully hatching chicks over the past two years."

Vehicle access along the 9km Pencarrow Coast Rd and walking access to and around the lighthouse is still possible, but the public have been asked to keep to the road and walking on the beach below the high tide mark.

Ms McArthur says dotterel nests are hard to spot and the restrictions will stay in place until February.

Read more:

http://www.3news.co.nz/Restrictions-in-place-to-protect-rare-bird/tabid/1160/articleID/315688/Default.aspx#ixzz2gsucBU5W

Experts discover rare birds breeding ground

Updated Monday, April 08 2013 at 00:00 GMT+3

By Philip Mwakio

The first known nesting site of one of the world’s rare birds has been discovered in Dakatcha woodland, Kilifi County.

According to Nature Kenya, the discovery marks an important contribution to science. Executive Director Paul Matiku said: “For many years, ornithologists (bird specialists) have been trying to unveil the nesting place of this rare bird Clarke Weaver (Ploceus golandi).’’

Information indicates that until March 23, the breeding ground of the endangered bird had remained unknown, puzzling conservationists and researchers all over the world.

The Clarke Weaver is a bird found only in Kilifi County in Kenya.

‘’This will be a boost to tourism as bird lovers will throng the site to see where these birds perch and thrive,’’ he said. The birds had been seen in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest south of Sabaki River and in Dakatcha Woodland north of the river.

They are usually in small flocks, feeding on insects and fruits in forests. Their nesting site, however, had never been found.

But a monitoring team from Nature Kenya and Dakatcha Woodland Conservation Group, a support group, made the discovery after spending years searching for the bird’s breeding ground. The team comprised of leading environmentalists Fleur Ng’weno, Peter Wario, Jonathan Mwachongo and Patrick Changawa.

Others included Julius Mwambire, Japhet Garama, Kazungu Thuva, Samuel Kenga and Samson Katisho.

The nesting site is at a seasonal wetland comprising of grasses and sedges surrounded by trees and bushes.  “While observing the weavers from the shade of low trees bordering the seasonal wetland, the team noted brownish shapes of nests. One male was seen weaving more sedge strips onto a nest,’’ Nature Kenya said.

The team estimated over 700 Clarke Weavers in the small wetlands.

Continued:  http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000081115&pageNo=2&story_title=Kenya-Lifestyle:%20Experts%20discover%20rare%20birds%20breeding%20ground

Vengurla Rocks: Nesting site of bird with edible nest may get protection

Vengurla Rocks, a marine bird breeding and nesting site in Sindhudurg district, is likely to be recognised as a protected conservation zone by the state. This will help stave off risk that birds at the site face from poachers. Vengurla Rocks has been listed as one of five locations in

India with potential to be listed as Important Bird Area (IBA), the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has told BirdLife International, a global alliance of conservation organisations working together for birds and people.

More than one lakh Indian Swiftlets or, the Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet, visit and breed at Vengurla Rocks – also known as the Burnt Island. Experts said eggs of the Indian Swiftlet are used to make nest soup in West Asia.

“These birds build their nests in caves and there have been cases when poachers were arrested for collecting the eggs by erecting bamboo scaffoldings. This site therefore needs to be protected,” said Raju Kasambe, head, IBA programme for BNHS.

The other potential IBAs in Indian waters include Pitti Island and Beleapani Reef in Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar and Point Calimere - Palk Strait in Tamil Nadu.
Declaring these sites as marine IBAs will ensure conservation efforts by the government. “Sea birds do not come on land, except during the breeding season. Protecting these islands is therefore important because it means protecting their nesting sites and thereby allowing them to multiply,” said Kasambe.

These potential Indian sites figure in the e-Atlas of Marine Important Bird Areas, which is the first global inventory of important sites for the conservation of marine species.

Read on:  http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Vengurla-Rocks-Nesting-site-of-bird-with-edible-nest-may-get-protection/Article1-946917.aspx