Fragile sprinters in the sand

Ōhiwa is one of the important nesting areas for the endangered New Zealand dotterel / tuturiwhatu. Fewer than 2500 are left nationwide of these delicate little shorebirds, making them more at risk than some species of kiwi. Smaller banded dotterels arrive at Ōhiwa in June and usually return south a few months later, but in recent years some have stayed to breed on Ōhiwa Beach. The sandy beaches on both spits of the Ōhiwa Harbour mouth are two of their vital nesting areas. 
 

Masters of camouflage

They are mostly pale-grey on the back, with off-white underparts which become flushed with rusty-orange in winter and spring. They have a prominent head, large dark-brown eyes and a strong black bill. Their camouflage colours make them difficult to see when standing still, but their habit of running quickly and pausing to feed makes them easy to identify. Their 'chip-chip' call is often heard before they are seen.
 

Nesting

Dotterel breed from September to February. They nest on the beach just above high tide and they make just a scrape in the sand that has no protection and is vulnerable to predators, vehicles, dogs and people trampling the nest. The eggs are so well camouflaged they are difficult to spot. So lots of effort goes into protecting their scratch-in-the sand nests during the breeding season.

 

New Zealand dotterels show amazing behaviour to protect their young. To draw a predator away, the parent pretends to be injured, leading the intruder further from the nest. If you see this behaviour, is important to move away from the area, being careful where to step, as the birds will not return to their nest until they feel undisturbed. If the nest is left unattended, the eggs get cold or overheat in the sun. In both cases the chick inside the egg will die.

 

Local volunteers with the support of Department of Conservation staff work throughout the breeding season to ensure a safe environment for dotterel. Volunteers monitor traps to control rats, weasels, stoats, ferrets, hedgehogs and wild cats. The nesting areas are taped off in the spring, please avoid these areas and keep dogs on a leash. 

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