NZ Dotterel At The Waiongana River Mouth

NZ Dotterel At The Waiongana River Mouth

On Friday morning I headed off to the Waiongana river mouth to check up on the NZ dotterels. These are wonderful little shore birds now only found in a few locations along the Taranaki coastline due to coastal development and human activity.  

The tide was out and it took me a while to spot were they were foraging amongst the rocks. Once I did spot them I carefully headed out slowly getting as close as I dared not wanting to disturb them. There was a group of 3 and after a few minutes they all started heading my way as they foraged along the foreshore. I ended up retreating several times trying to keep the light on the right side.

I spent close to two hours watching first the group of 3 and then another pair further along the coast who again seemed unfazed by my presence coning right up to within less than a meter of my position.

There were also a couple of pairs of variable oyster catcher, some swans with signets in the lagoon and a pair of caspian tern so it was a great mornings bird watching.

A New Zealand Dotterel (tuturiwhatu) in full breeding plumage.

This pair spent quite some time scavanging and squabling over some crab remains that I assume were left by a gull.

Variable Oyster Catcher - crossing swords

Pair of caspian terns with plenty to talk about.

A couple of half grown black swan signets.

8th Oct 2019 Alec Messenger

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