Endangered dotterels thrive by busy motorway
06 Nov 2007
An innovative solution to save an endangered bird during a major roading project in Auckland has had remarkable results.
A small population of New Zealand dotterels has tripled in size after the birds’ breeding site beside the Auckland motorway was protected and enhanced during the construction of the Northern Busway.
Large volumes of shell and sand were used to build up the shellbank habitats which sat on or near the motorway verge. Also, the height of the shellbank mounds was increased to above the high tide mark so the nesting sites wouldn’t be affected by rough weather.
As a result of the project, six chicks fledged last year, compared with just two the year before.
Predator control was also introduced to tackle threats from ferrets, rats, mice and opossums and where construction workers discovered nests, the eggs were transferred to the Auckland Zoo.
The unique project was developed by Fletcher Construction, Transit New Zealand and an environmental consultancy company Boffa Miskell, who advised how to best protect birds in the area.
Work on the Northern Busway began four years ago and involved major earthworks and structures.
Background
Dotterels are small shorebirds, usually found on sandy beaches and sandspits or feeding on tidal estuaries. The species is endemic to New Zealand and is currently endangered, with a population of less than 1500 birds remaining. The decline in numbers due to a combination of habitat loss, predation by introduced mammals and disturbance during breeding. The Department of Conservation developed a national recovery plan in 1993 to research and manage the species to bring about a population increase.
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