Thursday August 23, 2018

DOC and Defence Force protect NZ Fairy Tern

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) are working together to create safer nesting sites for the New Zealand fairy tern, one of the country’s rarest native birds.

The total population of NZ fairy tern or tara-iti is around 40 birds with just 11 to 12 breeding pairs.

Critically endangered NZ fairy terns nest at just four breeding sites in New Zealand. One of these sites is a Royal New Zealand Air Force weapons range at Papakanui Spit, at the Kaipara Harbour.

“Having NZ fairy terns nesting at a Defence Force site helps protect the birds when they are breeding,” says DOC ranger Alex Wilson.

“NZ Fairy terns nest on the sand and at public beaches their eggs and chicks are at risk of being disturbed by the public.”

“As a Defence Force site, Papakanui is a no-go area for the public. The Air Force provides further protection by avoiding weapon testing and staying well away from the spit during the NZ fairy tern nesting season.”

Now the Defence Force is doing the NZ fairy tern another favour by providing a Unimog and driver to move 12 tonnes of crushed oyster shell and sand to create areas that are safer for the birds to nest.

DOC staff will use the sand and shells to create two large mounds at Papakanui.

“These raised areas will hopefully help protect NZ fairy tern nests from big high tides and storms that flood the nests,” says Alex Wilson. “And provide protection from high winds, which cover the eggs with sand, and the parent birds can’t find them,” says Alex Wilson.

“Having the Unimog and driver will make building the nesting mounds a lot easier and quicker.”

“We appreciate the support the Defence Force provides DOC at Papakanui Spit to increase the NZ fairy tern population,” says Alex Wilson.

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