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The pair of rare NZ dotterels that successfully raised two chicks last year have nested at the western end of Tindalls Bay, above the high tide line just before the coast goes round to Manly.
This is their third nesting attempt this year, and there is just one egg. Forest and Bird’s Jenny Hanwell says both birds are incubating and defending the egg so they are settled. Volunteers have installed signage and fencing.
The egg will be incubated for approximately 28-30 days, and as it was laid around November 26/26, it may result in a Christmas chick! The team looking after the nesting birds ask that people keep well away from the area, especially with dogs, and that dogs are kept on a lead if passing this area of beach.
If the birds are off the nest for too long due to disturbance it leaves the egg open to predation or overheating and they can be flushed off the nest by a dog from as far as 70 metres away. “If you get too close the birds will approach you and try to distract you from the egg, this is not them being friendly – they are warning you to keep away,” she says.
The other pair of resident Big Manly Dotterels are seen daily at Manly or Tindalls, but there is no sign of a nest yet. One of last year’s chicks has been seen at Wenderholm.
Join the Big Manly Dotterels Group on facebook for the latest news and to report sightings.
