My Account
Shorebird advocate Michele MacKenzie, left, with Bec Swan and her Munchkin painting.
Snells Beach resident Bec Swan has rekindled her artistic talent in a bid to protect the area’s endangered birds.
To that end, she has painted a 40cm by 30cm watercolour of Munchkin – a dotterel chick that sadly failed to survive during the last breeding season.
Bec plans to auction the painting to fund the work of local shorebird advocate Michele MacKenzie.
Bec settled in Snells after sailing throughout much of the Pacific. She quickly became enraptured with the comings and goings of the region’s shorebirds
She also became aware that their coastal habitat is constantly under threat and dotterels, bar-tailed godwits and fairy terns need help if they are to remain part of a finely tuned ecosystem.
That interest sparked her enthusiasm for Michele’s efforts to protect dozens of species of shorebirds and waterfowl.
“If you want to enjoy the beach and everything it has to offer, you have to care about the birds,” Michele says. “They are our environmental cleaners and they help manage problems like the accidental arrival of the invasive marine pest, Mediterranean fanworm”
Michele’s work includes putting up protective barriers and informative signs, reporting birdlife data to conservation scientists and enthusiasts, and sharing her knowledge with schools and community groups. The work is unfunded, but racks up expenses as Michele travels to feeding and breeding sites throughout the area.
This year, it looks like three pairs of dotterels are attempting to nest at Snells Beach, up one on last year.
Last year, Michele was heartbroken when one of that pair’s chicks – Munchkin – died while leaning against her legs.
She believes the chick sought comfort from a trusted human during its last moments.
Munchkin took 39 days to hatch, which is the longest known incubation period of any dotterel egg.
Once hatched, Munchkin did not grow. Two other dotterel chicks survived.
Bec’s painting will be auctioned on Trade Me from November 4 to support Michele’s work. To make a bid, search the Trade Me art category for Dotterel chick Munchkin.
“I can’t change everything, but I can change my behaviour and supporting Michele’s work will take one straw off the birds’ backs to improve their chance of survival,” Bec says.
There is also a Givealittle page Saving Our Shore Birds to donate to the cause.
