Bird aversion training at various locations around the island on Sunday of Labour Weekend.

Bird Avoidance Training is taking place on Aotea this Labour Weekend on Sunday 27 October in Okiwi, Okupu, Medlands and Tryphena. Bird Avoidance Training can minimise the threat of dogs injuring or killing native birds. Like people, some dogs learn faster than
others…

You can teach an old dog new tricks – but it may take a little longer, so even if your
dog has had training before, we encourage you to put them through again this session.

Details: Sunday 27 October
9 – 10AM at Okiwi Airstrip
11.30-12.30PM at Okupu Beach
1-2PM at Medlands Campground
2.30-3.30pm at Sunken Rock Sailing Club, Puriri Bay

It’s nesting time!

With the arrival of Spring, shorebirds like our northern NZ dotterels, banded dotterels and
variable oystercatchers are starting to nest on our beaches. When nesting, our shorebird
populations are even more vulnerable to disturbance and predation.

As the weather warms up and as families and sometimes pets head off to the beach, now is
a good time to remember that dogs – even the smallest family poodle – can be a deadly
threat to birds. An exploratory grab can crush the fragile bones of a bird’s chest, even if the
dog is ‘retrieving’ rather than trying to kill. So, what can we do to protect our feathered
friends?

Stay below the hide-tide mark

A simple but also extremely important tip; Nests are often hard to see, and usually consist of
little more than a scrape in the sand. Keeping below the high-tide mark eliminates the risk of
trampling them or having your dog disturb or destroy them.

Stay outside fenced off and signed areas

You might find that some areas around our shores are fenced off. This fencing is to make
people aware that shorebirds are nesting within the area and to avoid any disturbance. This
is an easy way to play your part in protecting these birds.

Bird behaviour

Nesting parents often display signs of a ‘broken wing’ and attempt to lure you away from the
nest. This display is usually accompanied by loud alarm calls to get your attention, and some
species will dive-bomb intruders. It is best to retreat from the area until the birds stop
reacting, watching carefully where you step.