Here in NZ we have lots of birds that are critically endangered. Some of them live here at Omaha Beach, a small seaside town about 40 minutes south of us. The town itself is quite elite with all sorts of rich and richer people not only living in opulent houses but lots of holiday places too. I would estimate most of the properties as being worth well over $800,000 NZD.
Anyway to get through this part of the beach we had to enter a cage like area with sliding doors that automatically shut. Although there are rocks separating the main beach from the sanctuary there is still a a fenced off section where the birds breed. I think this is a great idea as where we live we have similar endangered birds that breed and we don't have fences only taped off areas with small signs that sadly people tend to ignore this anyway.
You may be able to see the poles in this photo, these have string linking them together as this is where the birds are breeding and feed in the estuary at low tide.
On the main part of the beach these Oyster Catchers were standing in the sunshine. Their conservation state is listed as "recovering". They are usually black with an orange bill and reached low numbers until they were protected in 1922, since then their numbers have slowly grown. They can live up to about 30 years old.
If you can see this little guy he's a Dotteril, their status is listed as "endangered" but they are slowly recovering. A total of 2075 northern NZ ones were counted in the 2011 breeding census. Southern Dotterils reached a low of 62 birds in 1992 but they have responded well to management and the post population fluctuated between 240 and 290 birds from 2005 to 2013. Since then there has been another decline and in 2015 there were fewer than 200 birds.
These ones are Eastern bar tailed Godwits and they fly long distances breeding in Alaska then fly to NZ staying over Summer and feeding on the flats from September until March. They are also protected but they are classed as "declining".
Sadly most people care about conservation here but we still get those who just don't care. There is suppose to be no vehicles, horses, cats, dogs, ferrets, stoats, rats and mice but people still drive in places like this, ride their horses and take their dogs near the birds and their nests.
Linking up with Our World Tuesday and My Corner of the World.
17 comments:
They need all the help we can give them
Haven't been there for many years. It is good that it is fenced off.
I had an acquaintance who was the warden of a large conservation area in New Zealand and wrote a book on the Godwit. Their journey is truly amazing.
how nice! I miss that birding life. I live inland and after two summers of draught the birds go elswhere. It is empty in the lakes and forests where I live :(
It is sad that people do not heed the warnings and notices so I'm glad that conservationists have been pro active and fenced off the area.
Hello, it is sad when people do not follow the rules. The birds need help and protection. Love the birds and your photos. Have a happy day and week ahead.
Love the bird sanctuaries Amy, we have many areas here too. It's really annoying when some people just ignore the barriers, unfortunately not enough wardens to keep a stricter eye open.
It's wonderful that this area has been set aside for wildlife protection.
What an awesome idea! How wonderful that these birds are protected on the beach.
I'm glad the wildlife are being protected. It stinks when people don't follow the rules, a heavy fine might get their attention.
We need to protect wildlife as much as possible.
Thank you for this post! I was at Omaha beach 3 years ago and did not know about this! This is good news! Hoping all will appreciate it as you do! Have a wonderfufl week!
Amy, I'm an avid B irder in USA...and I really appreciate reading of the preserving of your endangered species. All the best of luck, and great success!!
I like seeing the birds on the beach.
Worth a Thousand Words
Lovely shots!
You got some great images there.
It's great to see your post on 'My Corner of the World' this week!
My Corner of the World
The fence is a great idea. As of course we have the same problems with some people here on our beaches. Lovely birds, thank you !
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