Love is a nest on Mount beach

Expectant parents Harry and Sophie. Photos: Cate Duff

It's a love story and it's unfolding very publicly on the main beach at Mount Maunganui.

A couple of devoted oystercatchers, because oystercatchers are very monogamist, have returned to the beach and are scouting for the perfect nesting site.

There's record of one pair using the same site for 20 years.

Nothing elaborate with the nest for 'Harry and Sophie”though, they just scoop out some sand, mark it with some seaweed or driftwood and lay their two or three speckled eggs. And the birds will enjoy spectacular uninterrupted ocean views.

The birds were spotted mating in September and are expected to produce their eggs any day. Incubation can last 24 to 39 days.

The chicks fledge at six to seven weeks, And mum and dad fiercely defend the chicks even after they start to fly.

All this will be played out on one of the busiest beaches in the country. But there's not too much stress because they have done it before.

The western bay Wildlife Trust is keeping a close watch on the oystercatchers and when they nest they will rush in and fence off the site for protection. Beach users are asked to be respectful to the parents in waiting – give them the space they demand.

But Mum and Dad oystercatcher will also provide an added defensive line. They don't enjoy breaches of their perimeter lines and will attack.

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1 comment

Here,s Hoping

Posted on 20-10-2016 17:19 | By Taffy

that ratbag who kicked that poor lamb doesn,t locate these birds .


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