Harry and Sophie are about to become parents, with two eggs waiting to hatch on Mount Main Beach.

A section of the beach has been roped off by the Department of Conservation to protect the nesting grounds.

Western Bay Wildlife Trust's Julia Graham says it is important people respect the area and keep their distance.

A friendly dotterel checks out the eggs

'Everyone needs to remember why it is so important to have and respect the few dog free zones that exist in the area.

'Also please respect and keep your distance from the nesting birds."

Variable oystercatchers breed in monogamous pairs, and defend territories vigorously against neighbours. Nests are normally simple scrapes in the sand, often with a marker of driftwood, vegetation, or flotsam. The two or three eggs are usually laid from October onwards. Incubation is shared and takes about 28 days. Chicks fly at six to seven weeks old, and late chicks may not fledge until March.