The wellbeing of the dotterel population at Matakana Island is being threatened by the recklessness of beach patrons, according to the Department of Conservation.
DOC spokesperson Katrina Knill says they have received reports that people are walking through, sun-bathing, and relieving themselves in the dotterel nesting areas at the south-east end of Matakana Island.
'Between stormy seas and predators, the dotterel already have it rough.”



'It would be great if everyone can do their bit to help and keep out of dotterel nesting areas, especially when there are fences in signage in place”.
New Zealand dotterel are endemic sand nesting birds that are vulnerable to nest disturbance from people, their dogs, and vehicles that use the beaches that they nest on.
Dotterel are an endangered species that numbers around 1700 individuals nationally, according to DOC.
Katrina says that without the courtesy of the beach going public the security of the dotterel population is at serious risk.
The Department of Conservation and local community volunteers are working to increase dotterel numbers within the Tauranga area.
A protection programme including pest control and nest site protection has been undertaken on Matakana Island since 1992.
So far this season five stoats, three rats, one mouse, and 181 possums have been trapped and approximately 17 dotterel chicks have successfully fledged on Matakana.
A similar programme was launched at Maketu Spit this summer by community volunteers who have observed four dotterel chicks and trapped one cat, 11 hedgehogs and approximately 25 rats so far this season.