iranda News M Journal Of the Miranda Naturalists’ Trust February 2013 Issue 87

Welcome home A Shore , extinct on mainland NZ for 140 years, has taken up residence at Miranda What other rare species live on the coast? Find out at the thousand-species bioblitz Why our chenier plain attracts global interest From

the

editor

Creating a better place for NZ’s wildlife The focus of this issue is on habitat and, in particular, on how to make the Miranda coastal strip a better place not just for our waders but also for the likes of Bittern and Banded Rail, native lizards and Cartoon / Héloïse Gauvin invertebrates, plants and fungi. It has all been sparked off by an offer for the trust to take over full The United Nations of birding management of the Findlay Reserve How did a young French woman who holds a Scottish degree where the hides are. That has opened up the possi- and speaks English with an Irish accent end up introducing bility of developing a land man- from Alaska to visitors to Miranda? Héloïse Gauvin explains agement plan which might cover When you look for work and are up not just the reserve but also the for a bit of travelling the Google search adjoining blocks owned by the bar quickly becomes one of your best Dalton family and the Department friends. This is how one evening in of Conservation. Already there are Galway, on the West coast of Ireland, visions of creating more ponds, a French graduate in Ecotourism perhaps with islands for Banded from Edinburgh’s Napier University, Rail, encouraging the growth of in Scotland, found out about the saltmarsh and replacing grasses and Miranda Shorebird Centre and became fennel with native vegetation. very excited about the possibility of And that, in turn, has led to working there. the idea of a bioblitz, an intensive Three months after applying for biological survey of the area, to find the long-term volunteer position, out exactly what species are living I was on a plane to , there right now. As Peter Maddison, and a few days later I was standing who came up with the idea, says: the in the south hide on Miranda shore more we know about what’s there at high tide in perfect evening light the better we’ll be at managing it. with Keith Woodley pointing out birders, sharing the telescope and using A bioblitz sounds like great fun, the features of a juvenile Bar-tailed a field guide and the little knowledge a chance to participate in catch- Godwit foraging only a few meters I’ve gained in the past few weeks to ing moths, sieving mud, netting away. This would be my office from make identifications . . . as well as waterways, searching vegetation November to February.Since then I’ve sharing a lot of jokes and life stories. and taking whatever you find to a been at the hide every day around high I’ve also been assisting Kristelle panel of experts to find out what tide, learning something new every Wi in her great work dealing with it is. All with the knowledge that time I’ve looked through the scope, school groups and predators (slightly in the process you’re helping make keeping records of species present, different methods apply) which have Miranda an even more special place their behaviour and distribution. both considerable importance for the for people to visit and for wildlife I’ve also been welcoming human future of the birds of Miranda. to live. Don’t miss out. visitors from all around the world, In the time I have left I hope to see Jim Eagles both curious travellers and keen you at the hides. Front cover: Shore Plover at Miranda. Photo / Ian Southey Back cover: Sharp-tailed and Curlew Sandpipers. Photos / Jim Eagles, Heloise Gauvin

2 MNT News | Issue 87 Black-billed gull chicks on the shellbank A dozen Black-billed Gull chicks have been fledged on the shellbank this summer, the first for a few years, which is encouraging news for what Keith Woodley describes in Sharing the Margins as “one of the most endangered gull species in the world”. Black-bills, whose stronghold is the southern , were reported in Miranda in 1968 and initially had little problem raising chicks. They arrived in the course of a dramatic expansion north, prompted by the transformation of forests into pastoral farmland, a habitat which suited their lifestyle. Unfortunately their decline, due to a combination of more intensive farming, rampant weed growth, extraction of water and gravel from Black-billed gull chicks Photo / Schmechf’s Photostream rivers, predation and pressure from humans has been equally dramatic. concludes, “Strange as it may seem, targeting this species, mean it is in OSNZ surveys at the major the current trajectory within the greater danger of extinction than the breeding colonies on the Waiau, population, and the lack of management kakapo.” Aparima, Mataura and Oreti rivers have recorded an 83 per cent decline Now in residence at Miranda in gull numbers between the 1970s and Joining the throngs of Bar-tailed the 1990s. As a result the gull’s status Godwit and Red Knot at Miranda with the International Conservation this summer are a good sprinkling Union has gone from “Least Concern” of other tundra-breeding birds like Arctic Migrants in 1994 to “Vulnerable” in 2000 and Pacific Golden Plover, Turnstones Bar-tailed Godwit 4500 “Endangered” in 2005. and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Black-tailed Godwit 1 Adding to the black-bills’ woes is The Marsh Sandpiper and Red Knot 1100 the fact that as mere gulls they are not two Curlew Sandpipers seen for Whimbrel 1 generally highly valued. There have much of last year still linger, while Turnstone 19 been regular reports of mass killings a Greater Sand Plover, relatively Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 1 1 of the gulls as a result of vehicles being rare at Miranda, turned up in late Marsh Sandpiper 1 driven through colonies, shooting December. sprees and vandalism. Another end of year arrival Pacific Golden Plover 42 Just before Christmas 51 chicks at caused much puzzlement before Curlew Sandpiper 2 the big Ashley River nesting site were being confirmed as a very scrawny Greater Sand Plover 1 stoned to death. The month before a Asiatic Black-tailed Godwit. four wheel drive was driven through The other notable sighting New Zealand Species the Ashburton River site squashing was a male NZ Shore Plover that eggs and nests. NZ Shore Plover 1 turned up before Christmas. Its Wrybill 1800 Even at Miranda they don’t always colour bands revealed it to be a NZ Dotterel get the sympathy they deserve. Just last young released on Motutapu. month a pair of eager photographers Out on the shell bank a small Banded Dotterel 16 ignored the signs and the outrage of the Black-billed Gull colony set up SI Pied Oystercatcher 1900 birds and walked down the shellbank shop with some White-fronted Variable Oystercatcher through the middle of the nests. Terns, Variable Oystercatchers and White-fronted Tern The success of the small colony NZ Dotterels, and produced a few Caspian Tern this year has presumably been assisted chicks. One of the oystercatcher Black-billed Gull by the success of the programme to pairs was also seen in mid-January Pied Stilt control four-legged predators. But caring for two chicks. Royal Spoonbill 7 other dangers remain. Keith saw one of The proud parents had to Banded Rail this season’s chicks taken by a harrier contend with an increasing press Bittern hawk and suspects others may have of birds jostling together for space gone the same way. on a shell bank much diminished His chapter on Black-Billed Gulls by king tides.

MNT News | Issue 87 3 BUILDING A VISION (clockwise from top): Keith Woodley shows MNT council members and expert advisers around the Findlay Reserve; checking out what lives in the ponds; a flower of the pretty little Sea Primrose (Samolus repens) is discovered in the salt meadow; Google Earth view of the Miranda coastline including the Department of Conservation land at Taramaire, the Dalton block, the MNT property on the landward side of the road and the Findlay Reserve.

4 MNT News | Issue 87 Exciting chance to rehabilitate the Miranda coastal strip MNT has been given an opportunity to take over the full management of the Findlay Reserve and develop a conservation plan for the whole coastal strip. Jim Eagles reports on developments

The coastal strip at Miranda which world (see article page 8) includes the Shorebird Centre’s hides *The salt marsh at the reserve is could be transformed over the next said to be the best in the Waikato. few years to provide a better roost for *The Findlay Reserve with its ponds the waders and encourage other native and shellbanks is the most important species including birds, plants, fish, roost for migratory shorebirds on the lizards and invertebrates to flourish. Firth of Thames. The catalyst for this development *The coastal strip is home not only is an offer from the Lane family for to waders but many other important the Miranda Naturalists’ Trust to species including lizards, land birds, take over the grazing lease of the 25ha plants and invertebrates. Findlay Reserve, where the hides are, *Simply removing the cattle will from midway through this year. probably only lead to an explosion of That has opened up the possibility exotic plants. of the reserve – and possibly the *Planting trees, which is often adjoining blocks owned by the the focal point of habitat restoration Dalton family and the Department projects, might in this case only serve of Conservation – being managed to to interrupt flight paths and sightlines maximise the conservation potential. and make the area less attractive as a Those who have visited the hides roost for waders. recently may have noticed that reduced Project leader Eila Lawson checks *The Stilt Ponds clearly play a grazing pressure and variations in the the plants in the Findlay reserve crucial role in the life of the waders but water level in the ponds have already led to significant changes including the demise of some encroaching A vision for a balanced habitat mangroves and sarcicornisa around the ponds and the expansion of several Eila Lawton, MNT council member low-lying native plants. I know Miranda is mostly about shorebirds, but I have always held on to the In addition the trust’s predator Miranda Naturalists’ Trust designation, and believed that birds do best in a control programme seems to have healthy and balanced environment. encouraged successful nesting by What has MNT done to look after the environment that ‘‘our’’ birds come bittern, banded rail, black-billed gull, back to each year? Little more than pulling weeds (and some native plants!) to white-fronted tern and NZ dotterel. keep the shellbank and the Stilt Ponds clear and working to minimise human What might the trust be able to disturbance. achieve as a result of a carefully co- I think it is really exciting that we are now exploring how we can improve the ordinated management plan for the habitat for the waders, resident birds, and other native wildlife in our place. whole coastal strip? Maybe we can manipulate water levels and allow the plants of the saltmarsh To try to answer that question and salt meadow to expand. I notice this year that there are quite beautiful council member Eila Lawton was spreads of Samolus (sea primrose) and Selliera (halfstar) where grazing pressure appointed to convene a meeting last has eased in low-lying areas that have been flooded by heavy rains over the November which brought together last couple of years. There’s a lovely patch of the fairly rare Mimulus (Maori representatives of the trust, DoC, the musk) where the Sarcocornia (glasswort) was drowned east of the Stilt Ponds. Queen Elizabeth II Trust, Environment That’s the right sort of low-growing stuff for the birds to feel safe in and good Waikato and several environmental places for native invertebrates. experts. Perhaps we could have more ponds, with good pohuehue-covered islets pro- The discussion saw a number of viding cover and food for banded rail and invertebrates sometimes competing points raised, What can we plant to create good habitat for the bittern that have actually including: bred on site this last year? Can we create areas of bare shell or stone for liz- *The chenier plain which runs from ards to bask in once more? If we had flax instead of fennel, could we tempt Miranda up to Whakatiwai is probably tui back? A grove of native trees for the spoonbill and the kotuku to roost in, the finest example of its type in the rather than the macrocarpa or whatever that tree is they use now?

MNT News | Issue 87 5 little is known about how they operate or what food sources they contain. *On-going sedimentation, erosion and land subsidence, plus movements in currents, weather patterns and sea levels, mean the coastal strip is constantly changing. But from all the divergent views Eila and trust chair Gillian Vaughan were able to craft an overall vision for what the trust should aim to achieve: To maintain and enhance the coastline habitat from Miranda to the Taramaire bird roosts. The Miranda Field Course provided a foretaste of BioBlitz action. To achieve that the trust should: a. Maintain safe roosting habitat around the high tide bird roosts on a long term basis, having due How many species live regard for the dynamic nature of this The Thousand Species Challenge - a bioblitz aimed at finding environment b. Maintain and enhance/extend what species share the coast with the migratory birds - is coming existing salt-marsh vegetation. up later this month c. In various appropriate areas between the Taramaire and Miranda roosts, establish or enhance a mosaic Miranda is world famous for its mi- the shellbanks, sampling the mud flats of habitats that will encourage wader gratory birds but what other exciting and fishing the seas for living things. breeding, banded rail and bittern species might live along that stretch As well as members of the trust the extension, lizards, invertebrates and of coastline? And how should the volunteers will include students from the re-introduction of fernbird and area best be managed to maximise its EcoQuest, pupils from local schools, any other appropriate native bird conservation value? Kaiaua Boating Club, local residents, species. To answer those questions the members of Forest & Bird and anyone As the next step towards making Miranda Naturalists’ Trust is planning else interested in conservation. that vision a reality Gillian Vaughan to hold a bioblitz - called the Thousand A team of experts will be on hand is approaching DoC, Environment Species Challenge - aimed at identi- with magnifying glasses and micro- Waikato and the Dalton family about fying every living thing in the strip of scopes to identify what is brought in. a formal agreement to co-operate in coastal land between the Taramaire Organiser Peter Maddison says he any land management plan for the and Miranda/Pukorokoro Streams. already has commitments to attend coastal strip between the Taramaire From 6am to midnight on Febru- from experts in bacteria and algae and Miranda/Pukorokoro Streams. ary 28, volunteers will be sieving the (including those in plankton), marine Immediate past-chair David Lawrie, soil, combing the vegetation, trapping life (from marine worms to shellfish a surveyor, is collating information insects, testing the streams, checking to fish), spiders, beetles, moths, plants on the contour of the reserve plus the ponds, netting the skies, searching and the and parasites that live Firth of Thames sedimentation, land subsidence and sea levels. Entomologist and conservationist What happens if we stop grazing Peter Maddison is organizing a bio- With the management of the Findlay of the Miranda Stream about halfway blitz from 6am to midnight on February Reserve being reviewed it is worth between the Limeworks and the outer 28, bringing together a range of experts recalling the result of a 28 year shell-bank. and plenty of keen volunteers in order experiment to exclude cattle grazing A post-and-wire fence was installed to identify just what species do live in from a part of the property. by David Walter, a farmer and serving the coastal strip. In 1984 the Miranda Naturalists’ Council member at the time, around a The trust is also seeking feedback Trust Council resolved to fence off a rectangular area of about 8m x 20m. from members, and any other plot of damp, open, grazed estuarine The fence was removed in 2012. interested parties, on the management wetland to see how the vegetation In 1984 the area had been plan. Please send your thoughts to: changed with cattle excluded. intensively stocked and the vegetation [email protected]. The chosen site was at the estuary very close-grazed.

6 MNT News | Issue 87 From far left: Identifying invertebrates; banding shorebirds birds; mist netting; mud sampling. on the Miranda coastal strip?

in or on them. but one which Peter reckons is achiev- really have no idea what we might find. That, he says, means the bioblitz able. A recent three-day bioblitz Forest That’s almost the point of doing it: to will be able to study: & Bird held on the Denniston Plateau find out what actually is there.” the biofilm, the thin layer of water that found 729 species of which 510 have Understanding the biodiversity of forms on the mud surface, and seems been identified. One in the Auckland an area is worthwhile of itself but in to be important for foraging wrybill; Botanic Gardens last year got 1251. this case there is the underlying aim of all the things in the mud that the By Peter’s rough figuring the coast providing a firm basis for developing a shorebirds eat; at Miranda could produce 250 plants, management plan. life on and among the mangroves; 50 birds, 300 insects, 20 algae (includ- “The list of species generated by whatever lives in the saltmarsh; ing seaweeds), 50 lichens, 50 fungi, the bioblitz will contribute towards animals and plants able to survive in 20 spiders, 50 mites, 50 bacteria, 30 our understanding of this important the harsh shellbank environment; mollusca, 10 marine/freshwater inver- wildlife site,” says Peter. “We will the inhabitants of Widgery Lake; tebrates (including earthworms, snails, learn more about the various compo- and all the insects and spiders. flatworms, mussels and cockles), 20 nents of the mudflats, shellbanks and As well as identifying species the fish (including eels), 10 mammals and streams which are the habitat of the experts will be giving regular short 3 reptiles/frogs. shore birds. talks, the specimens found will be put That’s a total of 913 but, as Peter “The survey may reveal unique as- on display and in the case of tiny crea- says, “That’s only a start point. If pects of the area that were not known tures shown on screens, and there will it’s a fine night we should be able to previously. As we gain valuable infor- be a chance to see fish trapping, mist boost the tally of insects by catching mation about the web of life in these netting and moth trapping in action. lots of moths. We may discover a lot areas it will enable us to improve our The “thousand species” is a target of parasites on the birds we catch. We management of the coastal area.” cattle on the reserve? As years passed, a thick sward of to woody vegetation either from introduced grasses gradually developed native or introduced shrubs. During inside the exclosure. However, the Miranda field courses in 1999 and grazing pressure outside the exclosure 2000 botanical examinations showed was relaxed anyway as farming that grasses and other introduced practices changed, so by 2012 the species had so proliferated within the plant-cover was only slightly thicker exclosure that rare herbs like native inside the exclosure than outside. musk (Mimulus repens) were actually The key point to emerge from doing better elsewhere — in grazed the exercise is that in more than areas! 25 years there was no progression Brian Gill Native musk at Miranda today

MNT News | Issue 87 7 Aerial photo of a segment of the youngest chenier 500m south of the shorebird centre in 1980. It has since attached itself completely to the coast and advanced southward by 1.5km. Photo / Bruce Hayward An internationally significant landform Bruce W Hayward, founder and principal scientist with consultants Geomarine Research, explains why the chenier plain at Miranda is so important

The Miranda chenier plain, which base approximately 2 m higher than that over time most workers will accept extends 15 km north and 2 km south the present day coastal beach ridge. A that the Miranda chenier plain depos- of the Shorebird Centre, is an inter- sequence of eight cheniers (numbered its provide perhaps the best record in nationally significant landform. It is 13 to 6) aged between 4000 and 1000 New Zealand of mid-late Holocene probably the best example anywhere years old extends seaward forming a 2 (last 5000 years) sea-level variation of a Holocene coastal strand plain km wide plain and the cheniers become in our part of the world. Dougherty accreted by a combination of gravel progressively lower. There has been and Dickson (2012), who used ground and shell cheniers (beach ridges) that considerable debate on how to inter- piercing radar to map the buried overlie intertidal mud. pret this. Schofield (1960), Dougherty contacts between the shell ridges and The gravel portion occurs in the and Dickson (2012) and Woodroffe et the underlying mud, contend that the north around Whakatiwai and is fed al. (1983) inferred that they recorded distance between the various cheniers by greywacke pebbles eroded from an actual sea level fall over this period may relate to the speed of sea-level fall the Hunua Ranges. These pebbles of about 2 m, 2 m or 0.8 m respective- at the time.There was a major change are moved southwards during coastal ly. Gibb (1986), Liefting (1988) and in the nature of shell ridge accretion storms and become more rounded, other workers have suggested that the about 1000 years ago switching from smaller and less common towards the difference in height can all be explained seaward advance to southward migra- south, where they are replaced by vast by slow tectonic uplift on the west side tion. All the younger shell cheniers are masses of shells, dominantly cockle. of the Hauraki Graben and differences roughly the same elevation and suggest The southern two thirds of the chenier in historic storm surge heights. In a that the change was due to a switch plain was created by the accretion of number of other places around New from falling sea level to one that has a sequence of shell cheniers over the Zealand and the Southwest Pacific been stable or in the last 150 or so last 4000 yrs. Jim Schofield’s 1960 sur- there is well-dated evidence for sea years has been rising rapidly. veys showed that the oldest and most level being 1.5-2 m above present level The Shorebird Centre is built on the landward shell ridge has its crest and around 3,000-4000 years ago. I believe shell chenier numbered 5 by Schofield.

8 MNT News | Issue 87 Although it has not been directly dat- ed, its age is inferred to be somewhere between 500 and 1000 years. Seaward and to the south of the centre are five more major cheniers (shell ridges) with splays and numerous overbank feath- erings all of which have accumulated since chenier 5. The land area seaward of the road has all accreted within the last 500 years and since the Miranda Naturalists Trust was formed a whole new chenier has been added across the seaward front of this section of coast. I have numbered it 0 on the accompa- nying map as it was not numbered by Schofield in 1960 as it did not exist at that time. This youngest shell spit’s growth and migration has been document- ed in a series of air photos since it first appeared as an arcuate offshore shell bank located just off from the shorebird centre in a 1969 photo. It migrated shorewards with the north end attaching to the existing shell beach by 1977. The shell ridge then straightened out parallel to and about 150 m seaward of the coast by 1988 Map showing the shell chenier ridges mapped and numbered by and since then the accumulating shells Schofield (1960) forming the southern half of the Miranda Chenier have advanced the southern tip of the chenier another 1 km south almost Plain. Cheniers 13 to 6 accreted onto the seaward edge of the plain to the mouth of the Miranda Stream. between 4000 and 1000 years ago during a period of overall sea- Over the same period the chenier has level fall of perhaps 1.5-2m. The subsequent cheniers (1-5) have advanced shoreward by another 30-60 all advanced southward in the last 1000 years during an interval of m. In the past 30 years the tip of the relatively stable and more recently rising sea level. The youngest shell spit has migrated an average 50 chenier (0) has accreted since the formation of the centre. m southwards per year. It has been suggested that new ally oriented at an angle to the shore- migration as waves no longer wash cheniers at Miranda are initiated by line and perpendicular to the inferred over it moving the shells with them. northeasterly, possibly subtropical, northeast winds and waves that move Once the new chenier becomes at- storms with sufficiently large waves it. When the northwestern end reaches tached, the gap between it and the old to winnow away vast quantities of the existing shoreline it tends to anchor beach ridge becomes a quiet backwater intertidal mud in suspension and con- the shell barrier and the remainder of that accumulates mud. The mud builds centrate the remaining sand and shell the bar straightens out parallel to the up, mangroves and salt marsh become into an offshore arcuate bar. In later shore and over time its southern end established and their roots help accu- storms, waves progressively add more advances down the coast. mulate further sediment eventually to shells to the bar and drive it shoreward. For the majority of the time the supratidal elevations creating addition- Coincidentally, the first appearance of shell beach ridge is stable, but in storms al dry land. Sometimes, as is the case the offshore bar that developed into further shells are brought ashore and with the modern chenier, the elongate the modern chenier at Miranda was high tide storm waves may wash over shore-parallel gap between the new in a 1969 airphoto not many months the crest of the chenier producing a and previous shell ridges becomes the after one of the largest storms in the feathering effect with arcuate lobes channel for a small tidal stream that last century, Cyclone Giselle, passed of displaced shells. Over time, storm may assist in preventing the youngest over the Firth of Thames in April 1968 waves throw shells up onto the crest of chenier advancing further landward. (Wahine Storm). the youngest chenier and this tends to Thus the strip of land seaward At Miranda the offshore bar is usu- stabilise it and stop further landward of the road from the shorebird centre

MNT News | Issue 87 9 southward is a complex of young shell cheniers and their feathery washover lobes separated by lower elevation areas of accumulated salt marsh mud. Nearer the coast these low areas still support salt marsh and salt meadow communities that are periodically inundated by spring high tides. Closer to the road some of these elongate depressions become shallow ponds after heavy rain and exceptionally high tides. In the southern area some of the original cheniers and salt marsh flats have been modified by quarrying by the former Miranda Limeworks operations (1930s-1950s). The future of this part of the Mi- Gary and Adrienne Dalton with some of the awards won by their Te randa chenier plain is hard to predict Whangai Trust. as sea level is currently rising faster than it has at any time in the last 5000 years when the present strand plain Trust’s neighbours win began to accrete. Undoubtedly this rise is already causing erosion of the shore to the north around Kaiaua. At the national acclaim moment the supply of sand and shell Neighbours, Gary and Adrienne Dalton, have won a national award to this southern end of the Miranda for the work done by their Te Whangai Trust. Now they’re keen chenier plain is outstripping the inev- to co-operate with MNT to improve the coastal habitat itable erosive effects of sea level rise. For how long this will last we do not know. Will the mud coming down the Hauraki Plains’ rivers help offset the oncoming erosive phase? Only time Gary and Adrienne Dalton reckon their own businesses. will tell. their Te Whangai Trust and the Mi- “We’ve also had 3000 people sent randa Naturalists’ Trust have a lot in to us to do their court sentences of common. And they would like to see community service work and it’s al- References the two working more closely together. lowed a lot of them to turn their lives Dougherty, A.J., Dickson, M.E. 2012. Sea level Both are trusts that strive to im- around. Quite a few ask for jobs here and storm control on the evolution of a chenier plain, Firth of Thames, New Zealand. Marine prove the local environment but when they finish their sentences.” Geology 307–310: 58–72. whereas MNT’s emphasis is on the The scheme has also been hugely Gibb, J. 1986. A New Zealand regional Holo- shorebirds Te Whangai’s focus is on at beneficial to the environment because cene eustatic sea-level curve and its application to determination of vertical tectonic movement. risk people in the community. the nursery specialises in raising native Royal Society of New Zealand Bulletin 24: Six years ago the couple started plants from local seeds – 100 varieties 377–395. a nursery on the Dalton family farm and 100,000 plans a year – for large- Liefting, H.C.C. 1988. Development of the Kaiaua-Miranda Chenier plain. Unpublished – which includes the block of land scale revegetation projects. master’s dissertation, University of Waikato. between the Findlay Reserve and the “We specialise in mitigation plant- Naish, T.R. 1990. Late Holocene mud sedimen- DoC land at Access Bay – and began ing, especially for government and tation and diagenesis in the Firth of Thames: bentonites in the making. Unpublished master’s using it to teach good work habits and council jobs,” says the trust’s develop- dissertation, University of Waikato. staying drug-free, how to propagate ment manager John Walter, “and be- Schofield, J.C. 1960. Sealevel fluctuations during native plants and revegetate land- cause of the expertise we’ve developed, the last 4000 years as recorded by a Chenier plain, Firth of Thames, New Zealand. scapes, and how to manage staff and the use of locally sourced seed and the New Zealand Journal of Geology and run a business. fact that we can usually produce plants Geophysics 3: 467–485. “Since then,” says Adrienne proud- cheaper we’ve been able to do a better Woodroffe, C.D., Curtis, R.J., McLean, R.F. 1983. Development of a Chenier plain, Firth ly, “we’ve had 320 go through our job for less money.” of Thames, New Zealand. Marine Geology scheme and we’ve placed 282 of them The Daltons originally funded the 53: 1–22. into work. Several have even started nursery by taking out a mortgage on

10 MNT News | Issue 87 Te Whangai Trust development manager John Walter watches trainess move another consignment of native plants from the shadehouses into the outdoor nursery.

the farm and the trust has certainly “That’s been pretty exciting,” says ing their property as well as the Findlay had its financial ups and downs over John. “It means a huge expansion. Reserve and DoC land. And they’d like the years mainly due to changes in We’ve produced 40,000 plants there to be involved in any management government funding policies. already and it’ll be able to produce plan for the whole coastal strip. “But,” says Gary, “we’re gradually 140,000 a year. That’s meant a lot of “We’ve got the expertise to help getting ourselves on to a firmer footing. challenges but it also opens some some with any revegetation work,” says We now get 60 per cent of our income fantastic opportunities.” Gary. “And if we could get our guys through sales. Our target is to get 70 The Daltons are also keen to working alongside the Shorebird Cen- per cent so we’ll be less dependent on explore opportunities to work more tre’s volunteers on some environmental what the government does.” closely with MNT. projects it would be great for them. Initially, the Daltons say, their ideas “We’ve always supported the “It would give them a chance to met with a bit of scepticism. But the work of the Shorebird Centre,” says mix with the sort of people they’d trust’s high success rate is now starting Adrienne. “We’ve been happy for the never ordinarily meet. Just meeting to earn plaudits. Visit its tiny office path from the centre to the hides to run someone like you,” he adds, pointing and you find the walls covered with through our land. And we think the at me, “would be a good experience. certificates and trophies. time is now right for us to get together It’d be win-win.” The most recent of those is the pres- on some other projects.” To find out more about Te Whan- tigious Social Innovation Award which They are, for instance, enthusiastic gai Trust or to buy native plants from they collected at the NZI National about the forthcoming bioblitz includ- them see www.tewhangai.org Sustainable Business Awards. “The awards have been good for Tamaki Pompey, from Mangatangi Marae, gives a trainee’s us,” says Gary. “We enter them be- perspective on the Te Whangai Trust cause they give us something to mea- sure ourselves by and they provide an My experience at Te Whangai Trust native tree nursery in Miranda has been incentive to upskill what we do. Plus, positive and keeps me enthusiastic each day. of course, they give us greater credibil- Within my short time attending the award-winning, non-profit establishment, ity in the wider community.” I have witnessed five people gain employment. One of those awards which was Thanks to Adrienne and Gary and the team who support those who attend sponsored by NZ Steel – Adrienne presently and in the past. was named as Outstanding Person in I can honestly say to anyone who enquires about Te Whangai that they will the Franklin District – even acted as a not be disappointed and like myself will gain friends for life who come from catalyst for the trust getting support to different backgrounds and share with you a common goal: to participate in establish a second nursery adjacent to the community and gain employment. With that in mind you’ll have nothing the steel works at Glenbrook. to lose.

MNT News | Issue 87 11 g DWIT Gidday. t’s Godfrey, the godwit, here again. Every issue we will be finding out about one of the birds that spends time on the NZ coast. This week I would like to introduce you to my friend, Natalie Knot. You can see two pictures of Natalie and me (and some of our friends) at Miranda at the Natalie bottom of the page. is one of the Lesser Knots (as they are called in most NZ bird books) or Red Knots (as the rest of the world seems to call them) who are the second most common migrants to NZ. It can be hard to tell us apart if you are looking from far aw though actually we are quite diff One difference is that I have got lo legs while Natalie’s are short and Perhaps you could colour our legs the pictures. What other differences can you between Natalie and me?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Find 10 differences between the two pictures of Godfrey and Natalie. Answers can be found on page 22

12 MNT News | Issue 87 T TIMES WORDFIND

Can you find these words in the table below? Miranda Godwit Whimbrel Dotterel Plover Shorebird Snail Heron Alaska Rail Flyways Bittern Rudy Turnstone Tern Knot Stilt Oystercatcher

t away different. If you lightly colour in all of the words in the long black wordfind table the name of the bird for next time nd green. will be left behind? legs in on

you see e? Liam of Tauranga WIN A sent me this joke…. BOOK Why do Knots fly north The nice people in the winter? at the Shorebird e. Because it would be Centre bookshop have too far to walk? Ha, ha, ha! I like provided a copy of Janet it, Liam. Hunt’s delightful book “E3 Call Home” - which happens to be about a godwit - to give away. If you’d like to go into a draw for the book just email something about yourself Seriously - a photo, a joke, your though, Knots and favourite shorebird - to Godwits come to NZ when it is [email protected] winter in the Arctic because there isn’t much food around with all the snow Hope to hear from and ice. They fly back north when winter you is coming to NZ and it is spring in the Arctic to lay eggs and raise chicks. It’s a long way whether you walk or fly!

MNT News | Issue 87 13 From the chair More visitors, new information boards, boardwalks and our first bioblitz Council chair Gillian Vaughan reports on a successful field course, the latest news on the Flyway, great birding guides, new signs, the bioblitz . . . and the chance to wallow in the mud

The upcoming bioblitz on February bringing their own knowledge and 28 will be a big step forward for our skill with them and adding to what detailed knowledge of the Miranda we as the tutors could provide. ecosystem. My thanks to all of the volunteers Bioblitz is a way of ensuring that who helped make the course work, you look not only at the well known Brigid as course organiser led a really and visible parts of an ecosystem, but good team. the smaller, less charismatic parts: the We will be having some personnel biofilm, the mosses, algae, lichens, changes next year, and it will be sad nematodes as well as the birds, to see the course without Eila Lawton the plants and those well known for the first time in many years. Eila charismatic animals in the mud! your dedication to the field course I encourage members to attend, be over a dozen years has been an involved on the day and bring their inspiration. friends. I would also like to take this CENTRE AND LIMEWORKS opportunity to thank Peter Maddison Pleasingly, for most of the year the and Eila Lawton for their efforts in number of people visiting the Centre pulling this programme together. attended this course back in 2000 and increased, though from October nothing like this has happened at it was a major step in my involvement to December visitor numbers were Miranda before and without their in the Trust. slightly down. wide range of contacts and their In between helping with wader This will be partially related to organisational efforts I am not sure identification sessions I took the increased visitors in 2011 for the that it would have. opportunity to sit in on some of rugby world cup, and appears not to the talks, the change in our level of be confined solely to us, but is a trend FIELD COURSE knowledge since I took the course is reported from other environmental In early January I was lucky enough phenomenal. attractions in the area. We are hoping to be able to attend the whole of The group of “students” we had that January will see a turnaround of Miranda’s yearly field course. I were a great group to work with, each the trend.

Plenty of birdwatchers at the Limeworks.

14 MNT News | Issue 87 More and more people are visiting the shoreline every year and controlling people around the birds has become a growing issue. We have been lucky this summer to have Kristelle spending much of her time down at the hide showing people the birds, ably joined by Heloise Gauvin, who has spent her summer volunteering for us. The number of people visiting the area now does mean that there are less opportunities for the “up-close- and-personal experience” that may have been more common in the past. Kris and Heloise have commented to me that this summer if a few people go out to the bird roost on the outer shellbank to take pictures then other visitors will want to follow, and the level of disturbance can be quite high. We generally need to ask people to stay off the outer shellbanks. If you have a specific project and want to get onto the shellbanks please talk to Keith Woodley and arrange your time so that you are there when the least number of visitors are present.

In order to improve the experience for visitors Keith has been working on signs, both for the trail and the hide. I would expect that in the next month The path to the new hide is washed away. Photo / Gillian Vaughan the first of these will be in the hide, and over the next 6 months all of the Centre over the summer and I am sure COASTAL ENHANCEMENT trail signs will be in place. members will join me in wishing her The idea of holding a Bioblitz at well with her next steps. Miranda was raised at a meeting in On the last day of the field course November that looked at the concept the large tide managed to wash away SIBSON AWARD of a habitat enhancement programme. again the path to the new hide. It At the council meeting in November The draft vision came out of this was spectacular to watch, as the tide the Trust council agreed that, as no meeting is: came over the top at the same time as distributions had been made from the To maintain and enhance the a heavy downpour of rain. Council Sibson Award for two years that we coastline habitat from the Miranda has committed to investigating the would put $2,000 towards helping to the Taramaire bird roosts. options for boardwalks, with the aim cover the on-ground costs of shorebird a. Maintain safe roosting habitat to get something in place in April. work in the Gulf of Carpentaria. around the high tide bird roosts The path is still passable, but it is now We can expect to hear more about on a long term basis, having due somewhat rough. this work from Adrian Riegen in the regard for the dynamic nature future, however in general a team of of this environment b. Maintain Members who visit the centre on a Australians and New Zealanders will and enhance/extend existing salt- regular basis are likely to have met be aiming to census shorebirds in the marsh vegetation.c. In various Heloise Gauvin over the summer, Gulf in late March and early April. appropriate areas between the she has spent much of her summer We will be particularly interested Taramaire and Miranda roosts, near the hide, showing people birds. in any Red Knot sightings that the establish or enhance a mosaic of Heloise will be leaving for further team comes up with. The trip sounds habitats that will encourage wader adventures near the end of January, challenging and I wish the team all breeding, banded rail and bittern she has been a pleasure to have at the the best with it. extension, lizards, invertebrates

MNT News | Issue 87 15 A delegation of North Korean schoolteachers visits the Miranda Shorebird Centre. Photo / David Lawrie

and the re-introduction of fernbird organisations such as Birdlife are November. and any other appropriate native becoming more involved in Flyway bird species. issues in China. PERSONAL NEWS It will be important that the habitats We hope that the interest being It is with sadness that I advise members that exist now are recognised, and the shown in the Yellow Sea will lead of the recent death of Nanette bioblitz will be important in allowing to further conservation of mudflats McLauchlan. us to achieve that. The next steps on around the whole of the Yellow Nanette was a member of the this project will be to map out this Sea coast. MNT members will be Miranda Naturalists’ Trust Council existing landscape, thus allowing us aware by now that work in this from 1998-2006, and was very to determine how and where we can area can take a lot of time and welcoming to me when I joined the make changes. patience before results can be seen. Trust. When I took on the role of One of the pleasing aspects so far newsletter editor Nanette was co- has been the opportunity to reconnect The trust is looking at returning ordinating its distribution, and she did with people involved in our wider to Yalujiang in 2013, and Adrian everything she could to help me into region, from Waikato Regional Riegen is currently trying to organise the role. On council she was focused on Council, DoC and QEII Trust. While dates that will work for all involved, the education side of the Trust, doing still in the planning phases this is including the birds and the tides! her best to help people understand the promising to be an exciting project. At the same time we continue importance of birds and the natural to look for funding to visit North environment. FROM THE FLYWAY Korea. This is proving harder than Although unable to attend events There is ongoing news from the originally thought, but David Lawrie at the Centre for several years before Flyway Partnership, with the Yukon is persevering, so while it appears her death Nanette will be missed by Delta Wildlife Refuge becoming the unlikely that a team will visit North many members of the Trust, and I am first site from the USA to join the site Korea this year it is not off the agenda. sure that all members will join me in network, in addition Malaysia has A group of teachers from North offering condolences to her family and joined the partnership. In addition Korea did visit the centre in late friends. DoC gets more reserve Shorebirds on the worldwide web land at Miranda The Miranda Naturalists’ Trust continues to fly around the worldwide The Government has bought 5.6ha of of the remaining chenier plain. web. Its latest migration is to a website land at Miranda to protect the coast’s As well as chenier ridges, the site hosted by Britain’s Wildfowl and world-class example of a chenier plain contains wetlands with a healthy Wetlands Trust. and preserve an important area of population of the threatened New This now carries a profile of the habitat. Zealand musk (Mimulus repens). trust and its contact details. See http:// The Nature Heritage Fund It also serves as habitat for native wli.wwt.org.uk/2012/11/members/ purchased the land for $250,000 and species such as grey duck, South miranda-shorebird-centre/ it will be managed by the Department Island Pied Oystercatchers, Grey-faced Coming up is a delightful little film of Conservation as a scenic reserve. Heron, and Pied Stilt. about Shorebird Centre, starring Keith As part of the deal the landowner, The area is on the landward side of Woodley, to be shown on the Wetland local farmer Rob McCartie, who also East Coast Rd, on the southern corner International website. runs the Rangipo Museum, has agreed of Rangipo Rd, near the existing At the time of writing it is not on to enter into a covenant over a further Taramaire reserve about 4km north of the actual website but can be viewed at 14.5ha of his land which contains more the Miranda Shorebird Centre. wli.wwt.org.uk/toolkit/movies/

16 MNT News | Issue 87 Records of change on the Miranda coast Former MNT Council chair and longtime newsletter editor Stuart Chambers looks through birdwatching records of yesteryear and records how the coastline and bird numbers have changes

Miranda Naturalists’ Trust newsletters go back to 1974 and I still have them all. A few years ago I had these ancient papers bound into two rather grand volumes that sit on my book shelf and look quite important. Every now and then I dig into them and explore their rich seam of early Miranda history. The contents show how the coastline and its bird numbers have changed. For example, back in 1975 R B Sibson and H R McKenzie, the two great lovers of the Miranda coastline, suggested that Turnstone numbers were increasing so rapidly that one day they would be the third largest of the Pied Stilt – on 28 October 1949 Pied Oystercatcher – 435 at Kaiaua summer migrants. Through the records one nest was found on the shoreline Variable Oystercatcher – 3 at Kaiaua we now know this hasn’t happened. In near Kaiaua. On May 26 1951 among Eastern Curlew – 2 at Wrybill Reach fact Turnstones are rather scarce on the the Pied Stilts was one Black Stilt. On Red-necked Stint – 4 at Wrybill Reach coast these days. 8 August 1953 there were 1000 Pied Turnstone – 7 at Wrybill Reach In 1975, so the newsletter record- Stilts on paddocks near the Lime- Capsian Tern – Taramaire 37, Lime- ed, summer counts of birds showed: works. I also noted a partial Black works 9, Wrybill Reach 5 NZ Dotterel 9, Banded Dotterel 100, Stilt on July 5 1953 at Eastern Beach White-fronted Tern – Taramaire 37, Wrybill 3500, Golden Plover 0 (but on way to Miranda. Limeworks 9, Wrybill Reach 100 240 in 1976), Turnstone 220, Lesser Wrybill – on 12 November 1949 Black-billed Gull – 350 at Limeworks Knot 7277, Curlew Sandpiper 10, there were 28 at Miranda, on 26 May Black Shag – 3 at Limeworks, 3 at Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 26, Red-necked 1951 there were 1500 and on 8 August Wrybill Reach Stint 9, Eastern Curlew 15, Bar-tailed 1952 there were 1200. Pied Shag – 5 at Limeworks Godwit 5672. Banded Dotterel – on 12 November Gannet 2 – at Taramaire Others included Terek Sandpiper 1949 two nests were found in weed Black Swan – 2 at Limeworks 1, Grey-tailed Tattler 1, Pectoral on the beach near Taramaire. On 8 The changes are obvious. I do Sandpiper 1, Asiatic Whimbrel 1 and August1952 only one pair was seen. not know of any records of Banded American Whimbrel 2, Little Tern 20. Bar-tailed Godwit – on 12 Novem- Dotterel nesting on the Miranda coast As that demonstrates Miranda bird ber 1949 two small flocks were seen since the 1960s. Black Stilt have not life in the 70s was impressive. As Sib- near the Limeworks. On 10 May 1951 been seen for some years. son said at the time, it was a “golden a flock of 10 was seen and a Whimbrel Banded Dotterel now appear in far age” for bird-watching at Miranda. was with them. greater numbers in winter as do Pied Jumping ahead to the blackboard Pied Oystercatcher – two seen Oystercatchers. The overall numbers numbers in Miranda News 84 and we on 12 November 1949 and on 26 of the “golden age” of the seventies get a somewhat different picture: NZ May1951 60 were seen. They were have not been repeated. Dotterel 0, Banded Dotterel 0, Wrybill not such a common bird in those days. What is also apparent from those 1500, Golden Plover14, Turnstone 16, To further add to our picture of early records is the movements of birds Lesser Knot 3800, Curlew Sandpiper 1, bird numbers 60 years ago here are along the coast from, for example, the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 7, Red-necked census figures for 2 July 1953 for the high tide roost at Wrybill Reach to the Stint 1, Eastern Curlew 0, Bar-tailed Miranda area: Limeworks. Today Wrybill Reach is Godwit 4900, Royal Spoonbill 3. Bar-tailed Godwit – Taramaire 30, covered in mangroves. It’s easy to see the changes. Godwit Limeworks 425, Wrybill Reach (on Once again, it’s a reminder of how numbers are down and there are half as the coast 2.5 kms south of the Miranda things have changed, often in ways we many knots. Royal Spoonbills have ar- Hot Pools) 700 don’t necessarily register at the time. It rived. Spur-winged are now so Knot – 400 at Wrybill Reach all underlines, for me, the importance obvious that they are seldom counted. Pied Stilt – Kaiaua 26, Taramaire 63, of saving trust newsletters and keeping As my personal bird records of the Limeworks 51, Wrybill Reach 56 regular notes of sightings. Then 50 Miranda coast go back to 1949 I de- Wrybill – 950 at Wrybill Reach years on you’ll be able to look back cided to dip into these and seek further Banded Dotterel – 1 at Kaiaua and enjoy a peaceful reminisce about comparisons. What I found was: NZ Dotterel – 5 at Kaiaua the good old days.

MNT News | Issue 87 17 The fall and rise of the Shore Plover Shore Plover were once found in much of coastal New Zealand. The arrival of humans and their rats saw them retreat to a tiny island in the Chathams. Now these colourful birds are making a modest comeback. Keith Woodley tells their story

The annual Miranda Field Course has on open ground on the edge of the Stilt entirely clear, although Forster also attracted its fair share of special guests Ponds. It actively foraged along the collected it at Queen Charlotte Sound over the years. In 2012 the wader edges of the channel that bends away in May, indicating at least a wide watch session on the first evening in front of the hide, or on the inner flats dispersal in the South Island. turned up excellent views of a Little nearer the new hide, where it could be While it was widely reported in Whimbrel. Everyone had a good look seen alongside godwits and knots. the North Island – with records into at this rare visitor, tinged with gold So where did this bird come from? the late nineteenth century from the by the low sunlight, as it stood among Before answering this, let us trace the Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier Island godwits in front of the new hide; which history of the New Zealand Shore and Coromandel Peninsula, as well is just as well for there were no further Plover. as Wellington Harbour, many of sightings of the bird that year. Johann Forster collected specimens these have since been questioned. For The 2008 course turned up the in Dusky Sound in April 1773 during instance based partly on reports from first sighting of E7 at Miranda since Cook’s second voyage. For German his brother-in-law Gilbert Mair, Walter that famous female godwit had been naturalist and taxonomist Johan Buller reported it to be ‘‘comparatively fitted with her satellite tag the previous Friedrich Gmelin describing a specimen plentiful in flocks near the mouth of February. On an earlier course the in 1789, it was clearly a plover so he Piako River, Manukau Harbour and unusual guest was a male Ruff on the placed it in the family the sandspits of Tauranga.’’ Stilt Ponds, a considerable distance - with the name novae However Dick Sibson expressed from its main non-breeding grounds Seelandiae. Yet while it bore many considerable doubt about these from Africa to India. similarities with other plovers, there records, especially as they did not Field Course 2013 maintained this were a number of features marking it mention other birds likely to have been fine tradition through the presence of as more unusual. present at the same time, such as Red another rarity, not as well travelled Indeed two features – the long thin Knots and Turnstones. Particularly in as a Little Whimbrel or a Ruff, but bill and pointed tail – were sufficiently regard to the latter, Charles Fleming’s perhaps even more special given its different to other New Zealand plovers observation on South East Island in tiny population - a New Zealand Shore (such as New Zealand Dotterel and 1937 seems pertinent: ‘‘On the wing Plover. Banded Dotterel) for later taxonomists the Shore Plover is reminiscent of the A broad white band circles the top to place it in its own genus . In Turnstone, the wing pattern, glistening of this male’s head, on top of which contemporary it now shares white breast, dark collar, orange legs sits a neat little brown cap. Below the this genus with Thinornis rubricollis, and general manner of flight being band, the face, throat and forehead the Hooded Plover of Australia. remarkably similar.’’ are black which makes the vivid red- However its squatter proportions, But whether or not Shore Plover orange eye-ring and bill, the latter red eye-rims, loudly vocal behaviour, were common in the North Island, tipped with black, all the more striking. feeding method and the fact that it by the mid nineteenth century most The back of the bird is the same brown remains in pairs after breeding are records were from the southern regions. tone as the cap, while the underparts similarities also shared with Black- Its decline is not well documented, are pure white, and the legs and feet fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops. though Otago collector Percy Earl orange. Yet there is one further feature - its considered it to be rare by 1845 This smart little bundle was often habit of nesting under-cover – that and the last mainland records come to be found roosting beside a tiny makes Shore Plover unlike any other from the 1870s. ‘‘So complete and patch of sarcocornia on the shell bank member of the Charadriidae. so early was this extinction,’’ wrote immediately in front of the old hide, or The original distribution is not Fleming, ‘‘that it is difficult, if indeed

18 MNT News | Issue 87 From far left: Adult Shore Plover on in the Chathams; juvenile which stayed briefly at Pakiri; juvenile and adult at Plimmerton. Photos / Ian Southey

not impossible, to locate, in New considerable period meaning increased shorebirds in the world. One tiny Zealand collections, specimens from exposure to predation. Nesting in population – a 1993 study indicated it mainland localities.’’ Indeed, the last confined spaces would also limit to be just 130 birds – at one location, reliable mainland record is considered visibility and escape routes. meant it remained acutely vulnerable. to be one from the Waikawa River in It is assumed Shore Plover occurred Furthermore there was evidence – a Southland in or before 1872, meaning on all islands in the Chathams group, high proportion of non-breeding adults all remaining birds were by then but once pests got onto some islands of breeding age in the population along confined to the Chathams. birds suffered the same fate as on the with a more or less constant number of So what happened to it? As with mainland. By 1871 they were found breeding pairs – to suggest Rangatira the narrative of so many of our native on Pitt and Mangere but not on was at maximum carrying capacity. species, there is a four-legged thread Chatham, but then disappeared from With the successful establishment running through the story of the Shore Pitt sometime in the 1880s while the of two additional populations of Plover. In this case the legs belonged last record from Mangere was 1898. Black Robins away from Rangatira, to kiore, Norway rats and cats all of So by the dawn of the twentieth thoughts of conservation managers which were well established by the century a species once widespread on turned to doing something similar early 19th century; for once ship rats at least parts the mainland had become for Shore Plover. Given its particular and mustelids are not the accused as confined to a single island – Rangatira/ vulnerability to mammalian predators, by the time they spread throughout South East. However even there the and ‘‘although numbers have been the country, Shore Plover were largely numbers continued to plummet - roughly constant for some years and gone. caused in part, it is believed, by wide the age structure of the population A common theme among New scale collection of specimens for gives no cause for concern’’ should Zealand birds is evolution in the European museums. If the population rats or cats ever reach the island rapid absence of mammalian predators, was confined to one island then so extinction in the wild would surely and shore plover seem to have been too were the efforts of collectors, with follow. Establishing other populations especially susceptible. While most ‘‘hundreds of birds’’ being removed was therefore an urgent priority. plover species nest in the open, such between 1890 and 1910. A captive breeding population as on beaches, gravel or shell banks, Yet against all odds, as Fleming was set up in 1992 and the Mt Bruce tundra or low turf, Shore Plover pointed out, the species survived – just. National Wildlife Centre, with a are unusual in that they nest under ‘‘It is little short of a miracle that South second programme subsequently cover - be it dense vegetation such as East Island has remained free from commenced at Isaac Wildlife Refuge muehlenbeckia, tussocks or sedges, or imported vermin. During the period of in Christchurch. But establishing even under boulders; in one study only whaling activity, when the island was new populations in the wild required two of 141 nests were completely open for a time a shore station for the bay suitable islands with what was to sky: all others were sheltered from whalers, every visiting ship carried in considered to be suitable habitat. above and entered through the sides. her holds rats, which, had they reached Exactly what is suitable habitat for This may be a factor of Shore the shore, would have completed the Shore Plover? The coast of Rangatira is Plover breeding biology in which extermination of the Shore Plover.’’ a series of headlands interspersed with there is a long laying period before a (And with them the last population of wave-cut rock platforms and pebble clutch is completed and an interval of Black Robins.) or boulder beaches in the bays. There one to five days between laying of the On this last bastion it remained - a are no sandy beaches. Shore Plover last egg and the start of incubation. small but largely stable population appeared to favour the rock platforms Eggs are therefore unprotected for a of what was now one of the rarest and adjoining areas of salt meadow,

MNT News | Issue 87 19 although some were recorded from Titahi Bay and Plimmerton. Clearly grassy slopes near the summit. But was the mainland holds much attraction this their optimal habitat? Or was it a for these birds – but it also still holds case of birds making do with what was all the pests that drove the species off- available on their last outpost? shore 150 years ago. As it happens it Thomas Potts wrote: ‘‘This pretty was the appearance of a rat on Mana plover is sometimes frequently seen that was likely behind the dispersal to in the southern parts of this [South the mainland. From 11 breeding pairs Island] fossicking about the sandy in the original 30 birds released on shores at the mouth of rivers. It is very Mana, there are now only four pairs hardy, with a strong inclination for the and two unpaired females. One of the neighbourhood of the sea.’’ According latter appears to have made great, but to Buller, who relied largely on Potts’ ultimately unfruitful efforts to find a observations, ‘‘It hunts about for its mate, being recorded at Manawatu Es- food among the sand and dry ooze in tuary and as far away as Christchurch. a very diligent manner and associates Meanwhile, by 2012 in the Hauraki freely with the flocks of godwit both Gulf, a long term programme of island on their common feeding-ground and restoration had expanded to the stage when the latter crowd upon the high where one of its largest islands had banks during the alteration of the tides been made pest free. Thus Shore Plo- in the manner so familiar to those who ver came to be released on Motutapu. have studied their habits.’’ Included among them was RY-YO, a Such habitat observations led some Between September 1994 and March young male hatched at Mt Bruce and early observers to confer on it the name 2000, 75 birds were released on released in March 2012. It was known Sand Plover. Meanwhile, fossils from a Motuora, but only one breeding pair to have wandered on and off the island riverbed in the Waikari area of North remained at the end of the 1999 -2000 several times but the last sighting on Canterbury suggest that, despite the breeding season. Despite these setbacks Motutapu was in mid-October. It was name it has been given, it may also the Motuora programme did achieve not seen again - until it turned up at have been distributed inland as well. If one significant milestone: one chick Miranda in mid-December, where it so, the riverbed populations were the fledged in each of the 1998/1999 and has remained, much to the delight of first to go, disappearing before 1850. 1999/2000 seasons, probably the first numerous birders. However, we now know, partly wild- bred shore plover around the Overall the Shore Plover popula- thanks to translocations of Shore New Zealand mainland for 120 years. tion in the wild is now over 250, with Plover, that they are not dependent It also led to a milestone for Mi- the number of breeding pairs in the on the rock-platform habitat primarily randa. One Sunday evening, one of wild up from 50 in the 1990s to 90 in used on Rangatira, and can use a wide the wandering Motuora birds turned 2011. However, as the population on variety of substrates. Birds introduced up at Taramaire, just north of the the Chathams remains largely static to Motuora Island in the Hauraki Gulf Shorebird Centre. This was clearly this increase is solely due to captive in the late 1990s had a choice of rock the first record since Miranda became breeding and release to sites around platforms and sandy beach, and spent recognized as an ornithological hot the mainland. Following a number of 90 percent of their time on the beach spot, and, depending on the reliability recent setbacks in the recovery pro- Motuora was one of several offshore of Buller and his sources, it may even gramme, there is still a long path ahead islands around the North Island, along have been a first ever. for Shore Plover. Its status remains with Mana north of Wellington, to be Undeterred, the programme has highly problematic and there is much chosen. Both appeared to have suitable continued – and achieved considerable work still needed to secure a future for shore plover habitat and no predators success. With fine-tuning of captive this unique bird. – or more correctly, no introduced breeding and release methods, popu- predators. But an unforeseen hitch lations of shore plover have now been Further reading: Dowding, J.E. & E.S. Kennedy. 1993. ‘Size, age quickly revealed itself on Motuora - established at several locations around structure and morphometrics of the shore plo- in the form of Moreporks, a species the North Island, one of which has ver population on South East Island’. Notornis that does not occur on the Chathams. been extremely successful. Another, 40:213–22 Fleming, C.A. 1939. ‘Birds of the Chatham When five Shore Plovers were released on Mana, was initially successful Islands’. Emu 39:1–15 on the island in 1994, a resident native with birds breeding on the island. Davis, A. 1994. ‘Status, distribution, popula- species found itself served up with a Unfortunately there then occurred yet tion trends of the New Zealand shore plover (Thinornis noveseelandiae)’. Notornis (supp.) highly endangered and naïve snack. another setback, and once again it is 41:179–94 Subsequent harassment by More- the problem of birds not remaining Davis, A. 1994b. ‘Breeding biology of New Zea- porks and possibly by other avian where they are put. In 2011 the entire land shore plover (Thinornis novaeselandiae)’. Notornis (supp.) 41:195–208 predators is thought to have encour- Mana population of 35 Shore Plovers Woodley, K. 2012 Shorebirds of New Zealand: aged birds to disperse off the island. began to frequent the coast between Sharing the margins. Penguin.

20 MNT News | Issue 87 THE LAST REFUGE (clockwise from top left): Female Shore Plover on ; Male Shore Plover foraging on Rangatira Island; plover habitat at Thinornis Bay on Rangatira Island; Oyster Catchers; Chatham Islands Black Robin. Opposite page: The plover trying to hang out with Wrybills on the Stilt Ponds at Miranda. Pictures / Ian Southey, John Dowding, Jim Eagles, Wikipedia

MNT News | Issue 87 21 Predator control programme What’s on at the catching weasels and rats Shorebird Centre The predator control programme is predators prefer to use tracks when The Thousand now into its third season and continues traveling but when we set traps along- to be highly successful with significant side the walking track visitors tend to Species BioBlitz numbers of weasel and rat, in particu- be curious and sometimes destructive. lar, continuing to be caught. As a result traps have to be hidden in February 28 This autumn and winter it was de- places where they are not as effective. cided to continue trapping for the first Another issue is the number of 6am-midnight time, even though birds would not be feral cats in the area. The traps we are MNT is organising a bioblitz nesting, to test the effect on predator using at the moment aren’t designed with the aim of identifying the numbers. for catching cats so we are exploring full range of species found in To save money we only used eggs other options. the Miranda coastal strip plus for bait during this period – usually On a more positive note, it would the adjacent intertidal zone. we also use rabbit meat – and I also be nice to think the reduction in experimented with peanut butter but predator numbers was a factor in the An array of experts will be on it didn’t make a noticeable difference presence on the shellbanks of nesting hand to identify what is found. to the catch rate. colonies of White-fronted Terns and Volunteers are need both When water levels in the reserve Black-billed Gulls as well as a Vari- beforehand to get the centre were higher than usual, as a result of able Oystercatcher nest and possibly ready and on the day to guide, heavy rain or big high tides, there was two NZ Dotterel nests. More traps collect samples, assist experts, a noticeable increase in rat catches. have been placed on the shellbank to etc. Interference with the traps is an provide extra protection. Contact the Shorebird Centre on-going problem. The majority of Kristelle Wi for details. Trapping results to date (S=summer season) are: S1 S2 Winter S3 so far Migration Day Stoat 9 1 0 0 Ferret 8 2 0 0 March 3, 10am Weasel 1 0 9 3 Come and see the Arctic birds Hedgehog 22 7 0 3 at their finest. This is one of Rat 22 10 16 8 the best times to see Miranda. Feral cat 1 3 1 0 Guest speaker: Jimmy Choi on Non target 8 6 8 1 habitat changes at Yalujiang. (rabbit, mynah, starling) High tide is at noon so birdwatching afterwards. Spot the difference: Answers from page 12 Annual General Meeting May 19, 10am Don’t miss your chance to have a say in the running of the trust. Guest speaker. High Tide is at 1.30pm so birdwatching afterwards. OSNZ Firth of Thames Wader Census June 20 Contact the centre for information if you want to take part.

22 MNT News | Issue 87 MIRANDA NATURALISTS’ TRUST See the birds Situated on the Firth of Thames between Kaiaua and the Miranda Hot Pools, the Miranda Shorebird Centre provides a base for birders right where the birds are. The best time to see the birds is two to three hours either side of high tide. The Miranda high tide is 30 minutes before the Auckland (Waitemata) tide. Drop in to investigate, or come and stay a night or two. Low cost accommodation The Shorebird Centre has bunkrooms for hire and two self-contained The Shorebird Centre units: Beds cost $20 per night for members and $25 for non-members. 283 East Coast Road Self-contained units are $65for members and $85. For further RD 3 Pokeno 2473 information contact the Shorebird Centre phone/fax (09) 232 2781 www.miranda-shorebird.org.nz Become a member Membership of the trust costs $45 a year for individuals, $55 for families Shorebird Centre Manager: and $60 for those living overseas. Life memberships are $1300 for those Keith Woodley under 50 and $750 for those 50 and over. [email protected] As well as supporting the work of the trust, members get four issues of Assistant Manager MNT News a year, discounts on accommodation, invitations to events Maria Stables-Page and the opportunity to join in decisionmaking through the annual [email protected] meeting. Bequests Miranda Naturalists’ Remember the Miranda Naturalists’ Trust in your will and assist its vital Trust Council work in education and protection of migratory shorebirds. For further Chair: Gillian Vaughan information and a copy of our legacy letter contact the Shorebird Centre. [email protected] 09 298 2500 Deputy Chair and Banding Want to be involved? Convenor: Adrian Riegen Friends of Miranda [email protected] This is a volunteer group which helps look after the Shorebird Centre. 09 814 9741 That can include assisting with the shop, guiding school groups or Secretary: Will Perry meeting people down at the hide. Regular days for volunteer training home 09 525-2771 are held. Contact Maria Stables-Page for details. [email protected] Treasurer: Charles Gao Long term Volunteers [email protected] Spend four weeks or more on the shoreline at Miranda. If you are 021 2674 919 interested in staffing the shorebird centre, helping with school groups Council members: David Lawrie or talking to people on the shellbank for a few weeks contact Keith (Immediate Past Chair), Estella Woodley to discuss options. You can have free accommodation in Lee, Wendy Hare, Eila Lawton, one of the bunkrooms and use of a bicycle. Emma Pearson, Phil Hammond, Trudy Lane, Jim Eagles Firth of Thames Census Run by OSNZ and held twice a year, the census days are a good Miranda News chance to get involved with ongoing field work and research. This Miranda Naturalists’ Trust pub- year’s is on November 4. Ask at the centre for details. lishes Miranda News four times a year to keep members in touch Contribute to the Magazine and provide news of events at the If you’ve got something you’ve written, a piece of research, a poem Shorebird Centre, the Hauraki or a great photo send it in to Miranda News. If you want to dis- Gulf and the East Asian-Australa- cuss your ideas contact Jim Eagles at [email protected]. sian Flyway. No material may be reproduced without permission. Help in the Miranda Garden We can always use extra hands in the Miranda Garden, be it a half Editor: Jim Eagles hours weeding or more ambitious projects. If you do have some [email protected] spare time please ask at the centre for ideas, adopt a patch and call (09) 445 2444 it your own or feel free to take up any garden maintenance you 021 0231 6033 can see needs doing.

MNT News | Issue 87 23

Three Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and one Curlew Sandpiper were netted along with the Wrybill in the canon netting exercise at this year’s Miranda Field Course. As well as being banded they were flagged. Banding convenor Adrian Riegen said the catch was a great opportunity to find out more about these regular visitors. “We caught two sharpies at Foxton a couple of years ago but these are the first caught at Miranda. We know they breed in Siberia but don’t know if the same birds come here each year. With the engraved flags in place we might learn something about them. “The Curlew Sandpiper is the 22nd caught in NZ since the first ones were banded in 1992.”

Published by the Miranda Naturalists’Trust, 283 East Coast Road, RD3 Pokeno, New Zealand 2473