The New Zealand dotterel is an endangered species found only in this country. It was once widespread and common but there are only about 1700 birds left. This serious decline in numbers is due to a combination of habitat loss, predation by introduced mammals and disturbance during breeding.
The northern end of the Omaha Spit (about 10km east of Warkworth) is a nationally significant breeding site for the endangered New Zealand dotterel. Oyster catchers also nest at this site, and the area is visited by godwits, pied stilts, wrybills, and occasionally, our rarest bird, the New Zealand fairy tern.
The Omaha Shorebird Protection Group is a community group set up to protect the shorebirds at Omaha Spit, their eggs and chicks, monitor the bird population and raise public awareness. Support is provided by the Department of Conservation, Rodney District Council and Auckland Regional Council
If you are interested in volunteering for this community group in any capacity, from baking a cake for fund raising, to enjoying a walk along the beach checking traps at the same time, please contact:
www.omahashorebirds.co.nz
info@omahashorebirds.co.nz
