Protect our rare native wildlife this summer
Date: 20 December 2006
People visiting southern Wairarapa’s Onoke spit are being encouraged to leave their vehicles at the end of the formed road to avoid harming nesting Caspian terns and other wildlife and plants.
Onoke Spit is one of a few remaining nesting areas of the nationally vulnerable Caspian tern, which can be found on estuarine shellbanks or sandspits in both the North and South Islands. The New Zealand population of these birds is around 3000, but colony sizes vary from year to year and rarely exceed 100 pairs. Around 30 known pairs reside at Onoke Spit.
Department of Conservation biodiversity programme manager Phil Brady said vehicles being driven across the spit could be deadly for these birds.
“It would be ideal if all visitors to the spit leave their cars parked at the end of the formed road and walk the rest of the way. If people believe it’s essential to drive their vehicles along the spit, we recommend that they keep close to the coast or Lake Onoke shoreline, where the sand is most firm and populations of nesting birds and plants are less likely.”
Since the 1970s, Caspian tern populations have slipped back as several major colonies have been disturbed by increased human activity as well as the planting of pine trees and marram grass on their favoured bare sandspits.
Mr Brady also recommends that dog owners keep their dogs on a leash when walking along the spit.
“Disruption caused by dogs and humans can have a significant negative impact on these birds nesting behaviour and we’re relying on visitors to the site to treat the area with respect.” ENDS