Marathon threatens rare dotterel

Much like the panda’s reluctance to mate with other eligible pandas, the New Zealand dotterel may be partly responsible for its own endangered status.

For generations, an Auckland dotterel population has made its nests on the embankments to the northern motorway exiting the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

It’s a questionable survival technique, especially considering the upcoming Auckland Marathon this Sunday, October 30, brings thousands of joggers close by, spooking the parent dotterels away from their nests and the protection of their chicks.

But thanks to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), a dedicated conservation effort to protect the dotterels’ motorway habitat has been undertaken.

Signs to deter marathon runners from getting too close to the dotterel habitat, and hay bales to obstruct the dotterels view of runners have been installed.

Someone will also be monitoring the dotterel habitat during the marathon to ensure nests are not abandoned for extended periods.

‘‘This time of year is crucial for both the New Zealand dotterel and the oystercatcher species because breeding adults are usually sitting on their eggs,’’ NZTA engineer Eric Jenkin says.

‘‘If the birds are not sitting on their nests and there’s rain, there is a very high risk the eggs will die.’’

Belmont Primary School staff and pupils are taking on a marathon challenge. Michaela von Sturmer

PHOTO: AULDWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY There are only 1700 dotterel breeding pairs in the world, leading the species to be classified as ‘‘endangered’’ internationally.