Shag befriends brothers but DOC issues warning

Two Timaru boys experienced a close encounter of the feathered kind at the Timaru port on Monday.

Brayden and Miles Wilson, aged 12 and 10, could not believe their eyes when a young spotted shag came out of the water and waddled up near them.

‘‘It came up real close to us,’’ Brayden said.

‘‘We’ve never seen anything like it before because it was like a metre away from us.’’

However, Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Steve Harraway asked that members of the public stay away from all wild animals and birds, even if approached by them.

‘‘All wild birds and animals are unpredictable and this charismatic spotted shag/pa¯ rekareka is no exception,’’ Harraway said.

‘‘Keep at least 20 metres away from all wildlife.

‘‘If they approach you like this young shag, please move back to give them space.’’

He said the young bird was probably used to humans because of the constant flow of people on the wharf.

‘‘The spotted shags on Timaru wharf may appear to be tame or tolerant of people.

‘‘This is because there is often a lot of people and noise at Timaru wharf and the birds can become more accustomed to and seemingly unfazed by people,’’ he said.

‘‘This wouldn’t be the case if you came across the shags in a more remote location,’’ Harraway said.

‘‘It’s important to remember they are still wild birds and are unpredictable.’’

Harraway discouraged people from feeding the wild bird and animal populations as it was harmful to them and can disrupt their natural feeding behaviour and diet.

"Never feed our birds – even if they ask.

‘‘As a reminder, for those who want to take a photo of a sleepy sea lion or a group of shags, try to zoom with your camera lens rather than your feet,’’ Harraway said.

‘‘If they approach you like this young shag, please give them space.’’ DOC ranger Steve Harraway