A joint effort to save the fairy tern
The Department of Conservation is hoping a newly formed New Zealand Fairy Tern Recovery Group will provide the direction needed to save New Zealand’s most endangered bird, the fairy tern (tara iti), from extinction.
“With only six pairs attempting to nest last season, and a population of approximately 40 birds, the plight of the fairy tern/tara iti is critical,” recovery group leader Troy Makan said.
DoC was taking a collaborative approach with the recovery group, which included representatives of Nga¯ti Whatua o Kaipara, Patuharakeke Te Iwi and Te Uri o Hau, supported by DoC science staff and increased research.
Fifteen of 22 recommendations made in a 2017 review were being implemented, with the remainder to be progressed under the recovery group’s leadership.
Implementing the new recovery programme would involve developing new techniques and management strategies, Mr Makan said, adding that there was already significant on-the-ground management of the populations at breeding and roosting sites near Auckland and Whanga¯rei, including avian and mammalian predator control, proactive development of nesting sites with fencing, chick protection and monitoring with on-site public advocacy and compliance to keep the breeding areas undisturbed.
“There’s fantastic community support, and DoC works closely with several community groups and trusts to raise funding to support NZFT along with providing and co-ordinating volunteers on the ground,” he said.
“These include Birds NZ, Forest & Bird, Mangawhai About Tern, the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society, the NZ Fairy Tern Trust, the Te Arai and Mangawhai Shorebirds Trust and Waipu About Tern.”
Specific measures included genetic research into pedigree and infertility, and new tools and techniques for nest protection, including nest monitoring using trail cameras and year-round predator control at Mangawhai spit.
“These precious birds have been hanging on to the brink for too long. The recovery group enables us to give the tara iti the chance to once again flourish on our shores,” Mr Makan added.