Banded Dotterel (tūturiwhatu) nesting season begins at Craig Burn - please take care
Male Banded Dotterel (tūturiwhatu) in breeding plumage
Photo: IM Turnbull
Please keep off our nests!
The Banded Dotterel (tūturiwhatu) nesting season has begun at Craig Burn (western side of Lake Hāwea). This will continue through the spring and summer.
Guardians of Lake Hāwea have put up new, larger, signs about these threatened little birds that breed on the gravel beaches and among the lupins. You may also see some cordoned-off areas if nests require extra protection from people.
Two easy ways you can help the dotterels during this time, is to avoid driving on the Craig Burn beach and to keep dogs on a leash during September to February or March.
At present there is not much exposed beach at the Craig Burn, but this could change. So please, on your next visit:
Read the signs
Be aware of the birds, only observe from a distance
Keep your car, truck and unleashed dogs off the gravel beaches
Respect any roped off areas
Banded dotterels are under pressure around the country because of conflict with people and predators, and the Guardians are pleased to have a role in protecting these appealing little birds. We hope the community will help us.
For more information about our dotterels, see the Grebes and Dotterels page.
