Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
These birds can be easily disturbed by humans, animals, or vehicles. If they feel threatened, adult birds may abandon their nests and any eggs or chicks, leaving them vulnerable to predation.
Eggs that are not warmed by their parents for over 10 minutes will freeze and the chicks inside will die.
How to spot nesting birds
Look out for signage in the area, and be alert. Braided river birds may let you know you are in their territory! They use a variety of behaviours to protect their young from potential threats including:
- Swooping – birds will dive-bomb anyone that comes too close to their nest (and potentially poo on them too!)
- Cawing/squawking – their version of telling you to “back off”.
- Distraction – some birds will try and entice you away from the nest by pretending to have a broken wing, bobbing around, or simply running away.
If you notice our native birds displaying these behaviours when you are around our rivers, please leave the area to avoid disturbing their nests or causing them to abandon the colony.
Restricted access along the Ashley/Rakahuri
Each year we work with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Waimakariri District Council (WDC) to manage access to certain parts of the Ashley/Rakahuri.
We work with DOC, WDC, 4-wheel drive (4WD) clubs, environmental groups, and Canterbury Police to maintain public access to the river while protecting nesting birds.
Regional parks team leader Karen Elliott said there’s growing recognition that rare birds need their space from 1 September until 1 February.
“We acknowledge that the majority of 4WDers act responsibly and understand the importance of avoiding the Ashley Rakahuri and Waimakariri awa during the nesting season.
“We value the efforts of 4WD clubs actively reminding their members to steer clear of braided riverbeds until February, which is crucial in ensuring that riverbed birds have the opportunity to breed and thrive without disturbance this season,” said Karen.
Avoid disturbing braided river birds
The most important thing you can do this breeding season is to avoid areas where braided river birds are nesting. Their eggs are notoriously good at camouflaging in the grey rocks, so even if you think you’d be able to spot nests, this is not the case.
If you are a 4WD enthusiast, take the opportunity to explore 4WD tracks away from braided rivers during bird nesting season. DOC has a list of local 4WD trails on its website.
Even the most well-behaved dogs can suddenly chase our native birds, so please keep them on a leash every time you visit our rivers. This also includes the mouths of our rivers and on our beaches.
The native birds nesting along Canterbury’s braided rivers are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953, which means it is illegal to harm or kill them or to destroy their nests and eggs.
Further protection measures
Over the summer, we conduct karoro/Southern black-backed gull control operations. This work protects braided river species by targeting karoro which prey on the eggs and chicks of these birds.
The primary goal of the control operation is to relocate the karoro population away safely and efficiently from our rivers. This is achieved by removing their eggs and nests while ensuring the well-being of non-target species and the public. The ultimate aim is to deter karoro from nesting in braided river areas in the future, thereby contributing to the conservation efforts of endangered braided river bird species.
Our rivers team frequently conduct rare bird species surveys around their worksites and this information is uploaded onto the publicly accessible EBird website by senior environmental advisor for rivers, Melissa Shearer.
“If we find nests or colonies, we alter our work areas so we don’t disturb the birds, or if we cannot shift location then we delay our work until after the nesting has finished,” said Melissa.
“This pre-work reporting helps form a picture of sites that are frequently used for nesting so we can figure out which areas to avoid or enhance with predator control, nesting island enhancements, or access restrictions.”
A big thank you to the valued volunteers from the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group, who do regular surveys of the various bird populations along the river and set predator traps. Find out more information and support their important mahi on the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group website.
