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Pukeko Eating Dotterel Eggs

I thought I might be photographing a Northern New Zealand Dotterel defending its chick at Point England.
I thought I might be photographing a Northern New Zealand Dotterel defending its chick at Point England.
I kept shooting but could not work out where the chick was.
I kept shooting but could not work out where the chick was.
When the Pukeko pecked the ground I was worried it had caught the chick. I advanced slowly (still shooting) because I thought there could be chicks about.
When the Pukeko pecked the ground I was worried it had caught the chick. I advanced slowly (still shooting) because I thought there could be chicks about.
This is a very cropped image from a 400mm lens so I was still a long way off.
This is a very cropped image from a 400mm lens so I was still a long way off.
When I saw this flash of yellow I knew it was not eating grass. I then ran in and scared off the Pukeko.
When I saw this flash of yellow I knew it was not eating grass. I then ran in and scared off the Pukeko.
The other half of the egg was nearby.
The other half of the egg was nearby.

Of course my presence could well have distracted the NNZD but I don’t think she could defend her nest. The whole time I was observing her she was never more than a few meters from her nest. A passing cow would have been a much bigger and very common distraction for her. The Pukeko was moving with two others who stayed nearby but did not seem interested, there were no observable Pukeko chicks (or paternal behaviour from the Pukeko). The Pukeko definitely seemed to be consuming the egg for food not destroying it for territorial reasons.

Egg predation by Pukeko might explain other nest losses I have had this season.

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Things Aucklanders can do to help the Hauraki Gulf

Inspired by some recent conversations, I put together this list (in no particular order).

Things Aucklanders can do to help the Hauraki Gulf

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Invertebrates

Nudibranch

If I really care about biodiversity and 95% of described species are invertebrates then I am spending too much time with birds. Tho based on a talk I heard at the Zoological Society we don’t know how to look after them yet. The things we do to protect birds also help the insects (removing rodents and wasps).

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The enemy of my enemy…

Spur Winged Plover chasing off Dotterel avian predator #1 Swamp harrier.
Spur Winged Plover chasing off Dotterel avian predator #1 Swamp harrier.
But the nesting Magpie is more persistent, even the SWP back off when he rockets up.
But the nesting Magpie is more persistent, even the SWP back off when he rockets up.
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Rare Birds Nesting

Rare Birds Nesting

I think I will get good results from this sign but I now want to change it. ‘Threatened with extinction’ and ‘conservation dependant’ is better (and more accurate) than endangered or rare. Also the council recently added ‘please don’t let your dog chase me away’ which I like. Full size here .

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Spur Winged Plover Eggs

Spur Winged Plover nest found 13 August
Spur Winged Plover nest found 13 August
Spur Winged Plover nest 20 August. No pipping so assumed lost one to a predator, hedgehog?
Spur Winged Plover nest 20 August. No pipping so assumed lost one to a predator, hedgehog?
Eggs lightly covered in canola oil
Eggs lightly covered in canola oil
Eggs 2hrs later, Spur Winged Plover resumed sitting. Some oil lost but am not sure how much (or for how long) is required to kill it.
Eggs 2hrs later, Spur Winged Plover resumed sitting. Some oil lost but am not sure how much (or for how long) is required to kill it.

Because I know I have a predator I will not know if this technique works unless I still have eggs on the 17th of September.

From a different nest. If the SWP can loose eggs then so can the Dotterel.
From a different nest. If the SWP can loose eggs then so can the Dotterel.

Dropped some of to the Museum.

Collected from Point England -36.8796816, 174.8723308 On the 24th August 2014 Three eggs from two Spur Wing Plover nests which each had 4 eggs Collected from Alexandra Park -36.8908216, 174.779165 On the 24th August 2014 Three eggs from two Spur Wing Plover nests one had 3 eggs the other had 4 eggs Eggs collected from both sites to protect neighbouring (nesting) NZ Dotterel.
Collected from Point England -36.8796816, 174.8723308 On the 24th August 2014
Three eggs from two Spur Wing Plover nests which each had 4 eggs
Collected from Alexandra Park -36.8908216, 174.779165 On the 24th August 2014
Three eggs from two Spur Wing Plover nests one had 3 eggs the other had 4 eggs
Eggs collected from both sites to protect neighbouring (nesting) NZ Dotterel.

Still 3 eggs, 6 September
Still 3 eggs, 6 September
10 September: Hatched! 2 Chicks 30M away. Bugga.
10 September: Hatched! 2 Chicks 30M away. Bugga.