Dotterel Defenders

Nesting NZ dotterel/tūturiwhatu are highly vulnerable to disturbance from people, dogs and vehicles. NZ dotterel often nest in small scrapes in the sand above the high tide mark and eggs can be easily crushed. Eggs can overheat and chicks are at risk from predation and starvation if adults are constantly disturbed.
You can help avoiding disturbance to NZ dotterel during breeding season (August to March) by following these simple steps:
• Watch where you walk on the beach and try keep below the high tide mark.
• Keep dogs on a leash and out of prohibited areas.
• Don’t take vehicles onto beaches where dotterels are known to be nesting.
• Leave the immediate area if you see a dotterel that is pretending to have a broken wing.
• Keep away from taped-off areas on the beach.

Read more about tūturiwhatu here:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/nz-dotterel-tuturiwhatu/ less ↑