The tūturiwhatu, or New Zealand dotterel, has taken to nesting with man-made avians as this endangered bird has found shelter and safety living at the Auckland Airport.
According to Radio New Zealand, pairs of this little bird have begun nesting and laying eggs in the grass surrounding the taxiways and terminal building.
While this comes with some noise pollution, the New Zealand dotterel are flocking to the area for what experts believe is for safety. High fences keep predators away, offering these feathered residents sanctuary.
Four pairs of the birds have moved into the Auckland Airport space.
Auckland Airport Wildlife Manager Lucy Hawley said, “These tiny little birds take absolutely no notice of the giant planes moving all around them and have no issues setting up home right beside the taxiways.”
Throughout the past decade, Hawley noted that she has witnessed about 80 young dotterel hatch among the planes.
The birds generally arrive between October and December. So this year, Hawley is preparing to welcome more feathered friends.
She said, “Each year we get between eight and twelve dotterels nesting at the airport.”
The airport officials have worked to ensure the birds are allowed to be tracked and left to their nesting habits without interference.
“We love doing our part to help this important species to breed,” Hawley added.
The New Zealand Herald reported that the Department of Conservation, Forest & Bird, the SPCA, Auckland Council, and the Auckland Airport Wildlife Team have partnered to ensure that this endangered species remains protected and safe while nesting at the strange site.
There are only about 2,500 of the dotterels left, so this flight risk is being taken seriously.
In addition to taking extra precautions to look out for the little birds, the Auckland Airport is working with certified bird banders to mark and track these residents so they can gain more insight into their behaviors and needs.
