More Chatham Island oystercatchers

Forest and Bird, Issue 292, 1 May 1999, Page 4

More Chatham Island oystercatchers

Nn apparent increase in the number of endanered Chatham Island oystercatchers is revealed by a recent census covering nearly 97 percent of the coastline of the main Chatham Island and 100 percent of Pitt, Southeast/ Rangatira and Mangere islands. Within one week a total of 141 adults were found by local volun-

teers and conservation staff, where previous counts between 1996-98 gave an estimated population between 65 and 120 adults. Frances Schmechel, who is researching the behaviour of the birds, believes the higher count could in part be due to covering all four islands more efficiently with a larger survey team. ‘There is very good evidence,

however, for an actual increase in population, including an increase in breeding pairs on the north coast of the main island, she says. This is the area where the Department of Conservation has been concentrating much of its management effort to protect nests and control predators. ‘While no proof is yet avail-

able, it is possible the last few years of management is paying off? says Frances Schmechel. In another survey, a previously unknown population of the endangered New Zealand shore plover has been found on a pest-free reef in the Chatham Islands. Altogether, 21 new birds, (15 males, five females and a fledgling) were located after a commercial fisherman reported their possible presence on the remote islets.