Dabchick Pukekohe area

[BombayDave]

Over the last 2 months I have visited 28 small ponds in the Pukekohe area and there were breeding pairs on 9 ponds and single birds seen on another 3. There is a new development in Pukekohe(Anselmi ridge) with a drainage pond and despite the noise and activity form building a pair managed to raise one chick. I noticed that there were suitable ponds/ habitat that did not have dabchick and they were overcrowded with ducks. Also of note is that shallow ponds with little weed were not favoured by Dabchick.

[Olwen]

It'll be interesting to see how the numbers go if you keep track over the next couple of years over the same 2 months period.