Dotterels on Big Manly and Tindalls Beach Whangaparaoa

[morepork]

We have two pairs of Northern Dotterels that have been resident and breeding since 2021/22 season. CXV & CXL were ringed and tagged on Shakespear Park in 2020/21 season. EDS and ESC first appeared 2021/22 season as unringed birds, both have been ringed and tagged on Big Manly since then along with their fledglings. We had an epic battle with the second pair 2022/23 season when we rescued their eggs from the water during Gabriel. Keeping them warm and dry until the tide receded far enough for us to recreate the nest and replace the eggs, both birds stayed with us and immediately returned to sitting the eggs two of which hatched and both birds fledged.
The current season has been a bad one for us, both pairs have made three attempts but each one eventually abandoned due to a combination of poor site choice, below the high tide mark and interference, both two and four legged, which is always a problem on busy well populated beaches.
EDS / ESC made one final attempt and we found the nest with just one egg on 26 November, it was in a good spot but sadly the egg proved to be infertile and they finally abandoned after sitting it for no less than 55 consecutive days, an exceptional record and yes we checked every day as our main aim is always to protect them. Does anyone have knowledge of similar occurrences?

[Ian McLean]

Kia ora Morepork
Thanks for your great work as a Dotterel Minder. Unfortunately, the dotterel minders at Te Henga/Bethells Beach also had a dotterel incubating an infertile egg for 45 days. Please refer to their Te Henga/Tuturiwhatu/dotterel facebook page for information.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2703509556590082

[morepork]

Thank,s Ian