New Zealand dotterel Kaikoura

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igor
Posts: 165
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:59 pm

New Zealand dotterel Kaikoura

Postby igor » Thu Nov 16, 2017 10:27 pm

I was surprised to see a New Zealand dotterel on the tidal rocky reef at Point Kean today.
Cheers,
Igor
Davidthomas
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Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:05 am

Re: New Zealand dotterel Kaikoura

Postby Davidthomas » Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:51 am

Interesting, what breeding stage was it Igor? Potentially just a young southern bird doing a trip of the South Island as they do I guess?
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sav
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Location: Havelock North
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Re: New Zealand dotterel Kaikoura

Postby sav » Fri Nov 17, 2017 7:53 pm

I think there might be a really interesting debate about where this bird came from, and no way of proving the answer. The Northern birds are apparently making moves South on both coasts, so maybe not all South Island records neccessarily need to be ascribed to Southern NZ Dotts in the future?

In general terms young males of many (bird!?) species go off for a wander before settling down. I dont see why Northern NZ Dotts should be less likely than Southern in Kaikoura - after all, the population sizes are massively different.

What do you all think?

cheers
Sav Saville
Wrybill Birding Tours, NZ
Great Birds, Real Birders
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boneywhitefoot
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Location: Upper Hutt
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Re: New Zealand dotterel Kaikoura

Postby boneywhitefoot » Sat Nov 18, 2017 10:44 pm

We have NZ dots at Waikanae this year.
One pair have been there for 4 weeks.
Not particular colourful but hopeful
igor
Posts: 165
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:59 pm

Re: New Zealand dotterel Kaikoura

Postby igor » Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:44 pm

20171116_180219_HDR~2.jpg
20171116_180219_HDR~2.jpg (171.97 KiB) Viewed 1948 times
The bird had some colour, but over a very restricted part of breast/belly - see record shot attached. I took it to be a northern bird, consistent with their current spread south.

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