An adult NZ Dotterel

Dotterel eggs on site at Waihi Gold

A Dotterel chick on site

An adult bird displaying the 'broken wing act' to lure potential predators away from the nest

Environment: Bird Life

All year round a variety of bird species frequent the Waihi Gold tailings storage facilities. Species observed are black swans, pied shags, pied stilts, plovers, silvereyes, skylarks, sparrows, swallows, yellowhammers, goldfinches, seagulls, harrier hawks, herons and a range of duck species – including paradise ducks. Many of the ducks use the pond as a safe refuge during duck shooting season. They seem to know that firearms aren't allowed on the mine site.

Around 600 ducks have been counted on some days during a season. A regular wildlife monitoring programme for all the visiting bird species is maintained on site. Observations provide valuable information on habitats, behaviour and conditions and will assist with decisions on final plantings to attract bird life once the site is rehabilitated.

Also observed are the more uncommon protected species - dabchicks and dotterels.

Read the latest reports from the DoC Dotterel Watch Ranger sponsored by Newmont Waihi Gold

2010 Update

Below: The NZ Dotterel Watch ute sponsored by Newmont Waihi Gold

Above: Dotterel, pied stilts and paradise ducks are among the many birds that call the tailings pond at Waihi Gold home.

The New Zealand Dotterel (Tuturiwhatu) is protected native bird species that spends part of its year at the tailings storage area. They have been seen in pairs inspecting the site around June and return in late November to nest. There were only about 1500 birds in New Zealand in 2004, but this number is increasing. They typically inhabit coastal areas in Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty and the mine site at Waihi is the only known inland nesting site in New Zealand.

Newmont Waihi Gold formed a partnership with the Department of Conservation in 1995 to assist the survival of the NZ Dotterel population in the Coromandel Peninsula. The ranger in charge of the Coromandel NZ DotterelWatch Programme reports that the last three seasons have been successful, with almost 300 chicks fledged. However, many eggs are destroyed each year by predators and strong sea swells.

The New Zealand Dabchick (Weweia), a member of the grebe family, is found only in New Zealand and is fully protected. Their number is estimated to be only about 1700 and they are known to breed in coastal areas near Auckland, Northland, Wanganui and Manawatu and inland around Rotorua and Taupo. They feed mostly on aquatic or underwater insects.

Dabchicks are rarely seen in flight. If disturbed, they tend to dive underwater. This habit is an advantage to them in duck shooting season. Their legs are positioned well back on their bodies, providing powerful propulsion on and under water but rendering them quite clumsy on dry land.