A cat has been captured taking a banded dotterel from a nest at South Bay, Kaikōura. North Canterbury researchers are devastated after the “total nesting failure” of a species of vulnerable native birds on a local beach. Preliminary monitoring of the banded dotterel population at Kaikōura’s South Bay revealed that the 2020 breeding season has been the worst on record. Marlborough Express No banded dotterel chicks have survived at Kaikōura’s South Bay this breeding season. Banded dotterels are deemed nationally vulnerable, the total population thought to be in the order of 50,000 birds and declining.

Source: Stuff December 07, 2020 01:07 UTC