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Factors affecting shorebird hatching outcomes at the Ashley River/Rakahuri-Saltwater Creek estuary, New Zealand [PRE-PUBLICATION]

  • Publication Type

    Journal Article

  • Publication Year

    2025

  • Author(s)

    E.R.G. Gunby; S.M. Kross; J.V. Briskie

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    72, 3

  • Pagination

    151-159

  • Article Type

    Paper

  • DOI

    https://doi.org/10.63172/967507julexs

Keywords

hatching success, cat predation, invasive predators, black-fronted tern, southern black-backed gull, banded dotterel, pied stilt, variable oystercatcher


Factors affecting shorebird hatching outcomes at the Ashley River/Rakahuri-Saltwater Creek estuary, New Zealand [PRE-PUBLICATION]

Notornis, 72 (3), 151-159

E.R.G. Gunby; S.M. Kross; J.V. Briskie (2025)

Article Type: Paper

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Shorebird nest outcomes can be affected by factors such as predation, human disturbance, and habitat characteristics. Over two breeding seasons between 2022–2024, we monitored the hatching success of banded dotterels (Anarhynchus bicinctus), southern black-backed gulls (SBBGs) (Larus dominicanus), black-fronted terns (Chlidonias albostriatus), pied stilts (Himantopus leucocephalus), and variable oystercatchers (Haematopus unicolor) at the Ashley River estuary, New Zealand, and compared these values to those in the literature. We also recorded habitat variables at the nest sites of the two species with the largest sample sizes: banded dotterels and SBBGs. Hatching success was lowest for black-fronted terns and highest for SBBGs. Overall, failure was predominantly due to predation and flooding. SBBG hatching success was unrelated to the measured nest site variables but may have been influenced by seasonal changes, with earlier nests appearing more successful. Banded dotterel nests that were closer to water appeared to be more successful, as did nests in the first year of the study. Cats (Felis domesticus) were recorded depredating banded dotterel nests, highlighting the importance of monitoring and controlling invasive species to protect native birds in New Zealand’s estuaries.