Numbers of waders in New Zealand 1994–2003By Ian Southey
DOC Research & Development Series 308. 70 p.
What's it about? Populations of waders, especially migratory species, tend to be in decline worldwide, and there has been concern for some time about the status of some endemic species in New Zealand. Counts of waders in estuaries throughout New Zealand were made during summer (November–December) and winter (June–July) from November 1994 to June 2003, and compared with results from the previous decade. Populations of most species that breed in New Zealand appeared to be stable or increasing, but banded dotterels (
Charadrius bicinctus bicinctus) had clearly declined. No species of Arctic migrant appeared to have increased in number, and only eastern bar-tailed godwits (
Limosa lapponica baueri) and pectoral sandpipers (
Calidris melanotos) appeared to have arrived in similar numbers to the previous decade; numbers of the other species had declined, some substantially. There were disproportionate local gains and losses between sites in several species that suggest local habitat change. In winter, lesser knots (
Calidris canutus) had become much more concentrated on Manukau Harbour and turnstones (
Arenaria interpres) seemed to have moved away from Southland. Species that depend on a small number of sites nationally, especially wrybill (
Anarhynchus frontalis) and lesser knot, are particularly vulnerable to changes at their wintering sites. Some declines in Arctic migrants clearly reflect problems elsewhere on their routes, but there is growing recognition internationally that impacts on non-breeding sites are critical. Consequently, recent changes to coastal environments in New Zealand are of concern.
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The above new publication is now in press and can be downloaded from:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/drds308entire.pdf (1.7 MB)
