Dotterel chicks hatch at Auckland Zoo

Hatched: Dotterel chick

From City Scene, published on 1 November, 2009.

Three dotterel eggs laid in the middle of the Hobsonville Deviation (State Highway 16) construction site in August have safely hatched at Auckland Zoo.

The New Zealand Transport Agency, on discovering the nest in August, contacted the Department of Conservation (DOC) who approached the zoo to incubate the eggs.

An endangered shore bird, the dotterel has been increasingly moving inland to nest. The mix of bare land, short grass and wetlands-type areas on construction sites are proving attractive, but problematic, nesting sites for these birds.

The three chicks will remain at the zoo to be advocates for coastal habitat conservation. Visitors can expect to see them on display this summer at the shore bird aviary within its Sealion and Penguin Shores exhibit.