Kaikora's Banded Dotterels

The Banded Dotterels who've made their home in Kaikoura have had a rough time of it in the last few years, despite having some dedicated guardian angels trying to save them. The little shore bird with the distinctive markings tend to lay their eggs in little camouflaged nests close to the sea, often on busy beaches.

That's certainly the case on South Bay, where Ailsa Howard, her husband Ted regularly monitor the adult birds and surviving chicks. Even before the disruption of the earthquake in November, many of the more than 20 nests Ailsa and Ted had found were disturbed or destroyed - by predators and people riding motorbikes along the popular beach.

Banding Banded Dotterels.

Banded Dotterel chick - Ailsa Howard.

Close up Female Banded Dotterel- Ailsa Howard.

Female Banded Dotterel - Ailsa Howard.

Close up Banded Dotterel chick - Ailsa Howard.

Banded Dotterel warning sign South Bay (pre-earthquake).

Ailsa Howard at work photographing Banded Dotterels.

Adult Banded Dotterel.

Male Banded Dotterel on nest.

Banded Dotterels trying to lure away a potential predator.

Banded Dotterel chick testing its wings.

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.