Tucker Beach Wildlife Management Reserve’s proving the perfect breeding ground for native birds, boasting the best breeding season in years for some.
Over the past few months, the Friends of Tucker Beach Wildlife Reserve have been watching the area like hawks, and are stoked to have the highest count since they formed in 2017.
The reserve covers 150 hectares of Department of Conservation land straddling Queenstown’s Shotover River, with the 60ha on the true right of the river completely degraded for many years, when it was used as a dumping ground for vehicles, furniture and rubbish, overgrown with conifers, broom and lupins.
That affected threatened migratory birds who lost their nesting habitats in the braided river gravels.
But with funding support from DoC and after a huge effort by volunteers, the Friends are starting to reap the rewards of their hard work.
Group chair Rosemary Barnett says there are now about 60 black-billed gull nests, home to 85 young chicks and juveniles and 230 adults.
It’s the first time the colony has nested in the reserve since the 2018-’19 season.
Last week the group also counted 44 tern, including three chicks and 17 juveniles which are learning to skim over and dive into the water.
Barnett says there are many factors in the ‘‘outstanding’’ results this season.
They include river movement, which has created a high bank for the birds to nest on.
And due to a nearby trail slip, there’s little human activity in that area.
Educating people about how to behave around the birds and their nests — like staying away from nests and keeping dogs on leashes — has also helped, though there are still occasional issues.
She also credits the volunteers involved with the predator control.
‘‘The challenge now’s to maintain it.’’
