Shorebirds of Farewell Spit, Golden Bay and Tasman Bay Technical Report
- Author
- Schuckard, R.; Melville, D.S.
- Year
- 2013
- Journal / Source
- Ornithological Society of New Zealand
- Publisher / Organisation
- Prepared for Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council
- Pages
- 77
- Summary
- The coastal area of the Top of the South Island has extensive estuaries and large tidal flats that are visited by thousands of shorebirds annually. Shorebird surveys at the Top of the South Island started at Farewell Spit in 1961, and since 1983 biannual shorebird counts have been undertaken by members of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand (OSNZ). This report analyses the latest counts between November (spring) 2001 and June (winter) 2012. The average number of all Arctic-breeding migratory shorebirds in the Top of the South Island in spring (November) showed a decline of 26% between the periods 1983-2000 and 2001-2012. In terms of total numbers, Red Knot declined by about 4,700 birds, Bar-tailed Godwit by about 5,100 and Ruddy Turnstone by about 500. Populations of endemic shorebirds appear to be stable or showing a slight increase; Variable Oystercatcher had the largest increase of about 400 birds