$76k boost for Shorebirds Trust

Players participating in the 5th annual Shorebirds Charity Tournament at the world-class Tara Iti Golf Club on of November 13 could not have asked for a more stunning bluebird day with superb link course conditions and a pod of Orca whales offshore.

 As a result of the generosity and support from business associates and Tara Iti club members, the event was a great success, raising around $76,000 to assist the Shorebirds Trust.

Shorebirds Trustees Peter Hall, Peter Wilson and Linda Guzik focus on science-based projects that will have the greatest impact on recovery efforts for the critically threatened NZ fairy tern (tara iti) and other endangered species.

The Shorebirds Trust and key partners, Boffa Miskell, Department of Conservation, Tara Iti Golf Club, Auckland Council, and Te Uri o Hau, support DOC’s Tara Iti Recovery Group efforts.

The Trust provided funding for DOC’s major shell enhancement project last year at Waipu and this year on the Mangawhai Wildlife Refuge. During the recent turbulent weather, six tara iti nests were lost, but all nine eggs were safely transported to the Auckland Zoo with the plan to transplant eggs in the wild if the birds re-nest.

Birds NZ member and long-term NZ fairy tern observer, Gwenda Pulham, believes it is encouraging that none of the nests laid on man-made elevated shell patches were lost to sanding over or tidal inundation during the recent storms.

The Trust is also working closely with local landowners to establish a predator control buffer zone from Mangawhai to Pakiri North.

Fundraising is required for the Trust to provide technical and financial support to University of Canterbury and Massey University for research studies prioritised on the NZ fairy tern recovery efforts. Learn more at shorebirdstrust.org.nz.