How you can help
Predation and disturbance are the major causes of breeding failure for shorebirds. Eggs can overheat or chill if birds are kept off nests too long, and chicks may be lost if they are separated from their parents. During the breeding season (August–February), you can help by:
Trust members undertake a wide variety of activities, including checking traps, monitoring birds, advocacy, and fund-raising. If you would like to help the Trust with its work, would like further information, or would like to make a donation to help with these activities, please contact us at:
info@omahashorebirds.co.nz
Volunteers for predator trap monitoring are given on site training and should be willing to commit to monitoring once a week or fortnight during the nesting season August to February.
Bird monitors need to be experienced and to have undertaken training. The NZ Dotterel Management Course is held at the Miranda Shorebird Centre annually in September.
People interested in shorebird protection can volunteer to act as Advocates for the Omaha Shorebirds by visiting the site at high tide and engaging with the general public. Many of those visiting the spit know very little about the shorebirds present, and may inadvertently cause harm by their activities. Usually those approached are happy to be given a brochure and offered the opportunity to learn more about these birds.
Become a Friend of Omaha Shorebirds
News Autumn 2015
A record breeding season for NZ dotterel chicks at Omaha with at least 8 and as many as 13 chicks fledged! The success of the 2014/15 NZ dotterel breeding season has shown the value of the pest proof fence and the on-going work of volunteer trapping and monitoring activities on Omaha Spit. Predator trapping had been taking place for several years prior to the installation of the pest proof fence and trapping continues on both sides of the fence.