Storms kill fairy terns

New Zealand fairy terns, also known as tara-iti, only exist in Northland, with only around 40 of the endangered bird alive. Photo / File

One of New Zealand's most endangered birds has had a rough breeding season in Northland, with only six fairy tern chicks surviving from 31 eggs.

New Zealand fairy terns, also known as tara-iti, only exist in Northland, with only about 40 alive. They are found across the coastal areas of Mangawhai, Waipu, Pakiri, South Kaipara, and nest on exposed, shell-covered sand areas of beach.

"It was a really difficult season, actually" said Heather Rogan, the convenor of the New Zealand Fairy Tern Trust.

She said storms affected survival, with five chicks from Mangawhai and only one from Papakanui that survived.

"It is disappointing - in the years gone by it would've been predators (that killed chicks), but this time around it was unlucky timing with the storms."

Mrs Rogan is confident that the fairy terns have been under good supervision, proven by the 12 chicks that survived from 20 eggs in the previous year.

"You can monitor everything else, but you can't control the weather," she says.

There are multiple reasons for the small number of fairy terns, with the most common being disturbance and predators. Mrs Rogan said loss of habitat from developments made along the coast affected the lives of these birds. Predators included a range of animals, such as cats, dogs, weasels and hedgehogs, with cats being the most difficult to catch. On an average month, around 10 hedgehogs and rats are caught in traps around fairy tern nesting sites, whereas only two to three cats were.

Full-time wardens, trappers, and volunteers help the conservation of the birds by monitoring their habitats and ensuring that they are away from danger. During the breeding seasons, generally between September to February, the Department of Conservation will set fences up in areas likely to have nesting birds.

The New Zealand Fairy Tern Trust will hold a meeting on September 19 at 2pm, at Mangawhai Heads' Senior Citizens' Hall, to elect a new committee.