Motat shifts live military show after rare dotterels set up nest

Working with Auckland Zoo, the museum has taken a number of measures to protect the birds. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A pair of nesting rare birds has forced an Auckland museum to move a live action event in order to protect the endangered chicks.

The protected dotterels - of which there are only 1700 left in the world - have made a home for themselves in the Museum of Transport and Technology's aviation and military site in Motions Rd, Western Springs.

Because the birds are a protected species, Motat has had to move its Military Live Day on December 21 to another part of the site, and close off the area where the dotterels have set up camp with their eggs.

"The Military Live Day will be entertaining, as always," Motat chief executive Michael Frawley said.

"The only difference will be the relocation of activities to another part of the site and of course the inclusion of two extra visitors."

The situation itself is also quite rare, he said, as dotterels usually nest near water.

Working with Auckland Zoo, the museum has taken a number of measures to protect the birds, Mr Frawley said.

These included cordoning off the nesting area, halting lawn mowing in the area, putting in place predator control measures, and the relocation of the Military Live Day to another part of the site.

The changes will be in place for about two months, to allow the eggs time to hatch and the newly formed bird family to leave.

"We'll be doing all we can to make sure they are well looked after over the next couple of months," Mr Frawley said.