Plight of the New Zealand Dotterel. (1 Viewer)

Without doubt the New Zealand Dotterel is one of the most beautiful, if understated, of waders. It is endemic to New Zealand and is considered to be Endangered. It is the largest of the Charadrius plovers and is divided into two subspecies. The nominate Charadrius o. obscurus is very rare and breeds just on Stewart Island off South Island. Its population has risen from a low of 62 birds to 250 after feral cats were controlled on the island. Charadrius o. aquilonius lives at the north end of the North Island, but although greater in number is not abundant by any means. Our first sighting of them was a special moment...http://www.waderquest.org/2014/03/plight-of-new-zealand-dotterel.html