Part of the kuaka flock at Weiti
The winter has finally gone and the season has changed, marked by the return of the kuaka from Siberia. There must have been about 400 birds last week, double the average resident flock over summer. Many of the birds were juveniles identifiable by their ‘sparkly’ appearance (body feathers have a golden centre) and are probably new arrivals. Peak kuaka as it were. The flock will decrease as some birds move elsewhere. I had a lovely view across the lagoon entrance. Not wanting to disturb the birds (and in any case the channel was too deep), I retraced my steps and saw the rest of the flock from the beach.
..and the rest!
Apart from the kuaka, there were a great flock of spur-winged plovers, about fifty of them, unpaired juveniles I guess, and both oystercatcher species. The variables were causing a bit of aggravation as their desire to establish territories gets stronger, and the pieds have largely left for southern parts. I think the dotterels have given up Weiti as a breeding site but I did see a banded female – yellow/orange on left leg, no band on right. The tide was really high and I had to paddle around the cliff, boots tied and flung over the shoulder. The bush walk was wonderful – the track has dried out and the council have started to upgrade sections. A dotterel pair at Karepiro had their nest saved from the king tide and are now safely ensconced higher up the beach. The pair nesting in the Weiti development have gone – hopefully with chick(s). Jeremy and residents will keep an eye out for them.