Rangatira island in the Chathams is the last home of the endangered shore plover, down to only 130 birds in the wild. In 1991, 14 of these small wading birds were hatched from eggs taken off the island. Incredibly only a year later, the bird paired and bred at one year old, significantly boosting the programme’s success. In 1994, eight captive-bred plover were transferred to Motuora Island in the Hauraki Gulf as a trial release. Since then more than 50 birds have been translocated to the island.

The programme is now at a challenging stage with released birds dispersing to neighbouring estuaries and beaches. To encourage the shore plover to remain on Motuora and establish a self sustaining population, a pair of birds are being held in an aviary on the island to act as a vocal attractant to the others. Further experimentation with the age class of released birds, release timing and the length of time they are held before release are continuing.

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