This is the message from the DOC ranger, 22/4/20 on how to ID the shore plovers….

Kia ora keen tūturuatu/shore plover spotters,

First off, thanks to you all for being the eyes on the mainland for these special birds. Your sightings have been invaluable in tracking the movements of birds from Mana Island since the first release this year on February 13th. Since then there have been three transfers with a total of 31 birds arriving to Mana. Attached are the band combinations of all 31 birds (note, four birds only have one colour band). In an attempt to streamline the info coming in could we please ask from now on:

  • Record date, time, location and colour band info for each sighting as best you can
  • Send pictures only if all colour bands are clear and identifiable
  • Include other useful info i.e. feeding behaviour, other birds close by, any sign of predators etc
  • Collate your sightings and please send through weekly, on a Friday
  • Please email all info and images to manaisland@doc.govt.nz, rcollen@doc.govt.nz and Cc btandy@doc.govt.nz.

Thanks again and hopefully we see some of the more exploratory birds back on Mana soon…  Cheers Nick

           
Mana Island shore plover band combos 2020  
           
  Band colours Sex Transfer date Release date Comments (incl. recent locations seen)
1 RO-BG F 5/02/20 13/02/20  
2 RO-BR M 5/02/20 13/02/20  
3 RO-BW M 5/02/20 13/02/20 Mana Island
4 RO-BY F 5/02/20 13/02/20 Mana Island
5 RO-GO M 5/02/20 13/02/20  
6 RO-GR M 5/02/20 13/02/20  
7 RO-GW F 5/02/20 13/02/20 Hutt River mouth
8 RO-OB F 5/02/20 13/02/20  
9 RO-OG F 5/02/20 13/02/20  
10 RO-OR F 5/02/20 13/02/20  
11 RO-OY F 5/02/20 13/02/20  
12 RO-RB F 5/02/20 13/02/20  
13 RO-RG M 5/02/20 13/02/20  
14 RO-RO M 5/02/20 13/02/20  
15 RO-RW M 5/02/20 13/02/20 22/2/20 – transferred to Wildbase
16 RO-RY F 5/02/20 13/02/20  
17 RO-WB   5/02/20 13/02/20 Miramar Peninsular, Hutt River mouth
18  — B F 25/03/20 3/04/20  
19  — O F 25/03/20 3/04/20 Plimmerton
20  — R F 25/03/20 3/04/20 Plimmerton
21  W — F 25/03/20 3/04/20 Plimmerton
22 YO-RB M 25/03/20 3/04/20 Mana Island
23 YO-RY M 25/03/20 3/04/20 Mana Island
24 YO-WB F 25/03/20 3/04/20 Plimmerton
25 YO-WG F 25/03/20 3/04/20  
26 YO-WO F 25/03/20 3/04/20 Titahi Bay
27 RO-BO M 11/04/20 20/04/20 Mana Island
28 RO-WO F 12/04/20 20/04/20 Mana Island
29 RO-WR   13/04/20 20/04/20 Mana Island
30 RO-YR M 14/04/20 20/04/20 Mana Island
31 RO-GY F 15/04/20 20/04/20 Mana Island