LIFESTYLER
April 23 2013
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P10–11
Pelicans make Naumai home by Rose Rees-Owen
Fourteen Australian Pelicans, or ‘overstayers’ as one Ruawai resident referred to them, seem to have made the Naumai mudflats near Ruawai their home.
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Three Rs and a tee
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They were first spotted by Wayne Elyes and Zach Matich in August 2012 and numerous fishers say they have seen them regularly since. “It was exciting — I’ve seen a few things in the outdoors but it was the first time I have seen pelicans in New Zealand. They’re still there and you occasionally see them fly over Te Kopuru,” says Wayne. “I see them around once a week, they move around the mudflats usually fishing in groups of around three or four,” says fisherman, Ron Matich. A Naumai resident known as Al Bundy last saw them over Easter and says that if you are quiet, they’ll come within 100 metres of you. Transient sightings have also been reported from Kerikeri, Waipu Cove, Mangawhai, Rangaunu Harbour, Whangarei and Waitemata Harbour. Northland representative for the Ornithological Society New Zealand, Janet Snell says pelicans are social birds and seem happy to associate with humans, particularly where fishing occurs. “A far greater hazard than bird watchers will be the disturbance caused by dogs and firearms during the coming waterfowl season.” Department of Conservation ranger, Darren Jones, says duck hunting season begins in May. He adds that the pelicans are a protected species and advises extra caution should be taken to not mistake a pelican for a duck.
Photo: Jan Bellamy
Australian Pelicans seem to have made the Naumai mudflats their home.
In Queensland, they typically breed in “We’ve got to wait to see if they stick springtime, although it varies, and there around — no one wants to set up a have been no reports of chick sightings. tourism operation unless they are going Janet says it will be difficult for the to be permanent.” pelicans to establish Many hope the a viable breeding Australian feathered “A far greater population but not visitors become hazard than bird impossible and if they permanent residents watchers will be the do attempt to breed, with tourism they will become wary interests peaking disturbance caused of approach. when the news first by dogs and firearms Tourism operators broke. during the coming are cautious “It would be waterfowl season.” of setting up neat if we had sightseeing ventures another attraction,” and chair of the Ruawai Promotion and says Dargaville and Kauri Coast Development Group, Bruce Crompton Visitor Information Centre owner, says its ‘early days.’ Sue Taylor. ■
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