The 2006 birdlife survey of the Hurunui River - results and management

Abstract

A formal survey of birdlife of the Hurunui River was undertaken during December 2006, following a long period of intense flooding in the river. Braided parts of the upper river contained relatively intact natural habitat but relatively low numbers of most bird species. The highest numbers of key braided river bed bird species observed in the upper catchment were on the South Branch between the Lake Mason outlet stream and the gorge and on the North Branch delta between the swing bridge and Lake Sumner. On the lower river, the braided sections from Mandamus to Lowry Hills and from State Highway 1 to the sea, including the lagoon, contained impressive numbers of three nationally important braided river-dependent bird species; black-fronted tern, black-billed gull and banded dotterel. The braided sections of the Hurunui and the river in total should be considered nationally important for birdlife. Most notably the river supports between 5-12% of the end􀀬ic black-fronted tern population, classified by the Department of Conservation as 'Chronically threatened: nationally endangered'. The management and research recommendations included in this report should be implemented prior to further water resource development on the river.