Dotterels return to nest

Three pairs of northern New Zealand dotterels had returned to Home Bay by Saturday 27th September and one pair already had a nest with three eggs. We placed a protective cage over the nest, which is just north of the normal landing area, and were pleased to see the female immediately return to sit on her eggs. Both birds had been caught and flagged in November 2022. The female is EDX and the male is CXZ. Alistair Owens who visited the Island on the 4th September took these great photos.