Rediscovering a trans-Tasman migrant: A New Era of Double-Banded Plover Research

The following article was shared to us through the Victorian Waders Study Group.

Double-Banded Plovers are one of the few non-seabird avian species that breed in New Zealand and winter abroad. Early colour-banding efforts in the 1970’s and 80’s by the Ornithological Society of New Zealand and the Victoria Wader Study Group revealed that Double-banded Plover’s wintering in Australia came almost exclusively from populations breeding in the Southern Alps, whereas individuals breeding on coastal sites remained sedentary or exhibited short domestic migrations (Barter & Minton 1987, Stilt 10:9–14; Pierce 1999 Notornis, 46:101–122). In the decades since, the ecosystems utilized by Double-banded Plovers on both sides of the Tasman Sea have experienced many changes, such as an increase in predation pressure (or decrease following eradication), wind- and hydro-electric developments, and a warming climate. These alterations have likely influenced how they schedule their migration, navigate Aotearoa’s flyways, and whether they remain in New Zealand or migrate across the Tasman Sea.

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation and Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence are embarking on a long-term, range-wide project that re-opens the early investigations of Double-banded Plover migration. The project combines large-scale colour-banding with state-of-the-art satellite tracking and population genomics. We aim to understand the factors shaping Double-banded Plover migration behaviour, quantify the extent of gene-flow between migrants and residents, and map the key habitats the species relies on throughout their annual cycle.

Your observations are a vital part of this research. By reporting sightings of marked Double-banded Plovers, you will contribute directly to tracking their movements, understanding their behaviour, and informing conservation efforts. Look out for individuals with a unique combination of four coloured bands or an engraved leg flag (see example photos) and share your sighting via BirdMark ( BIRDMARK will be back on line on 14th April – please look up directly on web. Results will be passed from BirdMark to Katie.

Thank you for your support in advancing our understanding of Double-banded Plover migration. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at b.dot.resighting@doc.govt.nz.

Katie Gray1, Luke Eberhart-Hertel2, Emma Williams1, and Bart Kempenaers2

1Department of Conservation, Christchurch 2Department of Ornithology, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Germany