Roost a boost for birds and humans

Andersons Bay inlet's diverse population of birds will soon have a new place to roost, safe from humans and pets.

Construction began yesterday on a rocky islet, about 30m long, near eastern Marne St.

Save the Otago Peninsula (STOP) project co-ordinator Dr Jill Hamel said after two years of planning, including getting resource consent from the Otago Regional Council, it was wonderful to see the roost get under way.

"I'm quite chuffed."

The project had been sponsored by STOP and funding was provided by Otago Community Trust, the Dunedin City Council's biodiversity fund, the Greenwood Trust and engineering firm, MWH New Zealand Ltd.

STOP spokeswoman Lala Frazer said STOP was very excited about the project, which would allow people to see birds close up without disturbing them.

During a survey, Dr Hamel discovered more than 16 species of birds, mostly gulls, shags and ducks, spent time in the shallow, sheltered inlet that was rich in weed and fish.

Nearby Bayfield Park provided a good feeding ground in wet weather for red-billed gulls and two species of oyster catchers.

However, many of these birds were disturbed by walkers and joggers around the edge of the inlet and dogs chasing them off Bayfield Park, she said.

She hoped the low rocky island, isolated from the banks of the inlet, would provide a safe roost for the birds and possibly attract others.

In terms of a bird's energy budget, a safe roost was as important as an ample food supply, she said.

The roost had been designed to provide a surface suitable for the birds which most commonly used the area, she said.

While the islet would be on crown land, Dr Hamel was responsible for its maintenance. She declined to say how much the project cost but at an annual plan hearing last year, she suggested the cost was capped at $80,000.

- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz