Bird Protection Areas
The Eastern Bays coastline is home to protected native bird species including the variable oystercatcher and kororā .
Protection of these birds and their habitat is an important part of the Tupua Horo Nuku project, with particular focus given to kororā - one of our most at-risk bird species.
Our Bird Protection Areas.
As part of the environmental mitigation measures of Tupua Horo Nuku, Bird Protection Areas are being established at H.W Shortt Park, Bishop Park, Whiorau Reserve and Sorrento Bay.
These will create habitat for kororā/little blue penguins and variable oystercatcher that are disturbed during construction works. It will include the following:
Signage identifying the area as nesting habitat
Installation of penguin nest boxes
Additional predator traps
Planting of native species throughout the nesting habitat and foredune areas to continue the restoration work already completed by local residents
Upgrade and repair of existing fence and potentially the installation of a suspended rope barrier along the seaward perimeter for certain areas
Established Bird Protection Area at H.W Shortt Park.
Hutt City Council have made changes under the Dog Control Bylaw which include prohibiting dogs from Bird Protection Areas (BPAs) at Sorrento Bay, Whiorau Reserve, CL Bishop Park and HW Shortt Park.
They also include prohibiting dog access at Sorrento Bay and the beach adjacent to CL Bishop Park, and removing the daylight-saving dog restriction at Whiorau Reserve. Dog access at HW Shortt Park outside of the BPA remains unchanged.
Dog owners can still exercise their dogs off-leash on the beach south of Rona Bay wharf from Rata Street to Miro Street. Dogs can also be off-leash at Days Bay north of Days Bay wharf from 1 April to 30 November and between 7pm -10am from 1 December to 31 March.
