New Zealand Dotterel and Eggs
Onemana Beach is home to the endangered New Zealand Dotterel and some Oystercatchers. Areas of the beach are fenced off from September to February to endeavour to protect the Dotterels and variable Oystercatchers during their nesting season. These birds easily abandon their nests if they are disturbed.
Image source: Wikipedia
Local volunteers work hard to protect the vulnerable Dotterels. Daily checks are made on the nests and chicks during the breeding season and attempts are made to preserve the nests from incursions of high tides and pests (such as Black back gulls, rats, hedgehogs, stoats and feral cats). You will know if you are nearing a nest when the parents try to lure you away pretending to be injured. If you see this behaviour suspect an unprotected nest nearby. Please inform the Dotterel volunteer team of the nest location- Chris McDonald 021 620448, Dean Campbell 027 4903957 or Les Fleming 021 790459.
During the breeding season the public are requested to keep clear of the areas where birds are nesting to avoid disturbing the birds and their chicks, and also to keep their dogs under control by keeping them on their leash, unless on the north end of the beach where dogs are generally able to roam freely.
Dotterel Season 2026
1 September - Very quiet beach.
Middle beach nest still only one egg. Should have two or three eggs by now. There is a lot of foot traffic around the nest so that would have been disturbing. I expect that this nest/egg has now been abandoned. There are two birds nearby but not interested. We can leave the roped area for the moment, and see what happens.
Other than the two birds near the nest there are no other Dotterels on the beach, no other birds either.
There are strict DOC and TCDC dog regulations for the beach, reserves and public places. On the beach north of Castle Rock dogs may run freely all year except occasionally there may be some restrictions when there is a nest or chicks roaming. Dogs are not allowed South of Castle Rock from Labour weekend until March 1st due to Dotterels nesting and breeding. At all other times dogs must be on a leash south end. These rules are published on signs at the entrance to the beach reserve in the car parks. It is important that these regulations are respected and followed in order to protect the fragile populations of Dotterels and wild life in and around the village.
There are doggy bags available at the entrance to the reserves so owners can collect their dog droppings and place in rubbish bins provided. TCDC dog rangers regularly patrol the reserve and beach. Regular Dotterel updates can be found on the beach notice board and in news letters sent to ORCA members during the breeding season to raise public awareness of the status of these vulnerable birds.
Onemana Predator Free -
Pest control is undertaken by the local residents. We now have over 50 traps at people's homes, with catch numbers recorded monthly. Onemana has a high incidence of rabbits, rats, hedgehogs, possums and stoats in the village and on the reserves and beach. Rat, hedgehog and stoat traps are laid in the dunes near the reserves and by streams to help control the pest numbers in order to protect our wildlife. Possum, rat and mice traps are installed in some homes around the village as well as rat poison stations. If you have any questions concerning pest control contact Les Fleming 021 790459 or les@lesfleming.com
Predator Capture - Aug 2026
Backyard Kills = 12
Backyard YTD = 104
Beach & Stream Kills = 12
Beach & Stream YTD = 86
Predator Capture - July 2026
Backyard Kills = 2
Backyard YTD = 92
Beach & Stream Kills = 9
Beach & Stream YTD = 68
Onemana Coast Care -
The Onemana Beach and reserve are protected by well established dunes maintained and re-vigoured by local residents assisted by Coromandel Coastcare. Dunes are constantly weeded and thousands of new plants are planted each year. Paths and walkways are provided to keep people off the dunes and to allow plants to flourish. If you wish to know more of the work that is being done (or volunteer help) contact Les Fleming 021 790459 or les@lesfleming.com.
Planting - September 2026
Welcome to some new planters at Onemana.
10th September, 2026
Last Thursday the Whangamata Real Estate team and some Onemana dune planting regulars, planted 608 dune plants, in the Onemana dunes.
Whangamata Real Estate provided sponsorship for some plants and Coromandel Coast Care provided the balance. The Spinifex, Muehlenbeckia and Pingoa were planted in the dunes just north of the surf club, and the Knobby around the dune edges.
Our thanks to Sarah Speedy of Whangamata Real Estate for organising the sponsorship and team for the planting. And thanks to Sam of Coastcare for organising and providing plants.
So, thanks to everyone, Whangamata Real Estate and Onemana locals, for the planting.
15th September, 2026
Opoutere School students came to Onemana and helped plant 144 Spinifex. They also learned about water safety, Dotterels, and dune protection. They had a great time.
Also planted that day were another 1040 plants - 576 Spinifex, 336 Knobby and 128 Muehlenbeckia in front and in the dunes in front of the Surf Club. Huge thanks to Coastcare for the plants, and to everyone who helped.
Dune Planting - August 2026
We had a great turnout - 23 helpers including 4 cooks. We planted 768 Knobby Club Rush, 336 Spinifex, 64 Muehlenbeckia, 48 pingo, 10 flax = a total of 1,226 plants. Most were planted in the fenced off area at the north end of the North Reserve, with some Knobby Club Rush also being planted on the South Reserve dune edges.
A big thanks to Sam Telfar of Coastcare, providing not just the plants and equipment, but also the food for the BBQ. Thanks to Ted and Irene who cooked up the sausages ready for when we finished. And another thank you to Jill and Patsy for their baking. It was great.
And to everyone planting THANK YOU
Sometime November/December we will be weeding the dunes, so please keep your eye out for an email regarding that.
Regards and thanks again
