Royal Spoonbill …
NZ Status Native: Conservation Status: Naturally uncommon Population: 2360 Snells Beach Population: 16-20 and increasing, mainly during the winter months with juveniles remaining later, feeding over the sand flats and inter tidal flow, at high tide they roost on the beach or in tall trees however due to increased human disturbance and every tall tree being felled beachfront with only 2 Macrocarpas remaining in the center of the beach they now have to high tide roost at the Snells sewerage plant. Threats Royal spoonbills are very sensitive to disturbance and are vulnerable to development, loss of habitat and recreational activities. It was our hope they would start breeding here as the Snells sandflats and large inter tidal flow is an ideal feeding area however contracting Avian Botulism from now having to roost at the sewerage plant is more likely.