EPISODE · Mar 19, 2026 · 5 MIN
Massive challenge to keep fairy tern birds alive
from Checkpoint
The fairy tern; one of Aotearoa's smallest birds remains in big trouble after a turbulent breeding season saw a third of the eggs or new hatched chicks eaten by predators. 29 tara iti eggs were laid across three of the birds' four breeding sites this season, but keeping them alive reamins a massive challenge. There are only about 40 adult fairy tern or tara iti. Department of Conservation tara iti recovery programme lead Alex Wilson spoke to Lisa Owen.
What this episode covers
The fairy tern; one of Aotearoa's smallest birds remains in big trouble after a turbulent breeding season saw a third of the eggs or new hatched chicks eaten by predators. 29 tara iti eggs were laid across three of the birds' four breeding sites this season, but keeping them alive reamins a massive challenge. There are only about 40 adult fairy tern or tara iti. Department of Conservation tara iti recovery programme lead Alex Wilson spoke to Lisa Owen.
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Massive challenge to keep fairy tern birds alive
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