As part of the 2023 Bird of the Year campaign, Science Communication graduates and wildlife photographers Abi Liddell, Brady Clarke, and Isabella Lewis released a ten-minute short film Underbirds: The Fight to Save the Southern New Zealand Dotterel. Pukunui are New Zealand’s most endangered bird species with only 101 known birds living on Rakiura (Stewart Island). While the Pukunui lost the election last year, their numbers continue to dwindle. Critic Te Ārohi spoke to the filming crew about their love of birds, experience making the film, and why the Pukunui should secure your vote in this year's most important election.
The short film interviews two important members of the Department of Conservation: Daniel Cocker and Guy McDonald. They are part of a recovery team formed in 2022 to help preserve the Southern New Zealand Dotterel. The team mainly focuses on trapping around Ka Puketuroto, a major breeding ground for the Pukunui. Interviewed in the film, Daniel described the bird as “the rarest bird you’ve never heard of.” This is due to its endangered status, resulting from a number of pests such as cats, deer and ferrets attacking the birds or eating their eggs. “We need to be out there as much as we can,” says Daniel.
The filming of the documentary took place in 2023, which the students described as a “whirlwind of firsts for us.” These ‘firsts’ involved trekking through murky swamps and getting their hiking boots and thermals soggy and frozen in the process. Another notable first was learning how to eat salmon out of a can. “I learned the vertebrae are soft enough for you to chew right through them,” said Brady. Both Brady and Abi highly commend the full-time rangers that work there due to the physical and mental stamina it takes to help fight for the lives of the Pukunui. Ranger Guy McDonald mentions that the lack of funding, among other things, limits their ability to save the birds. “Staff capability and effective pest control [make it difficult]. We cover over 50 km of land with 100 traps we have to maintain ourselves.” He does note that there are some positives. “I think my favourite thing about being a ranger is seeing positive outcomes when you put in a lot of work.”
Bird of the Year always loves a good controversy. Last year John Oliver managed to crash the competition by getting the entire world to vote for the Pūteketeke. In 2021 the inclusion of the Long-Tailed Bat fired up bird lovers who fiercely fought against it, but it didn’t matter in the end as it won regardless. Then in 2020 there were many fraudulent votes for the Little Spotted Kiwi. There’s been no controversy so far this year (apart from a minor Critic and Radio One rivalry), so Abi and Brady are hoping for a win for the Pukunui.
You can watch the short documentary Underbirds: The Fight to Save the Southern New Zealand Dotterel on the Department of Conservation’s YouTube channel. You can also visit www.birdoftheyear.org.nz to vote for the Pukunui and donate to the cause.