63 EMROP: Waihi North Project WAI-985-000-PLN-LC-0001_Rev0 clean 6 AVIFAUNA MANAGEMENT PLAN This Avifauna Management Plan outlines the methods that will be used to avoid, remedy, or mitigate any potential adverse effects on avifauna (birds) occurring within or temporarily utilising the WNP area. Native forest birds are legally protected by the Wildlife Act 1953 and significant habitats2 for indigenous fauna are protected under the Resource Management Act 1991. No birds of conservation concern (i.e. those listed as ‘Threatened’ or ‘At Risk’ by the NZCTS; Robertson et al., 2017) have been recorded within the WNP area (Bioresearches, 2020). Though, it is anticipated that New Zealand dotterel and New Zealand pipit could benefit from activities associated with WNP (Waihi area). 6.1 SUMMARY OF AVIFAUNA VALUES AND EFFECTS The WNP will require the removal of approximately 25.7 ha of vegetation, including native, exotic and plantations. These areas provide roosting, nesting and foraging habitat for local avifauna communities and the potential adverse effects of the proposed works on avifauna may include: • Loss of habitat and associated resources from the local landscape; • Noise-, dust-, or light-associated disturbance to nesting behaviour and nesting success or to sensitive birds; and • Injury or mortality of eggs, chicks, and brooding females during the breeding season, as a result of vegetation clearance. Notwithstanding these potential effects, the largely exotic assemblage of bird species within the WNP area has led to the magnitude of effects of the vegetation loss being considered Low. Acknowledging that native birds are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953, protocols to avoid or manage adverse effects are proposed. 6.2 PROTOCOLS FOR AVOIDING OR MANAGING EFFECTS ON AVIFAUNA The potential effects on avifauna can be avoided or minimised through the following management measures: • Constraints on vegetation clearance or with pre-clearance nest survey • Constraints on noise-, dust-, or light-associated disturbances • Accidental injury or mortality to native avifauna. 2 Significant habitats for avifauna include those that provide breeding and food resources and/ or important roosting sites.
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