A Dog's Breakfast

Napier dog owners are invited to a free Dogs Breakfast while taking their dogs for a walk at the Ahuriri Estuary (Humber St Reserve, Pandora Pond) on Saturday 17 September.  Breakfast for both dogs and owners will be provided between 9.00 am and 10.30 am.

The event is being organised by Department of Conservation, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council, and Enviroschools Hawke’s Bay to increase people’s awareness of how dogs and birds can successfully share the estuary environment. 

“This is a new idea for Napier,” says Sally Chandler, HBRC’s Community Engagement Coordinator, “but similar events are held in other regions and are very popular.”

The Dog’s Breakfast menu for both humans and dogs is kindly supported by Napier City Pak’nSave. Dogs are also in to win awesome spot prizes donated by Purina and Masterpet, while their owners can learn from experts about bird life in the area.

Dr Phil Battley from Massey University's Ecology Group will be on hand to talk about some of the migratory birds that inhabit the estuaries.  He’ll also explain how long-distance migration affects the biology and annual cycles of birds and, in particular, the amazing flight of the kuaka/bar-tailed godwit, which travels further than any other known bird. 

Napier City Council Animal Control staff will talk about the current by-laws, especially around dogs on a lead.

HBRC’s Coastal Scientist Anna Madarasz-Smith says that the organisers want to support use of this estuary as a shared space for people, dogs and birds, while protecting the birds from disturbance. “The migratory birds will arrive very tired after weeks in the air, so will have a bit of ‘jet lag’ and need to rest and eat undisturbed.”

16 September 2016

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