Ben Reid

$1,750

53.5 x 78.5 cm

‘Stepping Lightly’ focuses on the plight of the New Zealand Dotterel. The Dotterel is susceptible to predation by cats, stoats, rats and hedgehogs because of the placement of its nests on exposed beach sites and lack of any substantial nest construction. The invasion of its habitat by coastal development, vehicles and general beach usage by people also disrupts breeding. Dotterels will cleverly fake an injury in order to divert attention of would-be predators and invaders of nesting areas. Some of the birds depicted in this print are performing this intelligent trick. In addition to this, I reveal some of the factors that have contributed to the sharp decline of the New Zealand Dotterel population.