The expansion of a coastal South Island settlement is turning into a crash hazard for a species of migrating bird.
Department of Conservation Ranger Mike Morrissey says Hutton's shearwaters are mistaking roads around Kaikoura for flat expanses of water.
He says the birds usually crash land into tussock, but in this case they're crash-landing into buildings and other hard surfaces.
Mr Morrissey says most of the Hutton's shearwaters are just knocked about and disorientated, and not many have been seriously injured.
He says anyone who finds an injured bird should take it down to the beach and launch it.
