More protection is on the cards for birds nesting on North Canterbury's Ashley-Rakahuri River

Local Democracy Reporting says the Waimakariri District Council will look at a Department of Conservation proposal to close the upper part of the river to vehicles.

The lower end already has an Environment Canterbury enforced ban for nesting season.

Mayor Dan Gordon has requested a report for next month's meeting.

A DOC spokesperson says the upper section is home to one of the last native biodiversity strongholds on the plains.