September Update
2012 003
September was a very busy month for our 6 nesting dads – they have stuck to their nests well and have hatched 9 chicks between them!
· Darwin – At Lamb Road , had his first chick hatch on 25 August. Unusually the chick was still in his nest 36 days later with Dad still patiently sitting on his second egg – that’s 100 days of incubation so far.
· Whitu- At Reotahi, hatched 2 chicks – 1st hatch 16/8/12, 2nd hatch approx 7/9/12. 2nd chick was named “Jamie” by Kane of the NRC who was helping with nest checks. Whitu was 1940g and in reasonable condition after nesting – he now has a new transmitter. In the photo of him you can see Reotahi carpark in the background.
Dallas chicks Tauri and Kura
· Dallas- Has been nesting by the sewage pumping station below the school- he has hatched 2 chicks (14/9/12 and approx 30/9/12) These chicks have been named by the Hill’s (the landowners) grand kids “Tauri” and “ Kura ” –see photo.
· Lambert- Has also hatched 2 chicks -1st hatch 23/8/12, 2nd hatch approx 3/9/12. The old chick has been named “ Sandy ” by Audrey Rhodes who kindly does our accounts. Lambert has continued to be difficult to catch in pampas- even snuck out the back of his nest. If I catch up with him I will remove transmitter to save hassling him in the pampas.
Lamberts chicks sept 2012 003
· Waka- Unfortunately his nest failed after approximate 45 days for an unknown reason -couldn’t find nest in pampas to investigate eggs. Did however catch up with Waka for his annual transmitter change. He was a very healthy 2420g.
· Charlotte- (Waka’s mate) Has been wandering around the Mckenzie Bay area.
· JR- His transmitter data stream has shown that he has hatched 2 chicks – (1st hatch 16/9/12) – but his nest is deep in a patch of kiekie and can’t check it out without disturbing him so have left it be..
· Charlie- Landowner James McNamnara helped me with Charlie’s transmitter change– he is now 2150g and pretty much fully grown. Photo attached.
· Drummond – This is the young kiwi we released at Zac Smith’s place back in July. I caught up with her near the release site, she was 1300g in weight and looking well settled in to her new home.