A very hectic November has seen plenty of action on the ground.

Kiwi Release (Funded by Kiwis for Kiwi and Kiwi Coast)

11 November was a busy day with Backyard Kiwi hosting the Tindall Foundation, WWF, Reconnecting Northland, Kiwi Coast and the Warawara Whakaora Ake project.  The day showcased pilot projects  for Reconnecting Northland including Backyard Kiwi as part of the Kiwi Coast initiative.  Part of the day involved meeting kiwi (Tindall and Mabel) from our BNZONE programme before they had their public release at the Heads.

 

The public release held that evening at the Hunts’ farm was attended by 197 locals, who got to hear about their kiwi and what they need to do to look after them (support the trapping, control dogs and watch out for kiwi on the road) before meeting Tindall and Mabel. Mabel was named by Morris and Morris Funerals – one of our proud local supporters.  There were kiwi smiles all round and people very proud of the progress being made with kiwi recovery .

 

Kiwi Predator Control Programme (Funded by NRC and Kiwi Coast):

Catches for November:  Stoats 0, Weasels 3, Cats 4, Rats 58, Hedgehogs 9 and 15 possums. Our spring catch total of 15 weasels this year is by far the biggest in the past 15 years – this is probably a good indicator of low stoat numbers (stoats eat weasels) but this is unlikely to last long as it is this time of year that new young stoats are dispersing and reinvading our trapped areas.

Meetings etc

Another productive meeting by our BYK team has seen the next 10 year Strategic Plan for BYK almost completed.

Had a Kiwi Coast meeting at Tuparehuia Marae, Whangaruru. What a great place for the Kiwi Coast team to work together on the future of the Kiwi Coast initiative. Thank you to Dane Karapu and his team for hosting us.

Injured Kiwi
Local kids at the Nook found a very dehydrated kiwi that couldn’t walk. It was an old large female who had lost the tip of her bill so couldn’t feed properly. The bill had healed but she still couldn’t feed herself so was taken to the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre where she was put down.  It is a possibility that she damaged he bill in a ground set possum trap – if you are trapping for possums the traps should be 700mm off the ground, on a narrow ramp or tree to keep them away from kiwi.

A very young kiwi chick was also found on the Manaia track that was taken to WNBRC. It had a broken leg, possibly from being stood on or being handled incorrectly, it too was put down.

Radio Tracked Kiwi at Whangarei Heads (Funded by NRC)

Most of the dads are back on their second nests.
What your radio tracked Backyard Kiwi have been up 

Darwin – At Lamb Road quarry. He has hatched 2 chicks, his nest was in a pampas bush in an old dump area and had a sheet of corrugated iron for a roof keeping him super dry for the last 3 months.  By the time I could safely go into his nest his first chick had moved on (it had hatched 35 days before) but I managed to catch up with Darwin and his second chick who Parua Bay School are going to name.

Lambert – Usual area at Taurikura Ridge. He has renested and hatch is due late January.

Charlie – At Craig road, has renested already but his activity is quite high so the nest may not last.

Whitu – At Reotahi above the freezing works. Renesting, with 3 hours nightly activity after 21 days, looking good for mid-January hatch.

Dallas – Renesting above the road at the northern end of Taurikura Bay.  The Whangarei Heads School have named one of the chicks ffom his first nest “McCaw” – a great name for a kiwi.

Waka – In his usual area at Mckenzie Bay. The very good news is that he as finally nested again (after losing his first mate to drowning in an uncovered water tank almost 2 years ago). He is nesting on the point between Taurikura and McKenzie Bays. Hatch is due early January.

EB – Still in the scrub near Kerr Road.  9 hours activity.

Tindall – After his release earlier in the month he has been moving north along Mt Manaia. Hopefully he will find a good spot to settle into.

BNZONE program (funded by Kiwis for Kiwi):

Riponui

Rippy – usual area, activity down slightly at 7.5 hrs.

Rewarewa

Ray – Usual area and activity after nesting.

The Acrobat – usual area, still not nesting. Found with very bad rash over much of his body on 5/11/15, when rechecked on 13/11/15 the rash had healed and he had put on 275g of weight- now 2375g showing the strength of these kiwis’ healing powers.. Found new unidentified adult in burrow near The Acrobat – now tp 75D423B, 111.8mm and 2075g M.

Waimarie – In kikuyu by dam, still high activity, BMs done 2500g and MG.

Ngutu Roa– At SW end of reserve. Usual activity after nesting. BMs done 2300g MG.

Sancho – usual area and activity after nesting.

CFU -finished nesting – 2nd egg was dud. Did BMs 1900g PM..

The Boxer– Finished nesting, data stream showed hatch but there was no sign of chick after 13 days. With this guy’s reputation for kicking I hope that he isn’t too rough on his chicks. Found Dad with unidentified female- now tp 7718149, she was only 2350g and 136.3mm.

Have a good December folks – I hope that it isn’t too busy for you!  Don’t forget to drop into The New Day Café at Parua Bay as The Backyard Kiwi and the Free Range Kiwi are going up on display from 7th of December through to the 18th January there. Some great xmas presents to be had in the tea towel for $15 and the apron for $35.  Order on line