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Thanks to an active intervention program, at Whangarei Heads we really do have kiwi in our backyard.

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August 10th, 2016

2016 -July Update

We are winning! Kiwi Call Count up Significantly!

As reported last month the annual kiwi call count was recently completed. With the final stations data now in it is worth repeating the summary – because it is good news!

w-16-Kiwi Listeners-ELizabeth-5045-Nocturnal kiwi listeners

 

w-16-Kiwi Listeners-Catherine-5046Brave the cold and dark

Both the number of kiwi calls counted and the number of individual kiwi identified are significant up at the 19 stations listened at. The average call count was 8.1 calls per hour compared to 6.4 calls per hour last year.  162 individual males and 100 females were identified compared with 135 males and 70 females last year (females call less so are underrepresented).   Because only part of the kiwi habitat at the Heads is covered by listening stations this data translates into an estimated population of 810 based on the same assumptions used in past years.  675 was the estimated population last year.  This system of population estimation is only approximate but is the best we have and we use many more stations than most groups to get the best data we can.  We have come a long way from a population of approximately 80 kiwi back in 2001!!!!! Well done to all of you!!

Read all the data on the table of the call count results.

 

Some other happenings:

Kauri Die Back training continues thanks to Martin, Karen and Ngaire.

Final report to Kiwis for Kiwi for the 2015-2016 funding year completed.

Backyard Kiwi 2016 Annual Report

 

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

Catches for July in the predator traps:

Stoats 0, Weasels 1, Cats 0, Rats 46 Hedgehogs 5 and 2 possums.

We have been using chook eggs as lure over the winter but are now changing to salted rabbit as the main hatch of kiwi chicks approaches.

 

What the Kiwi are up to

The breeding season is underway now.

What your radio tracked Backyard Kiwi have been up to:

Darwin – In pampas at Lamb Road. Activity slowly dropping so may be starting to nest.

Lambert – Usual area at Taurikura Ridge. Nesting in pampas, 4 hours nightly activity at day 20, hatch due mid- September.

Mrs Charlie – At Craig road. High activity. 12 hours per night.

Whitu – At Reotahi above the freezing works. He is nesting, with 2 hours activity at day 52 of incubation. Hatch is due mid –August..

EB – He is in the scrub at Kerr road. Activity is still high at 11.5 hours so no nest yet for this young fella.

Tindall – NE side of Mt Manaia, activity dropping down to 9 hours nightly.

Ziggy – Still no signal from this fella. Grant Faber saw a kiwi on Harambee Road on Sunday night and could see the blue transmitter on his leg – meaning it must have been Ziggy, so I thoroughly checked the area the next morning but still no signal.  So definitely looks like transmitter failure.

 

ONE program (funded by Kiwis for Kiwi):

ONE dads are also into their breeding season. Didn’t visit them in July but they should be settling into their nests.

 

Cheers

Todd Hamilton

Backyard Kiwi Project Manager

Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum

M 021 1145 385

E   hamiltont@maxnet.co.nz

 

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