January was a busy month for Backyard Kiwi happenings
Kiwi Release at McLeod Bay
Thank you for the big team effort that made the release at Dudins’ farm so
successful. There were 50 people at the blessing at Onerahi and then a
whopping 350 at the Heads. The big crowd were keen to hear about our kiwi
recovery work and even more keen to see wild kiwi up close in their own
backyard. Things went very well – people were patient and got the chance to
get up close to the kiwi and all 3 birds were great (see photos).
It is always pleasing to see the “kiwi” smiles on the faces of the people
lucky enough to welcome these wild animals to their new home.
Released birds were:
“Nita”, 1925g and 100.1mm bill length – named after Nita
Oxborrow who recently passed away.
“FOMLI” 1450g and 84.0mm- named in recognition of “Friends
of Matakohoe/Limestone Island” – thanks to Pam and her team – especially
Bernie the Island ranger.
“Inyoni” (this means Bird in Zulu), 1425g and 79.0mm – named
by our latest “proud supporters” Fay and Nigel Clayton of McLeods Bay-
welcome to the team and thanks for you financial support.
Kiwi Coast “Release”
As part of our combined BNZONE work with BHCT and Tutukaka LC we took the
opportunity to have a kiwi “release” experience for the Kiwi coast Landcare
groups that are between the Heads and Tutukaka. One of the kiwi we caught
on Limestone recently has had plenty of relatives come to the Heads so it
was decided that her good breeding genes should go elsewhere. She (“Goldie”
1850g, 108.9mm) went to the community project at Maranui (inland from
Mangawai). On the way there she met the Limestone Island Golden Bay
sponsorship crew at the blessing before visiting Kiwi coast groups (80
people) at the Cooks’ at Owhiwa road and then into Doc ranger Rolf’s safe
hands for trip south. We can’t release kiwi into the Owhiwa road area
directly without an approved translocation plan from Doc so this was a way
for people there to see kiwi up close without actually doing a release
there. We have had good feed back about this kiwi event and hopefully it
adds to the momentum of the Kiwi Coast work. See
http://www.landcare.org.nz/Regional-Focus/Whangarei-Office/Kiwi-Coast for
more information on the Kiwi coast.
Dead Kiwi at Owhiwa road
“James” 6E6AD55 1625g, 88.4mm was found drowned in a cattle trough at Owhiwa
rd. He was a wild hatched chick (28/2/13) of Darwin’s from Lamb road. This
is further evidence of the “Kiwi Coast” movement of kiwi happening. Also
hopefully it is a positive indication of the effectiveness of the increased
trapping happening in the area. The trough has some rocks in it now.
Kiwiana
This is the kiwi that broke his leg last October. He was flown back up to
Whangarei up from Massey and was released quietly back in his territory at
Blicks’ at Manaia/Taurikura. The Massey vets have done a great job and he is
walking freely. I put a transmitter with a temporary band only on him so I
can monitor his activity daily for awhile – once he has settled back in I
will either remove the tx or let it fall off -so far his activity and
location show that he has settled in back at home. You may have seen the
story “7 sharp” did on TV about him – link to view is
http://tvnz.co.nz/seven-sharp/kiwis-in-rehab-video-5824760
What else has been happening?:
Whangarei Heads:
Waka – He has finished his second nest. 1st hatch was on
18/12/13 and I tried to get a look at his nest in early January when his
activity was rising. Because the nest was deep in pampas I couldn’t get to
it without risking squashing the chicks so didn’t get to ID chip the chicks-
also a wasp nest there wasn’t much fun.
Darwin – Nesting at Lamb rd quarry.
JR – South Taurikura Ridge- 2nd nest hatch is due but his
activity has been high for nesting (6 hours).
Lambert – His transmitter data stream indicated hatches on
9/1/14 and around 30/1/14 but Martin Hunt and I were unable to get to his
nest safely (for him and his chicks) as it is in a patch of dense pampas.
This guy is a great breeder but he is also a real pain to monitor so his
transmitter is definitely coming off the next time I catch up with him!
Whitu – usual area- high activity.
Charlie – After his 1st egg hatched on 14/12/13 he finally
hatched his second chick 24 days later – he was named “Bob” by McNamnara’s.
By then the 1st chick had moved out of the nest but I did get to do
Charlie’s annual transmitter change at the same time.
Dallas – He hatched 2 chicks – 11/1/14 and around 19/1/14 – I
inserted their ID micro chips and took feather samples for DNA records from
the chicks. The two have been named “Iwi” and “McGregory” by landowners and
school. Dallas also had his annual transmitter change done.
Webb – Pleased to have found her signal again – back on the
south side of Kauri Mt.
Bill – this is the wild bird found in November with Webb. He
has remained in a similar spot.
Lucky – the wild bird found in the water tank at McKenzie Bay
has moved up the hill a bit.