Firstly a reminder: Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum AGM on Wednesday May 10 at 7.30pm at the McLeod Bay Hall
ALL Welcome –note we have moved time from 7 to 7.30pm.

Thanks to all those folks that have let us know that they are coming. Please make the effort to come if you can. WHLF is a crucial platform for the various Landcare groups and individuals at the Heads and it enables much of the positive work being done to happen. It would be great if a representative of each group could give a brief update of what their groups is up to.  There will also be a presentation on the impressive progress of the Kiwi Coast initiative.

 

Kiwi Listening starts May 14.
Thanks to all those keen folks that have confirmed that they are ready for kiwi listening.  I will have plenty of copies of the data sheets etc at the AGM so grab some then or let me know what you need.

Even if you are not part of the official kiwi call count now is a great time of year to spend a quiet evening on your deck to hear your kiwi calling. Remember you can use our website to identify the different calls

Backyard Kiwi Predator Control Programme
In the past month there has been repeated localised flash flooding at Manaia  and Kauri Mt which caused ongoing disruption to the trapping network. It has kept me busy reinstating traps, I have had to relocate some traps that have been in place for 15 years – climate change is certainly having an impact.

Kane McElrea from the NRC carried out an audit of the trapping network last week to make sure that it is up to standard.

Catches for month  in the predator traps:
Stoats 0, Weasels 1, Cats 1, Rats 49, Hedgehogs 18 and 5 possums.

Pataua North Landcare kiwi release
Pataua North Landcare kiwi release this Saturday May 6 go to Kiwi Coast website  for details. It will be fantastic to have an increasing population of kiwi north of our area.  Kiwi walking north from the Heads area can link up with these released kiwi and the other remnant populations between us and Tutukaka as part of the Kiwi Coast corridor.  The weather is looking good, we wish Pataua North all the best.

Other Happenings
Lodged submission on NRC Pest Management Plan.
Grant Faber and I attend CSL (poison licence) renewal.

What your radio tracked Backyard Kiwi have been up to:

There are heaps of kiwi calling at the moment,  they are loving this wet autumn and are feeding up for the breeding season.

• Darwin – Has moved away from quarry to bush beside Lamb road. High activity -11.5 hours/night.
• Lambert – Usual area at Taurikura Ridge. In the pampas and high activity of 12 hours/night.
• Whitu – Back at the freezing works Reotahi – activity dropping down to 9 hours/night.
• EB – Has moved to beside the intersection of Kerr road and Rarangi Heights. Activity 12 hours/night.
• Tindall – He has settled into Ody’s paddocks on the Northern end of Manaia.  Activity 11 hours.
• Pakipaki – Moving between the  “Horse paddock” and the Manaia club at McLeods Bay. Activity of 11 hours
• Dudin – At the Northern end of McLeod’s in rank kikuya and pampas there. Activity 12 hours.

ONE program (funded by Kiwis for Kiwi):

The ONE dads at Rarewarewa have all but finished their second round of nesting:

• The Acrobat -.Usual area, Lovell’s’ bush. Transmitter change due but in deep burrow. Activity 11 hours.
• Waimarie – In the paddock north of quarry. A recent night of only 3.5 hours so may be nesting again – if so it would be his fourth for the year.
• Ngutu Roa – Still nesting – activity 6 hours. Hatch due early next month.
• Sancho – Usual area – Lovell’s bush. Did his annual transmitter change- he weighed a healthy 2200g .
• CFU – Usual area – paddock south of reserve.  Did his transmitter change. He was healthy and 2150g.
• Ray – Usual area , 11.5 hours..
• The Boxer – Usual area NW end of reserve. Did his transmitter change. He was good condition and weighed 2400g.

Cheers

Todd Hamilton
Backyard Kiwi Project Manager
Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum

M 021 1145 385

E   hamiltont@maxnet.co.nz