Firstly a big thank you to all those that attend the recent Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum AGM. Great to have a big turn out and even better to hear from the individual local Landcare groups who are part of the Forum.

We heard about all sorts of work being done by: Reotahi/Mt Aubrey Landcare, Papakarahi LC, Bream Head CT, Ocean Beach LC, Taiharuru Catchment Care, Manaia LC, Taurikura Ridge LC, Lamb Road LC, and Kohinui LC. If you want to become part of any of these groups please let me know and I will put you in touch with them. We also had updates on the two Heads wide projects: Weed Action Whangarei Heads (Jo Barr) and Backyard Kiwi, and to look at the bigger picture Martin Hunt gave a presentation on the rapidly expanding Kiwi Coast initiative that we are part of. Thanks to our hard working committee and particularly Chairperson Philip King, Secretary Helen Moodie and Treasurer Audrey Rhodes. WHLF provides an important platform that allows the local Landcare groups to operate efficiently and get on with the work on the ground. The minutes of the meeting are attached.

Kiwi Listening 

Thanks to all those keen folks that have been involved in our annual kiwi count from 20 listening stations throughout the Heads.   The data sheets are coming in thick and fast now. Fay and I will collate them and I hope to have a summary out soon.

Backyard Kiwi Predator Control Programme

As expected for this time of year stoat catches have slowed down. Catches for month  in the predator traps:Stoats 1, Weasels 5, Cats 16, Rats 61, Hedgehogs 11 and 4 possums.

Other Happenings

• Attended very informative Landcare Research day on current scientific research on pest control eg new stoat lures, DNA population modelling of kiwi from crap samples, more bio-controls for weeds. Great to have some big brains working hard on our pest problems. This ongoing scientific research is essential.
• Transfer and release of kiwi “Violet Barbara” from Limestone to Tanekaha.
• Martin gave BYK submission at hearing on NRC Pest Management Plan.
• Attended Targeted Rate meeting to report on work carried out.
• Heather has updated the kiwi profiles on the BYK website

What your radio tracked Backyard Kiwi have been up to:
The kiwi are mainly still very active feeding up for nesting. Activity should be starting to drop soon as the dads settle onto nests.

• Darwin – Has moved back to the quarry. Did his annual transmitter change. He was in good condition ready for breeding season at 2270g. His activity is still 12 hours per night.
• Unfortunately one of his recent chicks turned up drowned in a pool.  The chick was only 3.5 months old but had already grown to 910g – not far short of the magic 1000g where she could fight of a stoat. This is a very high growth rate, probably because of the wet autumn meaning she had plenty of food. We knew it was Darwin’s chick because I had ID chipped it at the nest.

  

• Lambert – Usual area at Taurikura Ridge. In the pampas and high activity of 11.5 hours/night.
• Whitu – Back at the freezing works Reotahi – activity dropping down to 7 hours/night so may be nesting.
• EB – He is beside the intersection of Kerr road and Rarangi Heights. Activity 12 hours/night.
• Tindall – He had his 6 monthly transmitter band change done and was in good nick at 2000g. His activity is 11.5 hours, he was in Ody’s paddock at the top of the hill.
• Pakipaki – Moving between the  “Horse paddock” and the Manaia club at McLeods Bay. Activity of 11.5 hours. Because he is less than 2 years old and still growing I did his 3 monthly band check.  He was in the paddock below the Club – 1725g and healthy. See attached pic
• Dudin – at the Northern end of McLeod’s in rank kikuya and pampas there. He also needed his band checked 3 months after his release – he was deep in the pampas and has grown to 1875g and is healthy. See attached pic. Activity 11 hours

ONE program (funded by Kiwis for Kiwi):

The ONE dads at Rarewarewa are also feeding up for nesting:.

• The Acrobat –.Usual area, Lovell’s’ bush. Transmitter change due but still hiding in deep burrow. Activity 11 hours.
• Waimarie – In the paddock north of quarry. Back up to 11 hours nightly activity after a dip last month..
• Ngutu Roa- his last nest of the season failed- no sign of eggs in deep burrow. I did his transmitter change, he is in excellent condition at 2575g.
• Sancho- Usual area – Lovell’s bush. Activity 12.5 hours.
• CFU – Usual area – paddock south of reserve.  Activity of 11 hours.
• Ray- Usual area east of big slip, 12 hours nightly activity.
• The Boxer- not checked this month.

Cheers

Todd Hamilton

Backyard Kiwi Project Manager

Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum