2018 – February Update
Kiwi Release –March 11 5.30pm kick off
Things are coming together for the kiwi release planned for Sunday March 11. The BYK committee is working hard to make sure the release runs smoothly. It will be at Parua Bay on the Ross property behind the community centre – so there will be plenty of parking with a short walk down to the rugby field. I have been visiting landowners down that way and there is plenty of excitement about the release. The release starts at 5.30pm. More information about the day here
It is going to be a very busy day as FOMLI are having a special event on Limestone Island beforehand to celebrate sending off the 150th kiwi from the crèche. It is fantastic to have the FOMLI managed Limestone/Matakohoe Island crèche in our area – it is where we drop off our ONE chicks to put on a bit of size before transferring them to the various release sites in the community managed areas. Thanks to the hard work of the many involved over the years to make it so successful, especially the Island Rangers we have worked with: Colin, Pete & Cathy, Ben & Jo, Bernie and Emma & Jono.
Backyard Kiwi Predator Control Programme:
Catches for February in the predator traps:
Stoats 2, Weasels 2, Cats 4, Rats 52, Hedgehogs 11 and 10 possums.
The usual summer spike in stoat numbers has dropped off as expected, this happens as the dispersal of this season’s stoats from outside trapped areas slows. With the hot, wet weather the salted rabbit lure isn’t lasting too well so I’m using eggs as a lure in a few of the wetter spots and am flat out getting around the traps.
Kiwi happenings
The monitored dads have finished their second round of nesting for the season. The warm, wet conditions mean that there is an abundance of tucker for the kiwi- including plenty of crickets in the paddocks – so the adults should be feeding up well after breeding and the new chicks should be finding food easily. The longer nights mean there is more time for kiwi to do other stuff too and there is a fair bit of kiwi calling going on so we may get some late season breeding. On the flipside the conditions mean that there are heaps of ticks on the kiwi and this can slow the chicks growth.
What your radio tracked Backyard Kiwi have been up to:
Darwin – After finishing his second nest he has moved away from the quarry and up Lamb road towards the village. He will be one of the first kiwi calling to welcome the released kiwi next week.
Lambert – Usual area at Taurikura Ridge. Feeding up after nests –activity is 10.5 hours per night.
Whitu – Usual area at freezing works ruins at Reotahi, activity is 9.5 hours per night.
EB – In the pampas at Kerr road. Feeding up after his first successful nest. Nightly activity is 10.5 hours.
Pakipaki – Has moved from the pampas by the Manaia Club back down to the horse paddock in McLeod Bay. Activity is high.
ONE program (funded by Kiwis for Kiwi):
Rewarewa: Still only The Boxer that has re-nesting to date.
The Acrobat – Usual area in Lovell’s fenced bush. Still no sign of nesting but he was cuddled up with female 75D423B (he was with the same young female on 13/11/15 and 29/6/17) so they may breed this season yet. She was 2400g, 124.4mm and Moderate condition. He was 2200g and MG condition and had his transmitter band changed.
Waimarie – not nesting. 8 hours activity. usual area Lovell’s bush.
Ngutu Roa – not nesting 10 hours activity, has moved more to the western end of the reserve.
Sancho – Not nesting, 9 hours, usual area Lovell’s fenced bush.
CFU – Not nesting, activity 9.5 hours, did BMs: 2025g and M condition. He was in the rushes in the paddock north of his usual area. Probably out feeding on the crickets.
Ray – Usual area by slip. High activity 10.5 hours..
The Boxer – usual area W end of reserve. He hatched a single chick from his second nest – the chick (LC1712) was transferred to Limestone on 16/2/18.
The Boxer’s chick 
See you at the release.
Cheers
Todd Hamilton
Backyard Kiwi Project Manager
Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum
M 021 1145 385