Good dog control over the holidays
It has been very pleasing to see responsible dog control (in the vast majority of cases) by both locals and visitors over the holidays with dogs being walked on a lead. Thank you to all those dog owners and dogs that have done their bit to protect kiwi at the Heads.

Dry weather hard on kiwi

The extended dry spell is hard on the kiwi- especially the young ones. There has been a big crop of chicks hatching this spring/summer and they can struggle with the lack of food, hard ground and hot conditions. No significant rain is forecast so things will get even tougher – this means there is more likelihood of kiwi being out during daytime looking for food exposing them to uncontrolled dogs and other hazards. Please let me know if you have a kiwi out during the day at your place.

There were 3 kiwi found dead in December

• 1/12/24 a young chick was found on a lawn at McDonald Road. There were no obvious injuries – it looks like it got caught out in the open on a very hot day.
• 19/12/24 Road killed adult female between Urquarts and McKenzie Bay – no ID chip, 1800g and 124.4mm (see pic).
• 23/12/24 Road killed chick at the usual spot 1755 Whangarei Heads Road. Smashed and squashed- approx 400g and 50mm- so a few weeks old at most.

Backyard Kiwi monitored kiwi update for December 2024

 Whangarei Heads/Parua Bay  Radio monitored kiwi:  

• Chookie–  Still nesting. His data stream showed a hatch on 30 Dec after 80 days. Kerry is checking data daily and we will check the nest when Chookie’s activity rises. Currently 120mins.
• Teina – In his usual valley of pampas and pines at the north end of Martins’ pine block. 8.5 hours activity. No sign of nesting.
• Beach Girl – She has spent time on both the Martins’ and Halses’ blocks  between Owhiwa and Ross Roads.  Her nightly activity is 9 hours.
• Murdoch  – On his second nest. The nest is very close to his spring nest, under a couple of old man wilding pines in the valley of bush on Halses’ block at Ross Road  42 days nesting on 20/12/24 and 3 hours nightly activity so looking good.
• Humphries–  NE side of Martins’ block Owhiwa Road. Still down in a damp gut after nesting. 9 hours nightly activity. Whangarei Heads School have named his recently hatched chick “Fern”.
• Wally– Rolf and I did his 6 monthly band change. He was in a wetland of tall rushes at the end of Campbell road. He has fattened up after nesting – 2200g and Mod condition.

Kiwi that have walked to the Whareora Landcare area:

• Fetu Mama – Found her again – back up towards Maungatika reserve peak. 7.5 hours activity.
• Te Motu Manu Hine – Still in the NRC pine block between Mt Tiger and the Money Factory.  9 hours of nightly activity.

Purua ONE dads

8 chicks now transferred to Limestone/Matakohe so far this season.
A kiwi chick was found in a paddock of cows during the day on Lovells’ dairy unit. After a health check he was ID chipped and transferred to Limestone/Matakohe on 12/12/24. Named “Double Coast” by sharemilkers Sarah and Grant. Unfortunately after the transfer Double Coast continued his walking adventures and fell off a cliff there!

Rarewarewa/Purua ONE dads: 

• Moondust  – 9.5 hours activity- usual area behind Lovell’s Irvine road woolshed.
• Buddha – Usual area in  the paddock north of McGraths’ quarry.  Did his 6 monthly band change. He was a good 2250g in weight so has recovered well from nesting.(see pic)
• Macio– SW Purua reserve on “Kauri tree ridge”. 9 hours activity.
• Otiria –  South end of the Purua Reserve. Still not nesting.   11.5 hours of nightly activity.
• 64– SW side of the Purua reserve.  9.5 hours activity
• Tahi – South-eastern Purua reserve behind Alisons’ farm.  Still not nesting.      9.5 hours of activity.
• Sam– SW edge of Purua reserve/ Hawkins paddock. 10 hours activity.
• Derek– On  “Stump” Ridge South-East Purua reserve.  9.5 hours activity. no nesting yet this season.
• Fletcher– no signal this month.
• Rua – Back of Alisons’ farm – 9 hours activity.

Trapping/ toxin pulses

December catches: Stoats 2 – both juveniles at NW trapping boundary- reinvasion. Weasels 1, Feral cats 2.  Stoat sightings at south end too.

The spring kiwi saver/1080 pulses should have cleaned out many of the trapshy stoats at the Heads but young stoats are dispersing now and starting to show up.

 

Cheers Todd

Todd Hamilton

Backyard Kiwi Project Manager

Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum

M 021 1145 385

E  todd.hamilton64@gmail.com