Here is another report from our Project Manager - Bridget Evans.
Ohope Scenic Reserve
All bird that are tagged pinged this last month. There are six breeding males being monitored - Te Hau, Kahurangi, Mika, Two Toes, Big Al and Pouraiti.
Te Hau, Mika and Kahurangi has had their health check and transmitter changed. Two Toes and Big Al are due for their transmitter change.
Out of the Juvies, Kohi has been caught and had her transmitter emoved as she is now over 12 months old. Ohope was caught early April and all is ok. Tokamauku was caught and had its transmitter removed. Hawea has gone into Mika's territory, has had a health check and all is ok. Whetu is proving hard to catch. He is Mika's territory and very near Hawea, but keeps being in swamp land so Bridget can't catch him!
Te Hau's only chicks have been released, the male is called Awanui but we are yet to name the female chick. They were dedicated at a public release at Ohope Beach School on the Easter weekend. Also released this month was Punga, Pouraiti's second chick.
In the Reserve, Night Listening Tours have started - see the 'Whats Happening' column - and we will be beginning call counts this season to keep an eye on kiwi numbers in the reserve.
Mokorua
There were four new chicks released here in February Their names are Wiremu, Noti, Marie and Koru. They were all caught for their first health checks this month and all is ok. All of them but Wiremu seems to be difficult to track as they are wandering quite widely. Te Kauhoe who also lives here has also moved so Bridget is finding a challenge locating them all.
Razorback Ridge
Rewi-Ray has moved and hasn't been pinged for two weeks. NgaHuia is now in Waiotane, as is Noami. Wharua was released into Waiotane and is now heading south, and with a long time of treking Bridget caught her close to Tanetua. She is now residing on a farm amongst the pines and pampas!!
Kohi Point
All the birds have pinged here each week. All of the eight kiwi monitored here seem to be staying in the gorge during the dry weather. After the bit of rain, however, they moved back to their usual spots. There was a through search for Ranginui but without any success. A new kiwi, Awanui, who was dedicated at Ohope Beach School on Easter weekend, was released here and is still near the release site.
Wainui
Out of the seven kiwi monitored here most of the males have had their transmitters changed. There is plans to release two chicks here in July.
Waiotane Extension Area
As mentioned above, all is well. Morehu is still near Razorback Ridge and Mauri seems to be staying close to a private property.
Moutohora
3 birds are tagged here. Tumanako has had his heath check and transmitter change. He looked beautiful and weighed in at a hefty 2.31kg. Humbumble has managed to drop her transmitter and Morena was nowhere to be found.
Omataroa Kiwi Project
Two chick were released here in March, but unfortunatley Alaska had to be taken to Rosemary Tully after she was discover with her transmitter on a mortality signal just six days after being released. She has now been taken to Kiwi Encounter but her condition still remains a mystery.
