Ohope Scenic Reserve
Six breeding males are being monitored: Te Hau, Kahurangi, Mika, Two Toes, Big Al and Pouraiti. Two Toes and Big Al had there transmitters changed this month.
Out of the the newly released chicks/juveniles this month all are doing well. Ohope is up on Toi's Track and Hawea is still in the reserve and not moving far. Punga was caught for his first health check and has put on 65gms and now weighs a healthy 1160gms. Aotearoa, who was released in honour of our new sponsor GBK in the UK, and nicknamed Beetroot, has had his first health check. He put on 26gms and now weighs 1020gms. Toi has also had a health check and has put on 52gms - he is now at 1050gms. Whetu who was released in January was caught using Bridget's dog Tai - a specially trained kiwi dog - he looked OK but unfortunately was a bit light.
Generally, in the reserve Bridget has been conducting a call count of the kiwi that live there. This is using DoC Best Practice Procedures and involves passive listening for an hour, half an hour after dusk, then soliciting calls using recordings of male and females. She has already heard calls from kiwi without transmitters, possibly 9 males, 3 of which were dueting with females. She is very excited by this and hopes to catch a couple to use in Operation Nest Egg.
Mokorua
Three of the chicks released here in February were caught for their second health checks. Wiremu weighed 1230gms, Noti weighed 1310gms and Marie weighed 1300gms. Unfortunately another chick released here, Koru, could not be found. We are bit worried because of the washout through the reserve since the recent storms.
Access has been difficult for Bridget as the main stream that runs from the pine block at the southern end of the reserve has completely taken out the track and filled the gully with pine slash. Tai, however, indicated several kiwi tracks in silt that has built up along the stream and none of the seem to be from birds with transmitters. One was definitely an adult while the other two looked like juvenile birds. She is very excited by this!
A kiwi we haven't seen for awhile, Te Kauhoe, was consistently 'pinged' this month which has been a relief.
In may Oneone was released here for the Whakatane District Council and he seems to be doing well.
Razorback Ridge
Rewi-Ray, Naomi, Ngahuia, Wharua and Morehu were all 'pinged' this month. Unfortunately Bridget could not locate Mauri and thinks her transmitter battery might be flat. Tai however indicted several kiwi poos along the main ridge in Waiotane.
Kohi Point
All of the bird here were pinged each week in May. There are nine kiwi currently being monitored here. Three were caught for their health checks. Kohine was looking good and weighed 1190gms. Kapua also was looking great and weighed in at 1250gms. Awanui was caught by our other kiwi monitors Michelle and Laura for his first health check. Although looking OK he was a little lighter than his release weight.
Moko was also released in May after a ceremony at Paroa School.
Wainui and Waiotane Extension Area
Unfortunately Windi has dropped his transmitter and was living in a swamp so he has been difficult to get to. He has now moved towards the ridge but without his transmitter.
Moutohora
Morena is due for a transmitter change as is Motu.
Omataroa Kiwi Project
Alaska was returned to the forest this month after a stay at Rosemary Tully's. unfortunately her transmitter keeps changing to the mortality signal! After this happening a couple times Bridget, Ian, Fran and Laura set out to change it - they finally succeeded. They also located Vollie. Recently, 3 males, however have dropped there transmitters.
Bridget would like to say a great thank you to Michelle, Laura and Dave A who monitored the kiwi in her absence. Their help was much appreciated!!!!
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