Kiwi release - trapping- weeding and more
It's been a busy six months for Tutukaka Landcare, highlighted by the release of three more Kiwi at Matapouri.
In addition, our volunteers have completed the annual pateke count, taken part in a pioneering bittern survey, continued to track down the threatened and highly illusive bat populations and have just completed the annual kiwi caIl survey, while our trappers kept curbing the possum and stoat populations, and Cam followed released kiwis in their wanderings paths in the bush.
On top of all these exciting projects our war on weeds has continued with regular Weedy Wednesdays (occasionally Saturdays) coordinated by our SWAT (Special Weed Action Team) leader Silvia Pinca.
And meanwhile our professional trappers have continued the battle against stoats and feral cats across approximately 11,000 hectares of the Tutukaka hinterland.... Keep reading...
Photo by M. Pullman
Photo by K. Pullman
3 kiwi released!
More than 300 people gathered at Te Rangi Whakaahu Marae in April for a chance to see the three Taonga Kiwi welcomed into their new rohe.
The event was organised by Tutukaka Landcare Coalition (TLC) backed by Kiwi Coast and generously hosted by Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu hapu.
The release is part of an ongoing Kiwi Coast initiative to boost kiwi numbers in areas where sufficient predator control and dog management has been undertaken to ensure the young birds have a good chance of long term survival. With effective predator control kiwi are expected to live around 50 years and a breeding pair often produce at least four chicks annually.
The birds had been raised on Matakohe/Limestone Island in Whangarei Harbour which serves as a kiwi creche. They were each fitted with a tiny radio transmitter before being released into specially prepared burrows just on dusk. Subsequent weekly monitoring of their radio signals has shown they have settled well into their new home territory.
The kiwi named JJ in memory of the late Jeroen Jongejans, who co-founded Dive Tutukaka and supported many community conservation causes, was released near the end of Clements Road.
The other two birds – Parangarahu and Te Wairoa - were named by the Chairman of the Te Whanau a Rangiwhakaahu Hapu Trust, Aperahama Edwards. Their names reflect the two main streams that flow into Matapouri estuary.
Kiwi death
Sadly in November 2023, we lost several kiwis to dogs and cars. Two birds were killed by road traffic near the corner of Ngunguru and Kaiatea Roads. There is not much we can do about this apart from asking people to be extra aware when driving at night. Around the same time in the Sandy Bay area three kiwi and a Pateke were fatally mauled by dogs. More recently in June two more dog-killed kiwis were found in the Ngunguru forestry area, not far from Tane Moana. DOC and Armourgard coordinated a letter drop and door-knocking to hopefully get the dogs under control (or removed).
If you see a wandering dog please don't ignore it, call WDC Dog control on 0800 932 463. You might save a kiwi's life." - Cam McInnes
How many kiwi on the Tutukaka Coast?
Our annual Kiwi call survey began in May and ended in mid-July. The final count of the human listening and automated listening devices is still being tabulated. But in recent years the general trend has shown an increase in kiwi numbers, clearly indicating the effectiveness of our advocacy and trapping regimes.
KLD counting device above Sandy bay - Photo M. Pullman
Photo by M. Pullman
Other Taonga taiao
Dotterels have been bravely reproducing on our beaches, even during the summer frenzy. With an estimated 2000 individuals in the NZ dotterel population the confirmed success of a nest at Sandy Bay that produced two fledged juveniles is a significant contribution to the species’ conservation. This successful nesting was monitored by Dave Gould and Malcolm Pullman. It was followed with stories in the Northern Advocate and a final article appearing in the New Zealand Herald.
Pateke conservation efforts, benefitting from our kiwi focused predator control work have also brought this once endangered duck back into our lives. Mike Camm reported the pateke flock counts for the Matapouri-Tutukaka-Ngunguru area in February 2024 at 172. With birds also counted on the south bank of Ngunguru River added we reported 303 pateke in our rohe. What a success!
In 2023 TLC took part in a preliminary acoustic survey to help locate any populations of the critically threatened long tailed bat. Their distinctive click sounds were recorded at three sites, in Matapouri, Tawapou and Ngunguru. For the 2024 survey the listening devices were concentrated at Ngunguru in an attempt to narrow down their main roost site and resulted in confirmation of 240 passes, up from the previous year’s high of 25.
In addition to kiwi, five species of birds are also monitored by TLC to gather further information about the impact of our conservation efforts. These five-minute observations of sound and sightings which began in 2023 are being repeated each year along the same transects and over time will create a valuable record about the health of our bird life.
Weed Work
The SWAT team chasing pest plants has been busy in many areas.
From wild ginger in Sandy Bay to mignonette and privet in Ngunguru, much of our weed work springs from garden waste.
In particular, garden waste dumping on the edges of our reserves is something we should avoid. It is a matter of respect for common property and nature. If you see this happening, perhaps have a kind word with the offenders about the risk this poses to our native habitats.
There are what appear to be several open green dumping sites on our road edges that are obviously the origin of significant weed spread.
Our weed action coordinator Silvia reports many landowners contact SWAT asking for support and advice. Whenever the weather allows SWAT volunteers take part in Weedy Wednesdays (sometimes Saturdays).
The Tutukaka twilight markets have provided a venue for TLC to promote biodiversity advocacy and awareness.
Veterinary Lesley Baigent during Know Your Dog workshop
Advocacy
The Tutukaka twilight markets have provided a venue for TLC to promote biodiversity advocacy and awareness. Meanwhile our trapper Cam McInnes has been interacting with new teachers and students at Ngunguru school, talking about biodiversity and setting up trapping programs with the students. More information about SWAT focus on plant pests, TLC predator control and education activities is regularly provided on the Tutukaka Landcare website www.tutukakalandcare.org.nz , and on Facebook. Also keep an eye on the 10+ digital screens at different venues on the Tutukaka Coast which play advertisements and news for TLC and SWAT. In particular Kiwi Aversion Training (KAT) for dogs has an ongoing education focus, although it is designed mainly for working dogs. One recent event with trainer Ethan Benney attracted 16 dog owners and 28 dogs. However, it is now recognized that ‘Know Your Dog’ workshops are more suitable for pet dogs. These events, led by retired vet Lesley Baigent, are highly entertaining and informative. Most people who attend (they are for people, don’t bring your dog) learn something new about their pet and how best to train them. TLC strongly recommends dog owners attend one of these sessions. As for the website, keep checking it in the next few days. It has been changing shape and we hope it is now more informative and interacting!
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