Update 30 March 2023 from Rose Collen – DOC representative
The Waikawa release in January 2023 has had a happy outcome so far. During the last check on 10th March, Helen found 17 of the 18 released birds alive and well. This is amazing, considering the number of bossy territorial breeding pairs there were at the time of release, the wet and windy weather the youngsters experienced immediately after release, not to mention cyclone Gabrielle 2 weeks later. Perhaps the weather was so wild they couldn’t leave! These hand-reared birds have managed to fit themselves into an established population of what was around 80 residents. The Waikawa population is approaching 100 now.
After the Waikawa release, transfers of younger chicks to Motutapu began. Birds were transferred to the island in four batches, the last on 17th March. All chicks were housed in the pre-release aviary for three+ weeks. The first two groups (12 birds) were released on 28th Feb, and the second release (7 birds) is planned for 5th April.
Of the first 12 released, 10 were wearing transmitters, which has proven very helpful to enable tracking of birds that stayed on the island.
- Three birds are confirmed killed by an avian predator (likely ruru) shortly after release
- Six birds are missing (one was seen at Whitford Beach Auckland) including the two that didn’t have transmitters.
- Three birds are resident on the island – GW-OG, GW-WR, WY-OR. These three are regularly seen alongside the four adult residents (BO-, WO-YG, Maddie and Brady).
Bear in mind, the habitats currently for these taonga are Waikawa, Pūkaha and Motutapu. Motutapu, unfortunately, have seen a significant demise of their translocated Tūturuatu.
Ngā mihi atu e te whanau,
Marina
