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Kiwi breeding season begins in the Brynderwyns

 

Oscar the kiwi-714The sound of male and female kiwi calling to each other at night signals the start of their breeding season in the Brynderwyns. 

It’s also the time when DOC’s Northland annual call count monitoring is about to begin. This involves sitting out for two hours over four nights between May 22 to June 10 or June 20 to July 9 to record the number of male and female calls heard from 6pm to 8pm, the time, direction, distance from the listening station, weather conditions and habitat type.

Results are used to determine whether the population is growing or declining. The listeners at Marunui Conservation have recorded a gradual increase every year since they began monitoring calls in 2014 and hope this continues.

Steve Tonnies, one of Marunui’s owners, says the positive results make the task worthwhile and intensive trapping carried out there and in the wider Brynderwyns area is the key to chick survival. 

“Since January 2018 we’ve caught one ferret, eight stoats, 10 feral cats 13 weasels, dozens of possums and hundreds of rats.  Ferrets can kill adult kiwi while stoats and feral cats prey on kiwi chicks so it’s vital we get rid of them.”

In the same period, trapping in the ‘Ring of Steel’ properties surrounding Marunui yielded a ferret, 58 stoats, 94 weasels and five feral cats. 

“There is no doubt that the removal of these predators is reducing the numbers invading Marunui while protecting those kiwi establishing and nesting in territories beyond our boundaries,” says Tonnies. 

At the same time, groups involved in Piroa-Brynderwyns Landcare to the east and west and on the north side of the range are chalking up impressive pest tallies. They include Jude Road Forest Care, Kapawiti Kaitiaki, The Sanctuary, Bream Tail Farm, Waipu Kiwis, Cullen Road trappers and Langs Beach Estate.

The work of so many volunteers is contributing significantly to the survival rate of kiwi and other native species. It is also recognised by Northland Regional Council in declaring the Mangawhai/Brynderwyns/Waipu area a high value pest control area and providing funds to help support the community effort.

Little do the kiwi know that when they call to each other in the coming chilly nights keen listeners will be sitting out in the bush with clipboards, compasses and torches, well rugged up with hot drinks at the ready, waiting to hear the high pitched notes of the male and the rasping response of the female. 

“Let’s hope they are in good voice this year,” says Tonnies.

Oscar the kiwi, named by Mangawhai Beach School pupils, is regularly heard calling at night. PHOTO/Supplied
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