Kiwi Coast Northland Project

Supporting and connecting community-led kiwi recovery along the east coast of Northland.

  • About
    • Kiwi Coast Project
    • Kiwi Coast Area
    • Organisations Involved
  • Get Involved
    • How to Get Involved
    • Follow Kiwi
    • List Your Group or Project
    • Kiwi Listening App
    • Sponsorship
  • Community
    • Kiwi Coast Map
    • Groups/Projects Involved
    • Kiwi Coast Events
    • Annual Pest Control Results
    • Contribute News, Events & Photos
  • Results
    • First Five years Report – 2018
    • Pateke (Brown Teal) Ducks
    • Pest Control Results
    • REPORT KIWI
    • Kiwi Call Count Report 2019
  • News
  • Photos
    • Kiwi Photos
    • Kiwi Videos
    • Media Library
  • Education
  • Resources
  • Shop
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Kiwi Coast News / Decrease in Kiwi Calls Linked to Drought

Decrease in Kiwi Calls Linked to Drought

The recently released 2019 Northland Kiwi Call Count Report has linked a marked decrease in kiwi call rates across Northland to the 2018/2019 drought.

Kiwi call count monitoring has been carried out annually in Northland since 1995. Call count surveys are one of the main tools used for assessing trends in kiwi populations. Each year DOC analyse the kiwi call data across Northland and report the trends found.

Analysis of the Northland 2019 kiwi call count data showed a pattern of decreasing call rates between 2018 and 2019.

Graph: Mean hourly kiwi call rates per hour for each of the original four Northland monitoring areas 1995–2019.

The report found that kiwi call rates had decreased at every site surveyed. As all sites were affected, rather than just one or two, a regionwide event affecting kiwi call rates at the time of the survey was suggested as the most logical explanation.

The report linked the decrease in call rates to the 2018/19 drought rather than an actual decrease in kiwi numbers.

The report stated: “The combination of dry and warm climatic conditions probably affected kiwi directly (through dehydration, heat exhaustion etc.) and indirectly (through reduced food availability etc.). The resulting relatively poor condition of the kiwi due to either or both factors likely delayed the start of the breeding season (and therefore also delayed the corresponding higher calling rates during courtship generally seen at the start of the breeding season in May).”

“Although somewhat alarming, it may be of some comfort to kiwi listeners that the pattern of fewer calls in 2019 was not unique to their station or cluster.”

Report writer Emma Craig added “It is vital that kiwi listening is continued as fully as possible in 2020 so that the effects of the postulated 2019 delayed breeding season can be separated from any genuine changes in kiwi abundance. At the time of writing (February 2020), Northland was experiencing a prolonged summer drought, so the 2020 kiwi listening may also have atypical results due to weather conditions.”

You can download a full copy of the report here.

If you would like to get involved in kiwi monitoring in your area contact either Ayla Wiles or Cinzia Vestena at the Department of Conservation or Ngaire Sullivan, Kiwi Coast Coordinator.

 

Filed Under: Kiwi Coast News

Kiwi Coast Events

  • 28/03/2021 - Kohinui Stream Landcare - Tree Privet Working Bee
    • 10/04/2021 - Date changed - Tutukaka Landcare Kiwi Release
      • 17/04/2021 - Taheke Landcare Kiwi Release

        Cart

        Get Kiwi Updates!

        Partners, Funders & Organisations Involved

        Northland Regional Council
        Foundation North
        NZ Department of Conservation
        Hancock Forest Management
        Kiwis for Kiwi Trust
        Ngatiwai Trust Board
        QEII National Trust
        Whangarei District Council

        View all organisations...

        Groups/Projects Involved

        View Groups Directory…
        View Kiwi Coast Map
        Pest Control Results = 396,634

        Quick Links

        List your landcare or community group
        Send us your news, events and photos
        Report kiwi you've seen or heard in your area
        Send us your annual pest control results
        Order Kiwi Coast signs for your group
        View a map of the Kiwi Coast

        Kiwi Resources

        How to Trap Safely in Kiwi Areas
        First Five Years Report - 2018
        Kiwi Coast Strategic Plan
        Northland Pest Control Guidelines
        Kiwi and Dogs brochure
        Where you can exercise your dog
        Download the Kiwi Listening App

        The Kiwi Coast Shop

        Sponsorship Programs
        Make a donation | Kiwi Coast Merchandise
        Shopping Cart | My Account

        Copyright © 2021 Kiwi Coast · Log in · Website Design by Creative Web Ideas