Been wondering how those four gorgeous kiwi released with Backyard Kiwi last month have been getting on?
Here’s an update from Project Manager, Todd Hamilton who has been following their movements and activity via remote telemetry equipment that picks up signals emitted from their small leg-fitted radio-transmitters:
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All four kiwi have settled in well to their new home in the Parua Bay – Owhiwa area.
They were heard calling in response to resident kiwi shortly after their release, and have been using the lengthening hours of darkness to forage and explore their new area. It’s a credit to the local dog owners that these kiwi are able to safely roam and figure out potential mates or where they might want to establish their own territories.
Murdoch
Murdoch the 6 year old male named after community stalwart Murdoch Ross, initially seemed content to hang out in the area of his namesake, and spent some time at the end of Ross Road. He then decided to go exploring and headed north up the valley of native bush that Owhiwa Road wraps around. At an average of 11.5 hours each night, he is certainly pretty active and probably the most mobile of the released kiwi at the moment.
Maia
Maia the young 2 year old female, was named after one of the Matariki stars by Parua Bay locals. She has found her way to a valley of pines and pampas off the end of Ross Road, once again showing us that kiwi don’t always stick to the native forest and can turn up in places where people may not expect. At 11.5 hours of average nightly activity, she’s making the most of the lengthening nights to forage and find her way about the place.
Om
Om the big adult female, named by the Friends of Matakohe Limestone Island (FOMLI) and Multicultural Whangarei also seems to prefer pines and pampas to native forests! She’s currently in a valley of pampas and pines at the north end of Martins’ pine block on Owhiwa Road. Data from her transmitter shows she is active for around 10 hours each night.
Fetu Mama
Fetu Mama the young male kiwi named by FOMLI and the Northland Pacific Island Charitable Trust (Fale Pasifika), has generally stayed within calling distance of Om. It’s possible that these two are a pair, so we’ll be interested to see if they nest together this season. He’s also in the Martin’s pine block on Owhiwa Road, with an average nightly activity of around 11 hours. He’ll want to make the most of foraging if indeed he is thinking of nesting this season and embarking on a 60 – 90 night stint of incubation duty!
Once again, the release of wild kiwi into our area has been a success. Driving around with the telemetry equipment to track the kiwi, and meeting more and more keen landowners involved in looking after their kiwi with ongoing pest control and dedicated dog ownership is really heartening. Huge thanks to all the locals – the hard work is really paying off.
Photos of the kiwi before release held by accredited kiwi handlers – credits: Kiwi Coast, Carlyn Condon (Backyard Kiwi) and Leeane Emtage (FOMLI)
