When Geoff and Henry went for a walk to Sandy Bay they never expected to arrive back at Matapouri with a dehydrated wild kiwi chick wrapped in one of their tee shirts.
Geoff Hanham and Henry Norcross spotted the little Northland Brown Kiwi out in the day, baking in the sun on the hot tar sealed road above the south end of Woolleys Bay. At first they walked past but soon changed their minds thinking something should be done to make sure the little bird did not get run over.
Successfully capturing the kiwi chick, but unsure of what to do next, they headed for Tawapou Native Plant Nursery where they knew kiwi release events had been held. From there, with some guidance from Tutukaka Landcare Coalition volunteers, the chick was delivered to Robert Webb at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre.
Robert estimated the 250 gram bird was about three weeks old and suffering no more than severe dehydration. An overnight stay at the recovery centre had the little kiwi chick back to its feisty ways and ready for release at a more appropriate location than a summer baked coastal road.
Northland Regional Council biodiversity officer and experienced kiwi handler Pete Graham took over and delivered the youngster back to Tawapou for release into an area of QEII covenanted bush that is under intensive predator control.
Pete said time had been ticking for the little kiwi: “Another half hour in the sun could have been fatal. The quick actions of the impromptu bird rescuers definitely saved it.”
Geoff and Henry were on hand to see little Gerry released, and named the kiwi ‘Gerry’ by linking the first and last syllables of their names.
Tutukaka Landcare spokesman Mike Camm said that while the episode was a bit touch and go for the young kiwi it was also encouraging:
“It shows that our landscape scale predator control and excellent dog owners are enabling our local wild kiwi population to successfully produce kiwi chicks and flourish.“
If you find a kiwi out during the day ring the 0800 DOC Hotline (0800 362 468) to find out what to do – some kiwi are perfectly fine, others may need your help!
Article by Malcolm Pullman, Tutukaka Landcare
