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 … [Read more...]
Four More Backyard Kiwi
Over 360 keen locals attended the Backyard Kiwi Release on February 19th to see four more Northland brown kiwi released at Parua Bay. The four kiwi – Murdoch, Maia, Om and Fetu Mama – wowed the crowd from the arms of their accredited kiwi handlers, as they granted a few precious moments of a wild kiwi encounter before heading off to be … [Read more...]
Kiwi Hope Returns to Wild
Parua Bay School students have had the rare privilege of meeting and naming a wild kiwi as part of the school’s 150th Year Celebrations. Todd Hamilton from the Whangarei Heads group Backyard Kiwi brought the young female named Hope into the school for the educational encounter. After the special assembly she was released nearby into an area … [Read more...]
First Kiwi Chicks of the Season!
The first kiwi chicks of the season are hatching! Kiwi nesting is in full swing all over the Kiwi Coast, and the first kiwi chicks are beginning to emerge from the nesting burrows - much to the relief of the incubating kiwi Dad's! Kiwi incubate their eggs for longer than almost any other bird, averaging 70 nights of egg warming, turning, and … [Read more...]
Teina Tries to Hatch “Rocky”
Teina the kiwi's first nesting attempt, has not quite gone to plan! Initial news of Teina's nesting was met with much joy, as it was the first known kiwi nest in decades for the Owhiwa Landcare Group who are working hard to clear out the pests, keep dogs well controlled and help their small wild kiwi population flourish again. Unfortunately, … [Read more...]
Xmas Retirement Present for Whitu
Whitu the wild Whangarei Heads kiwi has well and truly earned his transmitter-retirement after 15 years! Article by Todd Hamilton, Backyard Kiwi Project Manager We have been radio monitoring Whitu for 15 years now. He has been a fantastic ambassador for the kiwi at the Heads. Monitoring his movements and following his life has … [Read more...]
Storm Hit Kiwi High and Dry
Big storms and intense rainfall have seen Northland kiwi switch gears from drought-survival to storm-survival overnight. Kiwi that had hunkered down in damp valley's since the drought have suddenly had to cope with flooding and huge slips. Following the movements of ten transmittered wild kiwi in the Whangarei Heads area gives an insight into … [Read more...]