Kiwi confirmed in Coromandel reserve

File photo.

Conservation groups on the central east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula are marking a major success, with confirmation of a population kiwi in the settlements of Matarangi and Kuaotunu.

Representatives from Project Kiwi and Rings Beach Wetland Group spent several consecutive nights in the reserve through June conducting audio monitoring for kiwi calls.

Secretary of Rings Beach Wetland Group Dave Fitzgerald was involved in the monitoring and says the number of calls gradually increased through time.

Females were responding to male calls as soon as the second night of monitoring allowing the representatives to presume there are at least two breeding pairs and Project Kiwi spokesperson Paula Williams says the chances of two breeding kiwis is high.

She says the confirmation Kiwi are in the reserve is significant on numerous levels.

'Breeding pairs tell us the habitat is good enough in terms of year-round water supply and food source for a pair to inhabit and raise chicks.”

She plans to conduct surveys in this reserve over the next two years to collect baseline data and gain knowledge to provide a level of predator control where they will flourish and go on to breed too, which will help the population will self-seed.

The reserve's new status as a habitat for our national bird will connect the Kuaotunu and Whangapoua Forest kiwi populations.

Department of Conservation's Coromandel District ranger Chris Twemlow, says the confirmation kiwi are in the reserve demonstrates the value of community groups' conservation effort.

'Conservation volunteers put in a huge amount of work and make contributions the wider public doesn't always see.

'We're delighted to see such a great result as this illustrates the power of sustained collaborative effort.”

People can find out how to support the work of the Rings Beach Wetland group by emailing ringsbeachwetlandgroup@gmail.com

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.