Bringing back the Kiwi – how the community can help

The process of returning Little Spotted Kiwi to the Hibiscus Coast has reached the fundraising phase, with 20 birds to be released in Shakespear Regional Park’s open sanctuary next autumn – at a total cost of around $66,000.The Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society (SOSSI) is budgeting to pay around half of this, and has more than $10,000 still to go after receiving a $20,000 grant from Foundation North last month. DOC is also contributing to the cost of relocating the birds from island sanctuaries, putting in just under $25,000.

By comparison, the recent introduction of whitehead and robin to Shakespear cost $15,000 and $9000 respectively – all of which was raised by SOSSI.

Ten male Kiwi will be brought to Shakespear from Kapiti and 10 females from Tiritiri Matangi Island; the single biggest cost is for specially trained dogs and their handlers to catch the birds. Transportation and radio trackers for each bird are also expensive items.

Because 20 birds is not enough to establish a population, in a few years there will be another 20 arriving and SOSSI will need to find the same sort of money again.

Open Sanctuary senior ranger Matt Maitland says the reintroduction of Kiwi is a big deal, not only for SOSSI but for the species’ survival.

The North Island Little Spotted Kiwi would have been present on the Hibiscus Coast; this species is extinct, so its South Island relative will be brought here instead.

The South Island Little Spotted Kiwi is the second rarest species and establishing a new population on the Coast is part of DOC’s genetic management programme, which aims to avoid severe bottlenecks on island sanctuaries.

Matt says that the permit needed to bring the birds here required the sanctuary to prove it was free of mammalian pests. “We are confident that our pest control is at a level where the Kiwi will be safe,” Matt says.

Artificial burrows will be built for the Kiwi and where these will be is still being worked out; it is hoped they will be placed where there is potential for visitors to hear the birds’ calls at night.

Matt says it’s not too far fetched to imagine people hearing Kiwi calls in bush nearby as they stand at the lookout or lie in their tent in the campground.

To donate, visit www.sossi.org.nz

Robins nest early

North Island Robins, released into Shakespear Open Sanctuary five months ago, are making themselves at home.

Forty birds were released and volunteers have kept tabs on around 35 of these. It’s been a busy time for the birds, which have had to establish territory, find shelter and food and face threats from morepork since they were relocated.

Typically the robins nest early in September, but one pair was exhibiting nesting and courting behaviour at the start of last month (pictured).

Once a nest is built and eggs laid, incubation lasts about 18 days and rearing the chicks about 21 days.

The birds are territorial and the fledglings may seek a place away from their parents, possibly even venturing outside the sanctuary.

SOSSI is therefore keen to hear if anyone sees any robins at their place – if so please email info@sossi.org.nz