We've now had several reportings made of sightings of kaka as far "inland" as Mount Albert in Auckland. There have been some other reportings of kaka being seen in other parts of the city too, like Parnell. The suggestion is that these kaka, being the first ones seen on the mainland around here for decades, are likely island-hopping over from places like Great Barrier/Aotea now that most of these islands have had the main pests eradicated.
There have been several sightings in North Auckland of kakariki (first mainland sightings of wild birds for decades), and the timing with island pest-eradication projects suggests that these are linked also. The first breeding kakariki were seen on Motutapu Island within a few months or less of the aerial poison drop on Motutapu and Rangitoto.
We look forward to seeing if bellbirds and other birds will travel across from Tiri to the neighbouring mainland now that Shakespeare Park has had an aerial poison drop.
Interestingly a long-time friend from Friends of the Earth, who appeared at the hearing about concerns they had about the planned aerial drop at Shakespeare Park, and was invited to watch the drop close-up as an observer, told me that he was extremely impressed by the accuracy of the drop from the helicopter bucket, compared with past drops. He accepts that accuracy of poison dispersal is far better now than it was some years ago. He was similarly impressed by the way stray poison pellets were collected from any roadways, and that seaweed on the beaches was removed prior to the poison-dispersal so that it couldn't be said that shorebirds might eat poison pellets hidden in clumps of seaweed.
This drop was 'the other' side of a pest-proof fence, where there is intensive trapping. So a combination of pest-control methods as with pest controls everywhere else. Or are there places where there's only one type of pest control going on? Whatever, it's great to see kakia and kakariki back again.
Forest & Bird » Terrestrial
kaka sightings on mainland
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Posted 9 months ago #
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Great news, Anne! Here in Wellington, we have been seeing increasing numbers of kaka across the city since nine were released into the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary (now Zealandia) in 2000. The population has grown to over 100 now, and they are thought to be nesting outside the sanctuary. Flocks of up to 20 hang out in the Botanic Gardens (where some people are starting to consider them pests for ringbarking exotic pines!) and in spring they following the kowhai blooming around the city. The same is now happening with kakariki, which were re-introduced a couple of years ago. Education and ongoing pest control are critical to the birds' survival in the big city. Accidental poisoning (especially from zinc flashings) and cat predation are both taking their toll, and hand-feeding is also a growing problem.
Posted 9 months ago # -
I hear that the kokako that were introduced into Ark in the Park in Waitakeres last year some have done a runner and have spread to neighbouring areas - a couple have been seen at Matuku reserve.
A reader of the F&B Facebook sent in a photo awhile ago of a kaka from Karori Sanctuary on his deck in the Wellington suburbs. 8-)
Amazing, I hadn't realised there were about 100 of them now. That's great. No wonder people are complaining. They'll be ripping into nearby fruit trees too I imagine.Posted 9 months ago # -
The Karori/Zealandia kaka population is well over 100 and spreading. A banded bird turned up in Gisbourne a couple of years ago, and then returned to Karori with an unbanded bird! At least one banded kaka made it to Mt Bruce and back as well.
People have made complaints to Zealandia about kaka eating fruit off their trees, with one guy threatening to kill them. A couple of years ago there was an article in the paper about people ringing Zealandia to complain about the tuis waking them up in the morning. Some people are unbelieveable.
Kaka are believed to be nesting outside of Zealandia; in areas of older forest that dot the surrounding area. I've seen small flocks of them hanging out and roosting in the park across the road from my house. I've heard kakariki (and seen them on a couple of occassions) in the burbs around Wgtn.Posted 9 months ago #
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