Aotearoa’s amphibians are not your typical frogs. Think of everything you know about frogs and chances are New Zealand’s native frogs do things differently. Frogs croak loudly right? Not ours. Frogs lay eggs that hatch into tadpoles? Nope – our frogs don’t do tadpoles either. Archey's frog … [Read more...] about Meet NZ’s very ‘unfroglike’ frogs
Know your bird calls – human brain vs hard-drive
It was human vs hard-drive in Rawhiti, Northland when researchers pitted volunteer bird enthusiasts of various ages and experience against Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs). Senses were pitted against sensors to see who (or what) was best at detecting and identifying calls. Both humans and machines … [Read more...] about Know your bird calls – human brain vs hard-drive
Farm between two forests rich in rare wildlife
Dan Herries manages Taramoa Station in Puketitiri, Hawke’s Bay, a 564 hectare sheep and beef farm which lies between two significant and beautiful blocks of forest – an 800-year-old, unmilled podocarp forest known as Ball’s Clearing Scenic Reserve and Kaweka Forest Park where once-burnt faces have … [Read more...] about Farm between two forests rich in rare wildlife
Rats, mice and 264,457 tracking records shed light on rodent dynamics
Researchers Susan Walker, Joshua Kemp, Graeme Elliott, Corey Mosen and John Innes used 264,457 rodent tracking records collected quarterly from 23,709 tracking tunnel stations in forests across the length and breadth of New Zealand over an 18 year period from late 1999 to late 2016 to get a clearer … [Read more...] about Rats, mice and 264,457 tracking records shed light on rodent dynamics
Many-legged giant predator stalks NZ forests
‘Giantism’ is a bit of a thing on isolated islands – Aotearoa/New Zealand once had its giant eagle and giant moa – and we still have a few giants out there lurking in the undergrowth. One of those is our giant centipede (Cormocephalus rubriceps). Some sources say it gets to 16cm in length. Other … [Read more...] about Many-legged giant predator stalks NZ forests
‘Wine wētā’ makes itself at home in Marlborough vineyards
It’s not often you hear of native species benefitting from human modifications of its habitat – but one little-known wētā species has gone against trend and embraced the changes in its world. It’s been nicknamed the ‘wine wētā’ due to its fondness for hanging out in Marlborough vineyards and … [Read more...] about ‘Wine wētā’ makes itself at home in Marlborough vineyards
Aaron and Raine team up to tackle predators at Shelly Beach
On the Coromandel Peninsula, individuals and organisations are coming together to tackle predators and protect the local wildlife and stunning surroundings. This is just one of their stories. Aaron McFarlane and his family are first-time holiday park owners. Aaron McFarlane “My parents … [Read more...] about Aaron and Raine team up to tackle predators at Shelly Beach
When economics meets ecology – assessing the ‘ecosystem services’ of farmland
Wetland areas and covenanted bush blocks on farms have a clear ecological value, but do they have an economic value as well? The answer is yes. But that leads to another question. How can you assess the economic value of an area of wetland or remnant forest that isn’t producing saleable crops or … [Read more...] about When economics meets ecology – assessing the ‘ecosystem services’ of farmland
How well do we really know our kiwi?
Not everyone can tell a mohua from a yellowhammer or even a kea from a kaka, but it would be a pretty rare New Zealander who didn’t know a kiwi when they saw one. It’s probably our most recognisable bird, but how well do we actually know our kiwi – really know them? Photo @ Dean Wright You … [Read more...] about How well do we really know our kiwi?
Study looks at kiore when rival rat species absent
The kiore is Aotearoa’s first, smallest and sometimes overlooked rat. It was also our first introduced mammal predator, arriving about 750 years ago with seafaring Polynesian explorers. Because of its arrival history, the kiore is considered both a threat to our native taonga and also a taonga … [Read more...] about Study looks at kiore when rival rat species absent