Ground-nesting river birds are tricky to protect. Their eggs and chicks are an easy meal for predators and even though some species, like terns, nest together in colonies, the birds may choose a different stretch of river to nest on from one year to the next. Black-fronted tern. Photo: Francesco … [Read more...] about ‘Social attractants’ tested for terns
Native wildlife
Less stress = translocation success for tiny rifleman
Translocation is an important tool for conservation management – but it comes with risks. The capture and transfer process can be highly stressful to wildlife. Some individuals can and have died. Finding ways to reduce translocation stress can save lives. And the lives that are saved are often … [Read more...] about Less stress = translocation success for tiny rifleman
‘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
Tūī numbers treble in predator control study
When you remove predators from islands and restore forest habitat, the expectation is that native forest birds will flourish and that the new ‘improved’ conditions may favour native birds over introduced species. But is that what happens Researchers John Ralph, Carol Ralph and Linda Long looked … [Read more...] about Tūī numbers treble in predator control study
Native bats may have fern dispersal role
University of Auckland researchers, James Brock and Kathleen Collier, have discovered yet another reason why we really should appreciate our native bat species. It seems short-tailed bats have a role to play in spreading fern spores throughout the forest, helping the spores to spread a greater … [Read more...] about Native bats may have fern dispersal role
Study compares beetle and wētā responses to mammal eradication
Wētā are one of our most studied insects and are regarded as ‘bioindicators’ of the health of forest ecosystems. So when introduced predators – including mice – were removed from Maungatautari, the response of the local wētā population was followed closely by researchers. Female Auckland tree … [Read more...] about Study compares beetle and wētā responses to mammal eradication
Putting the case for using Māori bird names
Should we be making a greater effort to use Māori bird names in science communication and environmental reporting – promoting their wider everyday use in the community? The answer seems an obvious yes! If fact we already have tūī, kea and kākā, for example. So what’s stopping us? Priscilla … [Read more...] about Putting the case for using Māori bird names
Little penguin breeding success includes ‘triple brooding’
Little penguins in Kaikōura have been doing their bit to try and keep species numbers buoyant – with multiple nesting per breeding season and some birds even resorting to a bit of partner-swapping. It all helped bring successful fledgling numbers up to 1.66 chicks per pair, according to researchers, … [Read more...] about Little penguin breeding success includes ‘triple brooding’
Kingfisher cashes in on bird feeder
Feeding backyard birds is popular in New Zealand – one recent study revealed up to half of us feed the birds in our gardens. It’s usually the seed-eaters and sugar-water sippers that benefit. No-one seems to have invented a feeder for birds that catch their food on the wing – the insectivores like … [Read more...] about Kingfisher cashes in on bird feeder
Kea demonstrate their maths skills
Kea are known to be smart and the more we learn about them, the smarter we realise they are. But did you know kea can do maths? Female kea. Photo: Herb Christophers, Department of Conservation. Yes - it turns out that kea are pretty good at basic mathematical statistics – especially when it … [Read more...] about Kea demonstrate their maths skills