Graeme Elliott has been studying our native birds for 45 years and using his knowledge we've put together an overview of how we can best protect our native birds in a mast year. A small reclusive bird the rock wren For him the message is clear, the main tool that can be used to reduce … [Read more...] about How can we help native species in a mast year?
Native wildlife
Auckland’s bird biodiversity revealed
Urban landscapes are becoming recognised as important places of biodiversity. The concrete jungle can potentially be a great habitat for wildlife and having good biodiversity in our cities allows urban-dwellers to interact with nature in their daily lives. Photo: Auckland CBD (Wikimedia … [Read more...] about Auckland’s bird biodiversity revealed
Thermal squeeze could put pressure on native wildlife
Thermal squeeze: it’s what happens when temperatures rise, predators spread out to higher altitudes and their vulnerable prey species are squeezed into less-than-ideal pocket habitats at the outside edges of their range. Large, cavity-nesting birds may be particularly vulnerable to thermal … [Read more...] about Thermal squeeze could put pressure on native wildlife
Kōkako genetics investigated
Translocations have been an important part of North Island kōkako population recovery, but when you’re obtaining your founding birds from small relict populations it’s important to maintain and even improve genetic diversity. University of Otago Zoology Masters graduate Meghan Milner-Jones studied … [Read more...] about Kōkako genetics investigated
Study seeks future homes for kakapo
The kakapo population is outgrowing its island refuge – but where might future kakapo live? In a predator free future, the answer could include protected mainland sites provided there are sites that are big enough, safe enough and with the right kind of habitat for kakapo to thrive. If those likely … [Read more...] about Study seeks future homes for kakapo
Long-range study follows kiwi for 22 years
A 22-year study in Tongariro Forest has followed 142 radio-tagged North Island brown kiwi through 4 landscape-scale aerial 1080 operations, covering an area of 20,000 hectares. Not only did all 142 kiwi survive the 1080 drops, but the long-term study reveals a swag of other interesting information … [Read more...] about Long-range study follows kiwi for 22 years
New Zealand Bird Atlas project launched
An ambitious 5-year project to map the birds of New Zealand across every part of New Zealand was launched at Queen’s Birthday weekend. It’s called the New Zealand Bird Atlas and organisers are hoping to involve as many New Zealanders as possible in spotting, counting and recording the birds they see … [Read more...] about New Zealand Bird Atlas project launched
Latest research from Otago University and DOC investigates rock wren and 1080
Recently there have been several research projects looking at predators in the alpine environments of the South Island. It’s a completely different ecosystem to the much-studied lowland forest systems and there’s still a lot to be learnt about the key predator threats to our alpine species and how … [Read more...] about Latest research from Otago University and DOC investigates rock wren and 1080
What do bird populations need to thrive?
The interaction between habitat restoration and predator control is a topic of great interest to us at Predator Free NZ Trust. In 2017 Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research created a series of info-graphics that looked at just that. Focusing on the Cape to City Project, they asked what do bird … [Read more...] about What do bird populations need to thrive?
Nesting fantails balance predators and weather risks
Rats are bad news for nesting birds – but quantifying exactly how rat density relates to nesting success of our smallest and rarest birds is difficult for a number of reasons. They’re rare – so there’s not a lot of them to study; they are likely to live in remote locations making observation … [Read more...] about Nesting fantails balance predators and weather risks