A strange tale of a bat and a ‘rose’
New Zealand’s short-tailed bats are tiny – but their appetite is massive. They can increase their bodyweight by a huge 30% in just one night’s…
Plastic nest material is potential threat to gannets
Ocean plastic is a worldwide problem – and its impacting wildlife here in New Zealand too. A recent study checked out how much plastic is…
Tākapu are high-dive champions
Even been stung by a badly executed bellyflop? Then imagine the impact as a diving tākapu (gannet) hits the water in a perfectly executed dive.…
Are weka ‘good predators’?
Weka can be engaging and entertaining, but their opportunistic appetite for other birds’ eggs and chicks can cop them some controversy. They’re not always welcome…
Hidden haven off Coromandel’s 309 Road
Take a drive along Coromandel’s spectacular scenic 309 Road and there’s a spot, somewhere around halfway between Coromandel town and Whitianga where a tarseal street…
River tested as reinvasion obstacle to possums
Reinvasion by predators, of previously cleared areas, is one of the many challenges of becoming predator free. We can’t fence huge tracts of wilderness –…
Lizards counted on predator free Kāpiti Island
What a difference 20 years makes! The lizards of Kāpiti Island have now had 20 years of living rat-free and researchers Jennifer Gollin, Nic Gorman…
Tiny alpine bird is an avid collector of feathers
Many people will never see a rock wren. Not everyone makes it up to the alpine and sub-alpine zone and the tiny rock wren doesn’t…
Researchers survey farmer attitudes to biodiversity
What are New Zealand beef and sheep farmers’ views on managing and protecting native biodiversity on-farm and what barriers do they face to taking positive…
Mamaku Point ranger doesn’t let age hold him back
Ernie Mason remembers that growing up, helping his parents break in their farm, he was always a kid for the bush… always hunting. Its a…
‘Social attractants’ tested for terns
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…
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.…
Meet NZ’s very ‘unfroglike’ frogs
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…
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…
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…
