Birds are hard to see and sometimes shy of humans, so call counts are the way that population sizes are usually estimated. Automatic acoustic recorders have made recording bird calls easier – but recorders generate a lot of data – a LOT of data! It can end up being just too time-consuming to analyse … [Read more...] about AviaNZ open-source software helps analyse bird calls
Success stories
Guidance for Alert Level 2
New Zealand is moving to Level 2 at midnight 13th May (this evening). This is great news, as most people will be able to resume predator control activities on public land. We recommend you check with the manager of the land in case they have any special requirements at Level 2 The general … [Read more...] about Guidance for Alert Level 2
Human impact on NZ birds measured in millions of years
The conservation decisions we make today will have an impact for millions of years! That’s the conclusion of authors Luis Valente, Rampal Etienne and Juan Garcia, who use New Zealand’s unique bird species as an example of the macroevolutionary impact of humans, in an article recently published in … [Read more...] about Human impact on NZ birds measured in millions of years
No working dogs but lots of kiwi on Okaihau dairy farm
Jane and Roger Hutchings haven’t had a dog on Lodore Farm, their 450-hectare Northland property, in over 20 years – but they do have a lot of North Island brown kiwi. "We estimate we have at least 50 pairs of North Island Brown kiwi,” Jane says. “We do the kiwi call census every year in two … [Read more...] about No working dogs but lots of kiwi on Okaihau dairy farm
Auckland Islands introductions included horses, possums, chickens
Did you know there were once horses on the Auckland Islands? Possums were deliberately introduced too but didn’t last long. Hardly surprising. It’s a harsh environment and not remotely like their warm Australian homeland. Scientists investigating mammal predators in the Auckland Islands group … [Read more...] about Auckland Islands introductions included horses, possums, chickens
Trap appeal and lures
This is the fourth blog from our guest writer John Bissell. Read his introductory blog, or blogs on trap selection and trap placement. Kia ora, Lures are one of the first things people think about when trapping and there is no doubt that good lures can make a real difference, but trap … [Read more...] about Trap appeal and lures
Alert Level 3 —what you can and can’t do
Most recently updated 12pm 28 April We are now in Level 3. We know a number of you are looking forward to getting back to your projects and checking and rebaiting your traps and bait stations. We’ve been trying to get the most up to date information so you can be clear on what you can and … [Read more...] about Alert Level 3 —what you can and can’t do
Better together? A review of community conservation hubs in New Zealand
Community conservation hubs are the subject of much, if very recent, discussion in New Zealand. As a result the Predator Free NZ Trust recently commissioned a report from The Catalyst Group’s Dr Marie Doole (nee Brown) looking into hubs, their challenges, benefits and what support they need to … [Read more...] about Better together? A review of community conservation hubs in New Zealand
Predator Hunter — Trap Placement
This is the third blog from our guest writer John Bissell. Read his introductory blog and his second one on trap selection. Kia ora folks, This blog covers trap placement and for species with bigger home ranges it can really make a difference. Place the trap where predators have the … [Read more...] about Predator Hunter — Trap Placement
Overlooked takahē – April is your month
April is ‘Takahē Awareness Month’ and really it seems like the big blue/green bird could do with some extra publicity. A check of the ‘Bird of the Year’ winners for the 14 years since it was established in 2005 reveals that the takahē has never once made the top slot. Even its common cousin the … [Read more...] about Overlooked takahē – April is your month