Kiwi calling in the east

A population of kiwi have been confirmed to call the hills and gullies above the eastern Ōhiwa Harbour their home. Over three crisp nights in June, 21 volunteers braved the cold to assist with a kiwi listening survey on the Ōhiwa headland, the ridge that runs from Ōhiwa beach to Ruatuna Road. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and the crescent moon aligned and made the survey coordinated by the Ōhiwa Headland Sanctuary Trust such a beautiful experience. The great news is that there was a slight increase in detection of kiwi from five years ago when the first survey was undertaken with at least 2 females and 4 males confirmed.

Kiwi in the Ōhiwa catchment. Image: Gaye Payze (BOPRC)

Kiwi are more difficult to detect at low densities as with this local population, as they do not call as often and can have larger territories. To understand this local population further, the Trust is looking to undertake close-order monitoring of birds including nest monitoring. This will help inform future management decisions and whether increasing the population through reintroductions of birds into the area is a feasible option.

Map showing where Male (Blue) and Female (Pink) kiwi were heard. At least two of the birds in the southern end are likely to be a pair. Image: Ōhiwa Headland Sanctuary Trust

The remnant kiwi population on the Headland is a small one, with the geography of the Headland presenting a natural barrier to movement of birds into the area. However, the Ōhiwa Headland Sanctuary Trust hopes that through a mix of ongoing pest control efforts plus other methods, this local population can be boosted in the future. The Ōhiwa Headland Sanctuary Trust is celebrating 10-years of sustained management this year. One of the most rewarding outcomes of the Trust’s efforts on the 1,500 ha Ōhiwa Headland is the continued increase in abundance and diversity of birdlife throughout the area. To have kiwi calling on the headland is an extra special sign of this success.