KEY POINTS:
Rare birds will be threatened by increasing rat and stoat numbers because of an unusually heavy flowering of beech trees.
The Department of Conservation said favourable weather next year meant beech trees would produce more flowers and seeds than normal, and the abundance of food would boost numbers of rats, mice and stoats. Some stoat populations could be five times higher than normal.
DOC scientist Graeme Elliott said the situation posed a significant threat for at risk species.
"In areas where we actively control pests, we can maintain populations of endangered native species. In areas without pest control, vulnerable populations will decline."
Juvenile kiwi, bats and hole-nesting birds such as yellowheads (mohua) and orange-fronted parakeets (kakariki) were the most at risk, Mr Elliott said.
- NZPA
