Robins return to lost habitat

After a century's absence, the clear chirp of the North Island robin can be heard at the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula.

The Department of Conservation Moehau Environment Group and iwi from Hauraki and Maniapoto yesterday released 60 birds at two Moehau sites, Stony Bay and Port Charles.

The robins, or toutoutwai, were transferred from Pureora Forest Park, near Taupo, as part of the restoration of Moehau, recognised as one of the nation's most ecologically significant sites.

Thirty birds were released on DoC land behind Stony Bay and another 30 on private land at Port Charles.

North Island robins, which are not endangered but are protected, were last sighted in the area about 1900, before logging, farming and predators destroyed their habitat.

Yesterday's release follows years of pest control work by department staff and Moehau Environment Group volunteers.

Possums, stoats, goats and rats have been brought under control and the regenerating bush is thriving. Moehau is now also the most successful kiwi breeding site in the country, with a 73 per cent fledgling rate and pateke (brown teal) have been reintroduced.

DoC Waikato conservator Greg Martin said the release of the robins was the result of a huge amount of work. There were plans to relocate kokako in a year or so and then whitehead.

- NZPA