High hopes for kiwi population

The next generation of kiwi at Pukaha Mount Bruce wildlife reserve are on the way.

Birds in the Pukaha forest are starting to sit on eggs and a nest, of what will be second generation kiwi ,will hatch in about three months.

One of the goals at the unfenced predator-controlled reserve is to create a self-sustaining kiwi population.

MB23, a male North Island brown kiwi, was one of the first kiwi hatched at Pukaha as part of Operation Nest Egg and he is now looking after his own nest.

Using chick-timer transmitter technology, Department of Conservation staff can tell that MB23 is now incubating his own eggs.

The chick-timer technology monitors kiwi movements and when they only get up for a short time during the night to feed, and don't stray too far, they are known to be nesting.

Generally, kiwi lay two eggs a year and the male kiwi usually takes the nurturing role during incubation.

"This is an exciting progression for kiwi at Pukaha Mount Bruce," said Bob Francis, Pukaha Mount Bruce Board chairman.

"With our goal of a self-sustaining kiwi population, this is a great indication that we are continuing to progress well towards reaching that goal."

The reserve's general manager Helen Tickner said MB23 had been sitting on the nest for about 10 days.

After about 70 days incubation, the eggs will be removed and will hatch about 20 days later in the kiwi nursery at Pukaha.

"We'll take them out of the nest and finish them off in the nursery," said Mrs Tickner.

Kiwi eggs and chicks are removed from the wild and hatched and/or raised in captivity until big enough to fend for themselves.

They are returned to the wild when they weigh around 1.5kg. If kiwi run into a rat or other predator, they need to be big enough to fight them off.

Mrs Tickner said MB23's progress was encouraging for future generations.

An Operation Nest Egg bird has a 65 per cent chance of surviving to adulthood compared to just 5 per cent for wild-hatched and raised chicks in areas with no predator control.

There are now 11 North Island brown kiwi monitored in the forest, with about 60 to 70 unmonitored kiwi also thought to be living in the forest.