Kiwi dies of dehydration amid Northland’s dry conditions, rain offers relief

A kiwi has died of dehydration at a Northland wildlife sanctuary as birds throughout the region have struggled with dry conditions that are finally being broken by rain this week.

Matakohe/Limestone Island ranger Bevan Morgan shared the news of a kiwi’s death in his January report.

The island was extremely dry due to a lack of rain and constant south-westerly winds over the past month, with massive cracks in the ground, dead grass, and drooping plants, Morgan said.

Rangers were concerned about an extreme fire risk — especially because of recent big blazes at nearby Portland and Waikaraka.

There were also concerns for kiwi, with a chick seen walking around during the day — often a sign of drought conditions, Morgan said.

Mid-morning on January 11, he found a large adult kiwi unconscious on the driveway.

“We had a look at him and he was barely alive. We suspected dehydration so quickly took him off the island and up to Robert Webb at the Native Bird Recovery Centre. He confirmed our suspicions and kept him, trying to save him.”

The bird died the following day, despite being administered fluids.

Rain is finally falling around the region including at Matakohe Limestone Island sanctuary in Whangārei Harbour, where rangers have been concerned about the extreme risk of fire and danger to kiwi caused by ongoing dry conditions.

“Kiwi get their water via their food, meaning if the ground is too hard, kiwi can have trouble feeding and therefore become dehydrated.

“This, plus the kiwi chick I saw a couple weeks ago during the day, is a real worry that they are not getting enough water.”

Morgan said fingers were crossed as heavy and consistent rain was forecast for this week.

Meanwhile, Northland’s gardeners and those in other regions where there had also been a long spell of dry weather have noticed the effects on backyard birds.

In a post on The Māori Gardener Facebook page, one man said it was the first time in 40 years that birds had stripped his runner beans of leaves.

Others agreed it was a sign of birds struggling to find water in the ongoing dry conditions and recommended people put out water containers.

A Bay of Islands gardener said she first noticed the problem a couple of years ago. Birds were eating young vegetable seedlings then the fruit. They had also started coming into her house, where she’d noticed evidence of them around benches and sinks.

Fortunately, both problems were quickly remedied when her daughter put a bird bath in the garden.

“Our summers have been getting hotter for longer and dryer for a few years. The rain we are having at this time is normal for up here, but won’t last before the heat again.”

Her property was on tank water so she used the grey water from her laundry system for watering and added water crystals to the soil before planting, the woman said.

Heavy rain is forecast for Northland for much of this week. The Met Service today reported Kerikeri had seen more rain in the past 24 hours than it had for the whole month.

Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, much of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast. She is passionate about covering stories that make a difference, especially stories about environmental issues.