Recent monitoring of our wild kaka identified 17 of the 20
aviary-released and Orokonui-hatched birds which is a fantastic
result. No unbanded birds were sighted which indicates breeding this
year has been unsuccessful. However, with most Orokonui kaka being two-year olds this is not particularly surprising. Kaka most commonly
breed at four years of age.
Each translocation comes with challenges to the restoration project
and takahe (arriving in April) are no different. A number of poison
bait stations are distributed around the reserve for rodent control.
Their use will continue to decline over time and are already used
infrequently, perhaps once a year at this stage. They are deemed to be
bird-proof but there is a small risk that takahe could force their
strong beak in. Field staff have devised a clever double mesh barrier
that will need to be installed on 200 of the bait stations – a time-consuming task.
Easter is a great time at Orokonui with the delightfully perfumed
Easter orchid flowering and on display down the seasonal Easter orchid
track. There are fantastic holiday programmes over Easter and the
school holidays which have the takahe as its theme. See website for
programme details.
News and events can be found on www.orokonui.org.nz or on our Facebook
page. The visitor centre and café are open daily 9.30 – 4.30
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