Wrybill Banding Down South

 I have been away for most the year so far and have not done any banding. Hopefully there will be something in the next few weeks. 

Rachel who trained with me down in the Queenstown area has sent me some information and photos of her Wrybill banding. She now works with the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust and amongst other things monitors Wrybill on the Makarora River which is at the head of Lake Wanaka. I think this must be about the remotest Wrybill breeding area in the country. As well as weather and flood related problems this small flock has to contend with not only people walking but also driving and riding horses through nesting birds, not only Wrybill but also Black fronted Terns and Banded Dotterels. All these are threatened, endemic species.

One of the birds she monitors was originally banded up here in Canterbury over 11 years ago, not the oldest Wrybill on record which is 23 years but still a good age especially as it has to fly considerably further than most on its annual migration. Its chick is featured in some of the photos below.

Even as a small chick Wrybills have the bent bill of their species.

A little chick getting its weight taken.

Chicks have legs large enough to take a band at a very young age.

Their eggs are extremely well camouflaged amongst the river stones.

The old, banded bird. The band is on the right tibia.

All photos by Rachel Hufton

Not much banding this year - Have been on Holiday

 There hasn't been much banding going on so far in 2023. I have been away for most of it and am away again next week. There were some interesting rehab birds that I did band last week. Eight Little Owls were waiting for me when I got back from our holiday and were duly given their bling as was a Bellbird. The most interesting was a Crested Grebe which was a first for me. Its legs and feet are weird close up and the band has to be adapted to fit. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos which is a pity. 

The Bellbird back in its cage with its bling

The Crested Grebe sitting in its's pond on a Lily pad

One of the Little Owls getting ready to go back into the Aviary.

There were another 4 little Fantails in a nest at Jan's that were also banded. This makes 10 that this pair have raised, broods of 2, 4 & 4. Also managed to band the male of the pair.

Jan with one of her little Fantails

The 4 babies' ready to go back into their nest. 

We did set the Harrier traps on Friday but were completely unsuccessful with very few birds even seen. We were also disappointed when we checked out a report of a Harrier nest in a paddock of barley that had been harvested. It had 2 large chicks in it when it was found but by the time we got there it was empty.

The empty Harrier nest.