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