Kapiti Island hihi end of season wrap up

The main hihi field work on Kapiti Island has finished at the end of March and it was a solid season overall. A total of 134 birds were identified throughout the season. This number is made up of 97 adults identified in the October 2015 pre-breeding census, and 37 birds banded throughout the season - 20 adults and 17 juveniles. The pre-breeding census count of 97 birds is slightly down on the previous season where 104 birds were identified. But the total end of season figure of 134 is slightly higher than the 129 identified at the end of the 2014/2015 season.

Taking a tarsus measurement. Photo: Dallas Bishop

From April 2015 to March 2016 a total of 3879L of sugar water was dragged up the hill with 3260L (84%) of this being consumed. This was an increase on distribution but a decrease on consumption from last season. The hinau on the island flowered strongly this season, as did the rewarewa. Both of these species are key food sources for hihi, while the rata and pohutukawa had a poor flowering season which may have affected the increased numbers of feisty and dominant korimako/bellbirds using the feeding stations.

Count all the male hihi!

The Hihi Heroes (volunteers) contributed approximately 560hrs to the hihi program during the 2015/2016 season which allowed for more sugar to make it up the hill and really helped with the accuracy of the pre-breeding census.

The flash new interpretation sign at one of the feeding stations.

Here’s hoping that many of the 134 banded birds (as well as the others that evaded capture) survive the winter and we have another successful season in 2016/2017. 

DOC host hihi day on Kapiti Island

In late February we were joined on the island by two representatives from Ngati Toa. DOC works in conjunction with Ngati Toa to manage Kapiti Island so it was great to be able to take Raniera and Rakairoa Grace through a few of the tasks we have out here.

They spent the day with us learning about the hihi program and assisting with catching and banding. We had an enjoyable and successful day with the team managing to catch two juvenile hihi, bringing the total banded birds for the season to 30 (21 adults and 9 juveniles).

Rakairoa setting up the catching cages. Photo: Gen Spargo

We will be continuing efforts to catch unbanded birds over the next few weeks while the hihi are still interested in the feeders. A follow up post with a season wrap up will not be far away.

Waiting patiently... Photo: Gen Spargo

Filling the feeders, with a kaka looking very interested in Rani's sugar water. Photo: Gen Spargo