Kokako preparations continue
The first fieldwork has begun for kokako once again being heard on Mt Pirongia.
In early April, sites in Pureora forest were the scene of preparations for the first capture of birds near Waipapa.
Led by a specialist kokako ecologist, Dave Bryden, four volunteers assisted with the physical works that are necessary to install the tall mist nets which are used to catch the elusive birds.
The mist nets need to be erected some 30 metres high to be able to intercept kokako whose habitat is in the upper canopy of the forest.
Installing them requires clearing lower vegetation and guy wires being attached to the higher branches. The wires act as guides to run up the mist net at the right moment to catch the bird in full flight.
Sending the wire to the top point needed to secure it in the canopy is an art in itself and a sling shot is perfect for the task. Dave Bryden proved to be amazingly accurate with this, achieving success with the first attempt almost every time.
Nets are not able to be left in place for extended periods to avoid snaring other birds, which is why the ability to rapidly deploy the nets and then remove them is key to the activity.
Recordings of kokako calling are used to get the resident kokako to come and defend their territory against a supposed intruder, and when they fly to the source of the call, the mist net is there to hopefully intercept them.
Once a bird is captured, the utmost care in handling them is required and only those appropriately qualified to do so will under- take this part of the process. The society is gaining permissions and funding to carry out the capture phase.
A fundraising initiative will be run in May in association with Z Energy’s Good in the Hood support for community groups to benefit the project.
The society’s chairwoman, Clare St Pierre said they were delighted to be selected.
‘‘The positive response we have been getting from our community to bring back kokako to Mt Pirongia has been really humbling and for us to have Te Awamutu’s Z Energy getting behind it too is absolutely tremendous. We are calling on supporters to vote for us during the promotion.’’
Visit the society’s website: mtpirongia.org.nz. A new radio mast was installed at the summit of Sanctuary Mountain, Maungatautari, to improve communication and health and safety for its workers and volunteers.
The job was not your typical radio mast installation. To prepare for the installation, volunteers, staff and contractors dug out, mostly by hand through rock, four substantial foundation holes.
Most of the materials for the foundations, including lightning rods and pegs were carried up the mountain by a four-wheeler and on foot, which is a 4km hike through challenging terrain.
In late March a helicopter flew 6.5 cubic metres of concrete up to the summit of the mountain to complete the foundations. Towards the end of April, the mast itself, which stands almost 18m high and weighs about a tonne, will be airlifted up to the summit by an Iroquois helicopter.
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust general manager John Simmons said cell phone reception was patchy and the radio mast would provide better digital radio coverage and GPS tracking so staff and volunteers are always accounted for.