Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Nelson Tasman pine forest kea prove elusive
Kea being observed for a study in Nelson Tasman pine plantation forests have proved particularly elusive.
Lincoln University Masters student Jodanne Aitken undertook the study, the first of its kind, focusing on kea habitat use and diet in plantation forests.
“It’s the first time we’ve gone in to look at their movements,” Aitken said.
“It’s a preliminary study, which gives us a better insight into kea behaviour in pine plantation forests and helps us understand what might be keeping them in the pine forests.”
The kea in forestry company OneFortyOne’s pine plantations were different to those she had previously studied further south, she said, proving to be the hardest birds to catch out of all kea in the country.
“It took almost four months to lure the birds in.
“The kea tended to sit up in the trees more, and are not observed on the ground as often.
“This behaviour is similar to what we would see in Okarito in the West Coast. The diet was also similar with them eating mostly invertebrates and seeds.”
Aitken said it was anecdotally known for several years that kea took up residence in the pine plantations.
Just for how long was still not known; year-long data was still being gathered.
The number of kea in the forests was also unknown.
The largest number Aitken saw at one time was a flock of six.
She said it was thought kea used plantation sites to forage for seeds and insects at certain times, such as immediately post-harvest.
“The study used GPS-VHF units to track the movements of three kea through the forestry blocks. I also recorded feeding observations of kea in the forest.
“Understanding kea use of plantation forestry sites is vital for guiding effective conservation management strategies and ensuring that no negative interactions occur between kea and forestry workers and their equipment.”
Kea numbers were low, between 5000 and 7000, she said, and still declining.
“There are a lot of reasons why, the main reason is predators, feral cats and stoats.
“We need to understand them better in all their environments to conserve them.”
OneFortyOne provided funding for Aitken’s study.