School raises funds for Oscar and chicks

 

Back in April Mangawhai Beach School pupils welcomed the arrival of more kiwi to Marunui Conservation in the Brynderwyns and named two of the birds Oscar and Fern.

They have since taken a keen interest in the birds’ progress so there was great excitement when Oscar was found to be nesting at the beginning of August.

October was national Save Kiwi Month and the school entered into the spirit by holding a mufti and morning tea day to fundraise for the birds.

Just before that event Oscar’s nest hatched two chicks, giving great incentive for support.

MBS deputy principal, Paula Bygrave, was delighted to advise that the event had been very successful and raised $530 for kiwi care.

A night vision camera had been set near Oscar’s nest and good footage of the chicks emerging for the first time was taken.

Steve Tonnies of Marunui created a short video and the school held a special assembly on December 7 to watch the film and pass over the cheque.

The children were very responsive to the sight of Oscar with his chicks and activities around the nest.

After a question and answer session, Ms Bygrave handed over the cheque to Marunui Conservation spokesman John Hawley.

“We will put the money towards much needed monitoring transmitters and pest control to protect the birds,” he said, thanking the school for its support.

The children were also told good news: The kiwi recently attacked and badly hurt by a domestic dog in bush near Kapawiti Road had survived, thanks to the good care of the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre, and had been taken by DOC to Limestone Island to recover. nSee Oscar online: youtube.com/watch?v=Rf7bfKi13uY&feature=youtu.be


KIWI CARE: Deputy principal Paula Bygrave hands a cheque to Marunui Conservation’s John Hawley.