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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Ranger strikes golden kiwi.jpg "Marunuis 1st kiwi chick with Pete(copy)") Having run regular updates on the Marunui Kiwi Conservation scheme it was something quite exciting for a couple of Focus team members to be invited on a recent bush walk to check the progress of a nearby nest which had reported incubation activity.The prospect of seeing a new Kiwi chick first hand would be something of a unique experience for most people. So, with a dozen or more enthusiasts led by Cathy Hawley and Department of Conservation (DoC) ranger Peter Graham we made our way up a short but relatively steep path on a glorious early summer day to within a few metres of the burrow. Pete gave instructions as to where we and camera-people should stand, still and quiet, for best view as any new chick could only be exposed for a very short time and it was imperative not to disturb the incubating male (Rangiora) any more than necessary. It was known that the nest housed two eggs but it was unknown whether or not they were fertile and the date we visited was close to a probable hatching date. Life can be full of disappointments, and this was just another one when Pete returned from the nest to report the male bird dozing quite happily atop two eggs which, unfortunately for us, remained intact. The plan for DoC ranger Graham was to return for another look the following weekend with more time to ascertain what the long-term situation might be. This occasion, Saturday November 30, met with unqualified success with the discovery of a single kiwi chick. It was 2-3 days old and weighed 290 grams, a perfect little kiwi, fully feathered. On this occasion it was gently stroked, photographed then returned to the incubating male. It is another tentative wait for the future of the remaining egg which may have been laid as many as three weeks apart from the others. |
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