Rangers Sarah Kivi and Ranger Lucy Waller report back from Jackson Head and Knight’s Point Tawaki Colonies, also having a good season despite developing El Niño conditions.
Jackson Head and Knight’s Point Tawaki Monitoring 2023
Jackson Head
Aim: Tawaki nests were monitored for survival and breeding success or failure due to predation or other causes, and to assess general chick growth and apparent health as an indication of food supply, etc.
Method: Jackson Head had 17 nest checks completed twice in the season, the first carried out during the egg-laying time, the second in chick guard stage, when one adult remains with the chick and the other goes to sea for food.
Results/Conclusions for the season
Nest checks
The first check showed 16 nests occupied and 28 eggs total and the second check showed 17 nests occupied, 1 failed attempt, 18 chicks including 3 nests with 2 healthy, similar sized large chicks.
A good season for Jackson Head.
Knight’s Point
Aim: Tawaki nests were monitored for survival and breeding success or failure due to predation or other causes, and to assess general chick growth and apparent health as an indication of food supply, etc.
Method: Knight’s Point had 14 nest checks completed twice in the season. The first at egg stage and second at guard stage.
Results/Conclusions for the season
Nest checks
The first check showed 13 occupied nests and 20 eggs total and the second check showed 14 nests occupied, 2 failed attempts, 1 nest not breeding, 2 nests with eggs, and 13 chicks including 3 nests with 2 healthy, similar sized large chicks.
A good season for Knight’s Point too.
While materials were chosen that would stand up to the harsh coastal conditions, those same coastal conditions are conducive to plant growth! Occasional checks of the fences have been carried out by volunteers and rangers so that any maintenance needs can be identified and remedied. The never-ending need for maintenance is managing the vegetation that can grow through the fence, for example gorse, blackberry and hydrangea, pushing it to breaking point in places, or flop over causing damage from the weight of rank grass, rushes and weeds such as montbretia.
Volunteers recently spent a few hours tidying up the main fence along Woodpecker Bay north of Punakaiki so a big shout out to them - thank you Fiona, Jony, Reef, Katrina, Mandy, Marty, Teresa and Deb! Flax had been pressing down on the fence, but now the fence has been freed up by these wonderful volunteers - and they picked up a fair bit of rubbish too.
Volunteer Natassja Savidge has offered to check and help maintain the Hokitika penguin protection fence and joined Ranger Lucy Waller and Manager Inger Perkins in May to inspect the length of the fence. Some minor issues were found but the main finding was the extent of the vegetation growth that was damaging the fence in places. Big thanks to Natassja!
