Key results
Possum control - vegetation response
Possum numbers were maintained at very low levels in the treatment area with no browse observed on the sensitive plant species monitored. Monitoring with waxed chew sticks confirmed this result. Kill trapping continued in RNRP, and a continued presence of neighbouring Animal Health Board maintenance operations may have affected local possum activity.
Rodent control
Rat tracking indices demonstrated that the trapping regime had produced a significant difference between the treatment and non-treatment area however tracking tunnel rates peaked at 39% in the treatment area indicating a serious failure to meet the target figure during a heavy beech masting event using snap trapping alone. A trap trial comparing Victor snap traps with Thomas traps was also carried out. The 2006 seedfall can just be described as a full mast event. It was also energetically high due to dominance of red beech seed. This seedfall event ranks second in both number and energetic contribution of all seedfall events recorded at this site (from 1997).
Mustelid control
Another moderate mustelid year was experienced based upon capture records. Again, tracking tunnel data demonstrated a significant difference in presence between the non-treatment site and the treated site. A similar but slightly higher result was recorded in the Wairau Valley indicating the Friends of Rotoiti mustelid control is effective at reducing mustelid activity.
Wasp control
An area of 1100 hectares was again treated with a non-preferred toxin, Finitron as opposed to the toxin of choice which had been Fipronil. The 2005-06 season was a high wasp season. Poisoning achieved a reduction in wasp numbers but failed to reduce wasps below the Ecological Damage Threshold (EDT). No assessment of invertebrate response was undertaken.
Response of native fauna
The kaka project’s objective to monitor 30 nesting attempts in RNRP was achieved this year concluding the study.
Twelve females were monitored this year, nine of which attempted to breed. From eleven nesting attempts six nests were successful, producing a total of 16 chicks, seven of which were female; a much higher percentage than in previous years. An effort was also made to retrieve transmitters by mist netting outside nests.
For the first time since the extended stoat control regime was put in place, two adult females were predated on nests within RNRP, both by stoats. The mean mustelid track rate per line in the RNRP was held within the 5% threshold recommended by Greene et. al. (2004), as providing most benefit to kaka populations.
This year saw an increase in the number of robins holding territories within the survey this year. In July 2005 rodent trapping intensities were doubled in the surveyed area/Loop track which appears to have made a considerable difference to the robin population. However rodent tracking rates are still far above the 5% target.
Five-minute bird counts were characterised by high counts for several species in May. Five minute bird counts were continued but were not subjected to any substantial analysis.
Great spotted kiwi
Of the nine original kiwi one has been lost and one was found dead presumed drowned. Of the seven remaining six were recaptured and the health checks indicated body conditions ranging from good to excellent. Four nesting attempts were monitored with breeding confirmed in three after the discovery of one chick and two with egg shell fragments. The Technical Report on the first phase was published. Seven further kiwi were translocated from Gouland Downs and all remain in the project area.
Advocacy and education
The presence of kiwi has maintained high public interest and support for the wider project. Local media have been active in pursuing the birds’ progress with particular focus on the transfer of a further seven bird’s to the project area in May and the discovery of the chick Rito during the annual health checks. Evening talks at the Rotoiti Lodge and walks on the Honeydew Walk, predominantly for school groups, have largely maintained their popularity. Revive Rotoiti, was published twice during the year.
Volunteers and Friends of Rotoiti
Casual volunteers, predominantly from New Zealand, continue to be an important resource to support the mainland island effort with 195 days of effort. The Friends of Rotoiti attracted new members and continued a solid effort in both rat and stoat trapping. The group set up a new stoat trapping line in September which runs from the start of the Lakeside Track on the western shore of Lake Rotoiti to Whisky Falls.
Research
Landcare continue to use the project area as a research site. Three reports were received for work on malaise sample analysis, beech scale insect distribution and bellbird nesting success. Two research proposals on introduced bird competition and fuschia recruitment were also received.
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