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February 2008
Kiwi
news…
The two kiwi chicks we received in December last year and hatched in
the Bayer incubation unit are both healthy and safe and have started
their new lives on Limestone Island. A third kiwi chick that was
also sent to us for recovery has been transferred to Limestone as
well. These chicks are part of ‘Operation Nest Egg’ and will stay on
Limestone for 12 months, after which they will be released back on
the mainland.
Two weeks ago we were sent a kiwi chick that was around five days
old and it has a long road of recovery ahead. It looks like it
suffered a big fall and it may loose the use of its right eye. The
toes on its left foot have curled under to form a fist. Once we sort
these problems out we should be able to send it to the island as
well.
The Bayer incubation unit was setup in 1994 and to date we have
hatched 138 kiwi chicks. When the program first began I was working
closely with Rogan Colbourne from the Department of Conservation in
Wellington. Working with Rogan was amazing as he had so much
knowledge and was always happy to share it. In these early days I
had often thought about hatching chicks using captive kiwi, but
after seeing how well ‘Operation Nest Egg’ worked I am pleased we
didn’t go down that path. I believe that if a bird is not injured
then it should be free in the wild not stuck in a cage.
A growing interest…
The education program we run at the Centre has definitely proven its
worth and many groups are now benefiting from it. Not only do we
work with school groups but we now have great working relationships
with Land Care groups, private land owners and forestry workers,
plus many others. There are now hundreds of people involved in and
concerned with saving Northland‘s protected birds, and the results
of this growing interest are starting show. It’s terrific and is
something we should all be proud of. If you are a land owner and
want advice about predator control or what can you do to help the
wildlife in Northland then contact the Department of Conservation or
the Northland Regional Council as they have the right people that
can help. Alternatively, you can contact us and we can steer you in
the right direction.
Centre happenings…
We have two tour groups that visit us and they now choose to stay
over night in Whangarei. Convincing visitors that Whangarei is a
great destination is something we all need to work on. Getting
visitors to see Whangarei as a great place to stay a night or two
will help many of our local businesses and provide benefits to the
local economy.
We have an art display on show at the old library. Call in and have
a look. Here you will see some of the finest paintings and photos by
local Artists. All the funds raised from this exhibition will be
given to the Centre, so get along and support it.
A big thank you to those who have sent in donations over the last
two months. Remember, the Centre is here for all to enjoy, the more
support we get the more service we can provide.
At long last the chick season is slowing down. We have some new
ideas to improve the displays at the Centre and the slowing of the
chick season means we will be able to get stuck into some
maintenance at the Centre.
Robert & Robyn Webb |
Other Issues:
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006 |
