references
mast in 2002/2003 appears to have been the cause of an 80% decline in kea numbers at Nelson Lakes – something which would have been unsustainable with the current low kea population numbers in the area. Arthur’s Pass – Hawdon Valley In the Hawdon Valley (Arthur’s Pass), 4 breeding females were monitored across the season; however, only 2 of these attempted to nest, How and Beryl. How successfully raised 3 chicks, and Beryl raised 2 to fledging. Kahurangi National Park In Kahurangi National Park, a total of 13 females were monitored. Although motion sensor cameras recorded females visiting nest cavities and one female even laying eggs, the presence of rats
appeared to stop any other attempts at laying. No chicks were produced in this area. One of our resident breeding females, Janis Joplin, was not seen throughout the breeding season, and her body was recovered in November. Her radio transmitter was found to have gone into mortality mode in March 2014 (before the start of the breeding season). Due to the decomposition of her remains, the cause of her death is unknown. Otira and Westland (Paringa) In Otira and Westland, 11 females were monitored. One nest in Westland was confirmed as having 2 eggs late in the season: November; and 1 chick was observed alive and well at the end of February. Unfortunately, a final visit in March 2015 to check end of season camera footage revealed that this chick had
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been attacked by a stoat prior to fledging and chased out of the nest. The outcome of this attack is unconfirmed as no remains have been found (the chick did not have a transmitter attached); however, due to the sustained nature of the attack, the kea would most likely have suffered serious injuries and died. In Otira, the first ever confirmed sighting of a kea nesting above ground was recorded! Unfortunately due to the location of the nest (6 metres above the ground), cameras were not able to be set up to see what was going on inside, so it is not known whether any eggs were laid or not. No chicks were produced.
Photo: Mat Goodman