references
sheep (totalling 450) were also mustered into the yards. No kea flagging was observed on any of the sheep. The repellent was visible on all the treatment sheep, and the repellent mix had become hard on the sheep’s wool. Wool samples were collected from the six individually marked sheep (3 Merino, 3 Perendale) to be re-analysed for potency of the repellent’s active ingredient, anthraquinone (AQ) to ensure it was still active. Presence of kea was confirmed
during the trial period on only one occasion by the shepherd who heard a kea on 15 May just at dusk. Two observers completed a walking survey for kea over a two hour period between 2030-2230 hours in calm, clear conditions. No kea were heard on any of the four acoustic recorders deployed between 2000 hours and 0600 hours at 368-807m due to card corruption. Although results to date are promising (this is the first year that no sheep strike has occurred
on this property) they remain inconclusive. In between trials (winter 2013), 40 hoggets were found dead on this property with distinctive kea strike wounds. As such, and to increase confidence in the use of bird repellents on sheep as an effective kea deterrent, additional trials will need to be conducted to increase sample size.
All photos: Tamsin Orr-Walker
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