June to December 2025 and early indications in 2026
For the second season in a row, difficulty monitoring for kororā footprints (early in the morning at low tides) was increased by the presence of woody debris, logs and shells covering a significant portion of the intertidal zone. Numbers of birds appear to be similar to the previous season with 20-30 pairs detected in December.
We arranged a visit by Miro, a 5 year old German Short-haired Pointer cross. He is one of the few conservation dogs in Aotearoa certified by DOC to search for protected seabirds. With his handler Jo Sim, he searched for Paekākāriki kororā and helped verify our results.
We are part of a nationwide kororā diet study. DNA analysis of a winter feces (scat) sample showed our local penguins fed on a diet of 95% anchovies (Engraulis australis) and some pilchards. These tests run by Wilderlab NZ cost $290 each. We would like to contribute further samples – donations for scat analysis and towards conservation dog visits are most welcome.
One of our regular ‘hosts’ on Ames Street has shared their property with kororā for over 40 years and provided alternate safe housing/nest boxes for ten years. One box occupied this season fledged two chicks just before Christmas. A trail camera showed mixed results; blackbirds are certainly not camera shy whereas kororā focused on getting to the nest by the shortest possible route and their chicks kept a very low profile.
Mana and Kāpiti Islands remain important sanctuaries for penguins and, of course, healthy populations of fish in the ocean off our coast are vital. A kororā may swim up to 50km or more per day in search of food. Plastic rubbish picked up off the beach prevents ingestion out at sea by both fish and kororā. Thanks to those who do this regularly and to a local business display which was admired by visitors.
Residents are beginning to hear kororā conversations again under and around buildings as birds check out territory, old haunts and woo mates.
Human enthusiasm is high for actively fostering these avian friends (includes habitat restoration, dogs on leads at all times [south of Beach Road is a KCDC sensitive wildlife site] and trapping for rats, mice, stoats and weasels). Every helping hand adds to kororā conservation efforts around the motu.
Contact Glenda or Sue for nest boxes, further information and to donate [email protected]
