What some of the WHLF monitored kiwi have been up to in October:

Kiwi Release – Eighty locals were in attendance for the release of “Steph,” “Jen,” and “Marcus” at Mark and Claire Pearson’s place at Northern Manaia . It was great to see the locals turn up, including some new faces, to see kiwi released in their backyard. And thanks to Mark and Claire for their hosting of the event.

Marcus – was named by Ben and Jo Barr (Limestone Is Rangers) in honour of Marcus Lush who was filming the TV program “North” at Limestone when they recaptured the kiwi for the release. We released him without a transmitter.

Steph – is a large female who has quickly moved from the release site at Manaia towards Kauri Mt

Jen – is actually a boy and he has also moved towards Kauri Mt and is current hanging out at the end of Kerr road.

Lambert -(Our “Dad of the Year” last year) – Todd visited the pampas bush that has been home to him and his eggs for over 100 days at Taurikura Ridge, and confirmed that he has hatched 2 chicks from his first nest of this season – they have now been DNA sampled and ID chipped. Lambert’s chick timer transmitter data had shown his hatching inactivity, then a slow rise in activity until 17 days after hatching signaling that he was about to leave the chicks. Lambert is now sporting a new CT tx (Chick Timer transmitter). The chicks have been named “ Sandy ” by Audrey of Ocean Flowers and “Alan” in honour of Alan Pike.

Whitu at Reotahi – Also confirmed 2 chicks hatched, again nesting in a pampas bush. These two have been named “Marsden” and “Atarangi” by Dianna Manning and Graeme Cleaver.

King – King’s transmitter signal finally turned up again after 4 months off radar at Kauri Mountain , probably on one of the coastal cliffs there. He is now nesting and his hatch is due around 17 December.

Jackie’s Boy at Nook – This is the new wild male we found last month – he is now nesting in a hollow Puriri only a few meters from the back door of a house at the Nook. His nest is due to hatch around 11 December.

All others accounted for except Daniel who is now hiding somewhere at Kauri Mountain .