Orokonui Ecosanctuary conservation manager Elton Smith with
a newly-banded young saddleback. Photo supplied.
The saddlebacks released into the Orokonui Ecosanctuary
last April are breeding a month earlier than they had on their
old home on Ulva Island, ecosanctuary general manager Chris
Baillie says.
About 34 of the nationally-endangered birds were released
into the ecosanctuary, the first time the saddleback (or
tieke) had lived on the South Island in 100 years.
Ms Baillie said the early start to breeding showed the
parents were in good condition and there was probably a lot
of food in the ecosanctuary.
"Although successful breeding is a good sign for the
reintroduced population, it is still too early to say whether
the population will start to grow."
The first two saddleback nestlings, about 15 days old, had
been banded, as they were expected to leave the nest within
the next week, she said. Another pair have just had their
nestlings hatch.
Researchers and staff would use the bands to identify and
track the birds.
Since the assisted migration of about 25 South Island robins
(or toutouwai) from commercial forest plantations in
Flagstaff and the Silverpeaks in April this year, eight had
returned and at least six birds were settled within the
predator-proof fence, Ms Baillie said.
"One of those birds, a female was resighted for the first
time since being released, when she was found with one of the
males two weeks ago. Researchers hope that there may be a few
other robins secretly hanging out in or around the sanctuary
looking for mates."
One pair was feeding nestlings, while another pair was about
to start nesting, she said.
University of Otago associate professor of zoology Dr Ian
Jamieson said a team was surveying the ecosanctuary for
sightings of robins and saddlebacks which fledged last year
to see if they survived winter.
The early breeding and survival rates of the fledglings were
critical to whether populations grew and established in the
ecosanctuary, he said.
Another release of robins was planned for a few months' time,
to top up the population within the ecosanctuary.
- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
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