Good numbers of mohua, one of the country's most endangered
birds, have been found by the Department of Conservation
during a recent annual survey in the Catlins.
A recent report to the Otago Conservation Board by Otago Doc
officials noted that mohua, also known as yellowhead, had
been enjoying "one of their best breeding seasons" after a
1080 poisoning operation in 2009 to stop a rat plague. Doc
staff were carrying out further monitoring to determine chick
survival.
Other birds benefiting from pest control included South
Island robins in the Silver Peaks area. A University of Otago
researcher studying the impact of 1080 on robins found a 1080
drop had wiped out rat and possum populations, while not
affecting the robins, the report noted.
• The conservation board also heard the Papatowai camping
ground, closed several years ago because of a substandard
sewerage system, had reopened after Doc installed a new
state-of-the-art wastewater system and gave the grounds a
facelift.
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