Target threatened species: Endemic forest birds; South Island kaka, yellowhead / mohua
ABT intend to install a forest bird monitoring programme for indigenous avifauna including riffleman / tītipounamu , tomtit / miromiro, fantail / piwakawaka and other more frequently encountered species to help inform and guide existing and future invasive mammalian predator control efforts in collaboration with Forest and Bird. Methods will include surveyor counts and the use of acoustic recorders. Engagement with the local school is integral to this process and began following a presentation delivery and short exercise on Makarora’s important biodiversity.
The local branch of Forest and Bird (Central Otago) have historically established a predator control trapping programme for Mohua within the Makarora Valley. The success of the trapping programme is measured to some extent by annual mohua population surveys sponsored by the Department of Conservation. This does not include the beech/ podocarp forest which is the current focus of ABT’s forest bird monitoring programme.
