Kakerori starting to recover

Forest and Bird, Volume 21, Issue 4, 1 November 1990, Page 5

Kakerori starting to recover

[x THE AUGUST 1990 issue of Forest & Bird we read of the plight of the kakerori or Rarotonga flycatcher (population circa 30) and the efforts to improve its chances of survival. This year is the second of a major rat poisoning campaign within the bird’s habitat and the signs of recovery already look good. Last year a marvellous volunteer effort by Wellingtonian Eddie Saul led to a breakthrough in juvenile production. The rat control campaign which he carried out allowed 13 kakerori young to successfully © leave the nest, a huge increase on previous years.

How many of those young survived to reach breeding age? After a week of survey, Hugh Robertson of the Department of Conservation reported that at least six of the fledglings had survived the year. He was hopeful of more, since not all of the habitat had yet been searched. In addition, almost all of the previous year’s adults had survived, including three which Rod Hay banded in 1984! Eddie Saul made an even bigger commitment this year. His application for leave from his job at DSIR's Library Centre was not received very sympathetically and he had to retire early, a sacrifice he was prepared to make for the sake of the birds. We trust that Eddie's efforts will provide an even bigger boost to the kakerori this season. Ff