National kea and kaka databases

Forest and Bird, Volume 22, Issue 4, 1 November 1991, Page 52

National kea and kaka databases

This summer (1991-92) is the beginning of the third year of the kea and kaka schemes. I’ve received much valuable information from Forest and Bird members around New Zealand over these last two years, which has been inputted onto the computer but even with this information it is difficult to see what might be happening to the birds. The sightings received so far can be summarised. as follows: North Island Kaka ¢ Moderate numbers in Pureora, Tongariro, Kaimanawa, Urewera. e Few in Tararua, Ruahine, Raukumera, Coromandel ranges. e Vagrants around northern North Island. ¢ Noticeably no sightings from Egmont, Wanganui. ¢ Most sightings are of one or two birds, occasional larger flocks in February. e Seen between 0-1500 metres, averaging around 450-700 (summer), and 400-550 m (winter). South Island Kaka e Moderate numbers in Fiordland, Mt Aspiring, Westland. e Scattered throughout lower altitude valleys of the western main divide, Paparoas, Richmond Range, Nelson Lakes. ¢ No sightings from eastern divide, Lake Sumner, Arthur’s Pass. ¢ Most sightings are of one or two birds, occasional larger flocks in February April. ¢ Seen between 0-1200 metres, averaging around 450-700 m (summer) and 50-200 (winter). Kea ¢ Well represented in Fiordland, Westland, Mt Aspiring, North West

Nelson, Landsborough, Whitcombe. ¢ Some present in Richmond Range, Kaikouras, Nelson Lakes, Paparoas, Craigeburn. ¢ Numbers seen are very variable. ¢ Seen between 20-2400 metres, averaging about 950-1400, but also vary variable throughout the year. I don’t wish to bias the database by requesting sightings of particular birds from particular areas. However, sightings from less accessible areas or birds out of their normal range are always valuable.-Please keep on recording accurate location (map reference if possible), altitude, date and time, number of birds seen. Send sightings to; Michael Wakelin, Science and Research Division, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10-420, Wellington.