13 Mile Bush-Kea nest-a
happy ending?
On the 23rd
August, during the course of a Stu McHugh led tramp near 13 mile Bush into the
Benmore Hut (just this side of Porters Pass), our group spotted what appeared
to be a Kea nest with 3 eggs in it. From the photo I took, it was later
positively identified as such. (see photo #1)The nest was in a bank right
beside a farm track and looked very vulnerable indeed.
On our
return, I emailed DOC and also a Kea preservation group a map, GPS coordinates
and a photo as DOC have indicated they are keen to know of such sightings.
I heard
nothing until yesterday (27th Sept) when I received the following email message
and photo from a Mr Ray Goldring, of Castle Hill Village:-
Hi
Paul - We (Maree & I) are fulltime residents of Castle Hill
Village and members of the Kea Conservation group. Tamsin forwarded your email
onto us. Since we received it we have contacted the farmer and he has been very
cooperative in helping. We (DOC & us) have put 4 stoat traps surrounding
the nest and DOC staff checks them regularly. The farmer has stopped hunters
and dogs from entering that area. Attached is a photo taken by DOC staff during their initial
visit.
Our
extreme thanks for notifying the Trust and we hope the outcome will be very
positive with a new batch of kea to stave off the current decline.
Take
care and we'll keep you in touch as things progress - cheers – Ray
So, an excellent result and
hopefully a good outcome.
Paul K