COASTAL OTAGO HOIHO MONITORING 2017/18

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1 COASTAL OTAGO HOIHO MONITORING 2017/18

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5 Acknowledgements DOC Oamaru staff Pip Agnew and the OBP team Penguin Rescue YEPT staff Winsome White and Jim Caldwell Aramoana Conservation Trust DOC Dunedin staff Penguin Place staff Des Neill David McKay Elm Wildlife Staff Otago University staff and students (Especially Mel Young!) DOC Southland staff Leith Thomson Fergus Sutherland Many, many volunteers

6 Hoiho populations Demographically Independent Management Units 1. Southern populations Campbell Island Auckland Islands 2. Mainland population Banks Peninsula Otago Rakiura, Bravo and Titi I. Whenua Hou

7 Nest and productivity monitoring Nest search estimate = 254 nests The last 3 years returned similar 25 year low counts of around nests Productivity monitoring at 27 sites Fledge rate down on last year for OP Chicks in good condition at fledge Small re-occurrence of unexplained adult deaths (affecting 4 birds) Avian Malaria had an impact late season Fewer juveniles seen this season cf last

8 Breeeding pairs 700 Estimated number of YEPs in Otago (breeding pairs)

9 North Otago 52 nests 9 known sites 52 nests: Bushy Beach = 3 ( 1) Beach Road = 0 (NC) Waianakarua = 0 (NC) Okahau Point = 18 ( 3) Katiki Point = 27 ( 1) Katiki Beach = 2 ( 2) Shag Point = 0 (NC) Tavora = 2 ( 1)

10 Otago Peninsula - 91 nests (1) 8 known sites 12 nests: (19 including est. site) Whareakeake = 0 (NC) Kaikai = 0 (NC) Aramoana = 4 (NC) Otekiho (0) Kumokumowhero (7 est.) Omihi = 2 (NC) Pipikaretu = 4 ( 1) Ryans Beach = 2 ( 1)

11 Otago Peninsula (2) 6 known sites 29 nests: (17 monitored) Victory Beach = 4 ( 2) Dick s Bush = 0 ( 1) Fuchsia Gully = 3 (NC) Papanui = 12 (NC) Otapahi = 10 ( 4) Allans Beach 0 (NC)

12 Otago Peninsula (3) 8 known sites 43 nests: Sandymount = 3 ( 1) Sandfly Bay = 2 (NC) Waterfall Bay = 0 (NC) Double Bay = 3 ( 1) Midsection = 8 ( 2) A1 = 3 ( 1) 8 Highcliff = 12 ( 3) Green Island = 12est

13 Catlins 111 nests (1) 5 tracked sites 42 nests: Nugget Point = 12 ( 8) Sandy Bay = 7 ( 1) Jacks Bay = 6 (NC) Penguin Bay = 10 ( 1) Hinahina Cove = 7 ( 1)

14 Catlins (2) 7 tracked sites 45 nests: Purakaunui = 1 ( 2) Harts Rock = 1 (NC) Cosgrove Ck = 8 (NC) Long Point = 17 (NC) Helena Falls = 2 ( 1) Te Rere = 13 (NC) Curio Bay = 3 (NC)

15 Catlins estimated sites Checked every 5 years These sites were checked in 2016 Est. = 24 nest contribution Owaka Heads Tunnel Rocks Flaxy Mahaka Point Tautuku Pen Wallace Head Waiparau Head Long Beach Dummys Beach Teahimate Bay Boat Harbour Blue Cod Bay Slope Point Waipapa Point

16 Productivity monitoring At 27/41 sites searched annually: Area Nest Egg Hatch Fledge per pair North Otago Peninsula Catlins Combined

17 Chicks fledged per pair Otago Peninsula long term data s 1990s 2000s 2010s

18 Chicks fledged per pair 2.00 Chicks fledged per pair Catlins North Otago Otago Peninsula Chicks fledged per pair North Otago Chicks fledged per pair Otago Peninsula Chicks fledged per pair Catlins

19 End of season observations Heaviest Chick? (audience participation!) Marking chicks were dual marked at Boulder Beach, microchipped at other managed sites (n=8). PMs by Massey Uni show a suite of issues continue to have an impact. A few deaths were associated with massive red blood cell breakdown early Feb. Avian malaria impact on adults and chicks across sites at the end of season

20 Closing summary Nest est. = 254 A small bounce back in nest numbers was seen in the north Catlins area last year, but did not persist into this season productivity strongest in the south. Productivity monitoring at 27/40 sites Poor productivity for Otago Peninsula Diphtheria had big impact at northern sites Chicks condition at fledge good injured and low weight birds brought in to Hospital and rehabilitation boosted numbers fledged Avian Malaria and a few cases of unexplained adult deaths. Four deaths attributed to Dogs in Catlins

21 Update on Curio Bay To date around 4000 trees have been planted around the development area, to create potential habitat. Temporary barrier screen has been placed above the underpass entry. Construction of New elongated viewing hide is underway Educational material is distributed free to every camper when they register Large robust signs clearly indicate penguin only zone on rock shelf between ropes New updated interpretation is with designers proofs have been sent to iwi for comment. Options for closing access to rock platform are being investigated.