Robin numbers drop

Press, 19 February 1983, Page 5

Robin numbers drop

A poor breeding season has seen the black robin population on the Chatham Islands drop to 11 birds, one less than last year. A Wildlife Service officer, Mr Don Merton, said that the news was’ not good, but he remained “quietly optimistic” for the future of the endangered species.

Mr Merton blamed the last breeding season on unusual weather — a dry winter followed by a wet, cold, windy spring and early summer. Two black robins had died during the winter and the 10 remaining birds hatched only four eggs this season, with two chicks surviving past the nestling stage.

The worst setback had been the loss of a valuable two-year-old female who disappeared without trace during a cold spell just as she was about to lay her third clutch for the season.

It had been suggested that the poor result was a result of the Wildlife Service pushing the robins too hard by producing additional eggs. “This is a natural reaction but we do not believe it is valid,” he said. “Many bird populations failed to breed successfully this season and a number apparently failed to nest at all.”

Wildlife officers hoped to have three good breeding pairs of robins next season. “That is the most we will

have had since the, historic decline on Little Mangere Island 10 years ago when the tiny forest habitat died off, and with it the robins,” said Mr Merton.

Government approval to establish a second population of black robins on South-East Island, another in the Chathams group, was the most significant development this season. A pair of birds was moved there last month and it was hoped that another two birds would be transferred later this year.

South East Island was larger than Mangere, with a better climate and range ol insects for the robin to feed on.