KAPITI SANCTUARY

Forest and Bird, Issue 8, 1 March 1925, Page 13

KAPITI SANCTUARY

J . Three members of the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society and also of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union, who recently visited Kapiti, have furnished the following report to the Secretary of the former Society. In the area of bush on thef northern end of the sanctuary, where the animals have been driven off, the regeneration of the forest is very notable, large numbers of young seedlings are in evidence and the bush has taken on a fresher aspect while the trees are bearing much more berries with a corresponding increase in bird life, in fact the number of tuis, Popokotea ! and wekas remind one of old-time bird conditions in New Zealand; large numbers of young birds of these species being present. A nice few. pigeons are to be seen, besides parakeets both red and yellow headed, bellbirds are fairly numerous, robins have also somewhat increased. Kaka are scarce, also fantails. No wrens, warblers or riflemen were seen. One kiwi was heard calling one night and was within a few feet of one member 1 of the party. As to sea birds: penguin, gannet, mackrell gull, blue herons, tern, blackbacked gull have held good. , In the southern area, south of Taepiro Gully, numbers of animals, including, from 1000 to 1500 sheep, are still present and the forest in this area does not therefore show equal regeneration. In parts where animals are scarce the natural coastal fringe

of taupata is endeavouring to re-establish itself; numbers of seedlings being in evidence. Some 83 goats were counted one day on the western cliffs. What the bush and scrub areas contain is difficult to estimate. It is understood a contract is to be let for the removal of the wild sheep but we think, nevertheless, representations should be made to the authorities as to the advisability of expediting the quitting of these animals. The question of totally, exterminating the goats, now much reduced in numbers, is difficult and will take a little time and energy, but we think the numbers of wild sheep excessive, especially ,as skins have been so high in price and that a good opportunity is being possibly lost. Kapiti, . with the removal of the stock and the consequent regeneration of the forest, would in time be capable of supporting vastly more bird life than at present, and be much enhanced, from a scenic point of view. The southern landing on the island at Wharekohu Bay forms a very tempting avenue for poaching, and the services of an assistant caretaker resident there with intercommunication with the present caretaker is desirable to prevent poaching and fires, and to assist in opossum trapping. There is ample necessary work at this southern end for such assistance and money judiciously spent in necessary work now would greatly assist regeneration. The visiting members were impressed with the general improvement which has taken place on the sanctuary within the past two years. The main present hindrances to even more notable advances are now the sheep and opossums. The latter animals appearing to have increased within the last twelve months. A few more species, of our birds might well be introduced on this sanctuary as. for instance, saddle back, stich bird, blue duck, pukeko, also the tuatara lizard. A very remarkable and ! interesting lesson can be learnt on Kapiti. First of all an example was to be seen of the deplorable damage animals can do to our forests; then, even with only partial extermination comes a marvelously quick and wonderful regeneration of forest and native bird life in the portion where animals are driven off. Our mainland forest reserves and sanctuaries are merely Kapiti on another scale.