Kea Summer Surveys

Establishing accurate numbers of individuals within wild animal populations can be extremely difficult. Kea, a species that covers an extensive and largely inaccessible range of the South Island, and which at specific life stages are behaviorally cryptic, are particularly problematic.

As an endangered/threatened species however it is vitally important to identify population status and numbers to ensure that they are assigned the appropriate level of conservation priority.

Kea numbers have been estimated at between 1000-5000 (Anderson, 1986) and 15,000 (Bond & Diamond, 1992; and Jackson, 1960). Additionally it is agreed that very little is known about the ongoing status and stability of kea populations (Grant et al, 1993; Elliott and Kemp, 2004).

The Kea Conservation Trust with support from conservation organisations and individuals, seeks to provide a more accurate estimate of kea numbers using a combined winter and summer survey across the species range and across years. 

• 2010 Summer Survey
• 2009 Summer Survey

2010 Summer Survey

(funded by NZ Lottery Grant Board and Keystone Trust)

The second year of kea monitoring took place in the Nelson Lakes (Raglan Range, St Arnaud Range and Robert Ridge) and Arthurs Pass (Hawdon Range) between the 7th and 17th January this year. Field personnel covered between 14 - 37 sites (up to 11,600ha) of prime kea habitat in each of these areas.

As with last years survey, this work required a group of experienced bird handlers (EBH's) paired up with volunteers to climb up to treeline (approx 1500-1700m) over a 10 day period in an effort to sight all resident kea in the area and catch and band birds for identification.

Dr. Nigel Adams and Raoul Schwing working with kea at Arthur's Pass in January. Photo credit: Laura Young

Blood was also taken to support genetics research being carried out by Otago Universities Dr Bruce Robertson, and to test for beak and feather in the wild population (DoC).

Raoul getting up close and personal with a kea at Arthurs Pass. Photo credit: Nigel Adams

Thank You to our supporters!

We would like to take the time to thank those people and organisations who helped make this years survey a success.

At Nelson Lakes:

• DOC St Arnaud provided a communication base, loaned some gear (a VHF radio), provided a key for the Rainbow Skifield road and accommodation at Cummings Cottage. Dave Rees in particular aided this survey immensely in terms of logistics.
• Josh Kemp of DOC Science and Research in Nelson provided advice, 3 VHF radios and kea catching and processing equipment.
• Doc Westport and DOC Boundary Stream each provided a VHF radio.
• Rob Merrilesse of NIWA in Nelson provided a key for the Wairau cableway at Dip Flat.
• Audrey and Calum McLeod of Rotoiti Water Taxis Ltd provided a pickup from Coldwater Hut.
• Michael and Diane Lookman who stored the Nelson Lakes food supplies.
• Rhys Buckingham (Wildlife Surveys Ltd) loaned a GPS and 2 HF handheld radios.
• Matt Charteris (Waybacks Ltd) loaned 2 GPS, miscellaneous outdoor gear and a 4wd vehicle.
• Reuben Lane loaned use of his 4wd vehicle.
• Kate Morgan provided a VHF radio from the Renwick DOC office and also loaned use of her vehicle.
• Andrew Fidler who transported personnel between Nelson airport and St Arnauds during the survey.
• And last but never least, thanks to all our field personnel and volunteers; Kate Morgan, Frances Schmechel, Reuben Lane, Jeroen Lurling, Corey Mosen, Lorne Roberts, Jules Robson, Jessica Reedy, Andre Suchanski, Matt Chateris and Tamsin Orr-Walker.

Helicharters Nelson, dropping off

the very weary survey team in Nelson Lakes.

 At Arthurs Pass:

• DoC Arthur's Pass for support and storage facilities for the teams food.
• Laura Young and Paul van Klink for use of their vehicles during the survey.
• And last but not least thanks to all our field personnel and volunteers: Nigel Adams, Raoul Schwing, Daniel Palmer, Stephen Parker, Laura Young, Mark Neilson, Angelique Richards and Paul van Klink.

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 Summer snowfall at Arthurs Pass!!

Photo credit: N. Adams

The Nelson Lakes field team from left to right:

Reuben Lane, Corey Mosen, Jeroen Lurling, Lorne Roberts, Tamsin Orr-Walker, Andre Suchanski, Jess Reedy, Matt Chateris, Kate Morgan and Frances Schmechel.

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2009 Summer Survey

The first intensive summer survey ran from the 7th - 17th January 2009.

Three sites were surveyed simultaneously by 48 field personnel over the 10 days. The sites were located in the Nelson Lakes area, Arthurs Pass (Poulter and Hawdon valleys) and the Borland Range in Fiordland.

Borland, Fiordland, Kea Survey campsite

Photo credit: Vicky Nall

Each of these areas have different pest management regimes in place (Nelson Lakes - bait stations for stoats and possums, Arthurs Pass - aerial 1080 drops and Borland no pest managment).

The Nelson Lakes site was of particular interest as a concise study of this area and the nesting success of kea had been undertaken over a 6 year period in the 90's by Josh Kemp and Dr Graeme Elliott (of Nelson/Marlborough DoC). During that period there was seen to be a high level of nesting success within the area with approx 26 active nest sites identified (several of these occupied by the same pair). Predation was also considered to be low at that time (refer to Conservation Ecology of Kea for the full report).

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Josh Kemp (DoC) checking out kea nest site, Nelson Lakes.

The majority of these nests were checked during the Nelson Lakes survey and all barr two were found to be unoccupied (although no chicks were observed in either). A further nest was found which contained two newly fledged chicks.

Several nest sites showed evidence of possum activity in and around the area whilst two of these had possum carcasses inside. The effect of possums on kea nesting success is unknown and as such continued monitoring of these nests during 2009 will be initiated.

A curious kea checking out whats on the menu!                         And whats in the boots!

Photo credits: Corey Mosen 2009

During our survey in January, a total of 48 personnel (experienced bird handlers paired with keen volunteers!) were positioned over the 3 sites at approx 90+ survey points (at treeline at each spur)over the 10 days. Site access required field personnel to undertake some seriously gruelling tramping over some pretty tough (and often vertical) terrain to each survey point in time for an afternoon (5-9pm) and early morning (6-10am) formal survey.

Surveyers were to record numbers of birds sighted and where possible catch, and band any kea observed. Any fledglings were also to have satellite or VHF transmitters attached to them.

Tamsin Orr-Walker, (KCT Chair) with adult male kea at Nelson Lakes.

A KCT kea survey volunteer taking time out for physical and mental therapy in Arthurs Pass!!

Photo credit: David Cregan

We would like to take the time to thank all of our field personnel for their enthusiasm and sheer guts! This was not an easy undertaking and we appreciate all your hard work!

See you all next year!!

The Nelson Lakes kea survey group (Left to Right): Patrick Stewart, Kirsty Moran (DoC), Lorne Roberts (KCT), Andrew Fidler (KCT), Tamsin Orr-Walker (KCT), Nigel Stevenson (DoC), Josh Kemp (DoC/KCT), Rachel Johnson, Peter Gaze (DoC), Kate Morgan (DoC), Ralph Powlesland (DoC), Matt Chateris, Frances Schmechel, Corey Mosen (DoC/KCT).

Half of the Borland, Fiordland Team

Photo credit: Vicky Nall

Photo Credit: Nigel Adams