Canterbury Kaka Populations

[Adam C]

Anyone have any info on recent kaka population trends in Canterbury especially in Lewis Pass and Arthurs. I vividly remember being surrounded by 8 birds on the start of the Hope track about 8-9 years ago and we used to regularly hear them half way up through the bush on deer hunting trips. These days I do 1-2 trips per year and havent seen them on the last couple of occassions. I'd love to know any recent figures on how they're doing.

[Davidthomas]

They’re definitely up the Hawdon and head of the Poulter Valleys. And also in Lake Sumner area up the head of the south branch Hurunui and potentially up the Nina Valley also(unsure if this is still Canterbury)

[Adam C]

Thanks DT. I'm also interested to hear from DOC or the like, how much trapping is going on outside the Hawden in the likes of the Hope/Lewis on top of the mast year 1080 drops. Also if they are stable or still in decline or slightly on the up. Such a dam precious bird that gets smashed by high stoat/wasp numbers. Mind you they're all precious I guess

[andrewcrossland]

Yep, Hawdon, Andrews, Binser all have low numbers of Kaka. Sometimes they've been reported from the forests near Oxford, in small flocks, but these may be irruptions.