Figure 1.--.
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Figure 1.--. |
After last year's relocation of theStitchbird to Tiritiri Matangi involving our Glanfield studets, the news is this -- sixteen out of the thirty seven relocated Stitchbirds adapted to the island. The number was consistent with other transfers. Also attributing towards the loss of numbers were birds such as the Bell Bird and the Tui (from the honey eater family). The easily stressed bird dound rough competition on Tiri for food etc. However tee good news was -- six chicks managed to survive the winter, some Stitchbirds using the est boxes, that were built by Glenfield students -- under Mr Whitfield's guidance. The Humming Bird feders, donated by the school in America, re still being used to supplement the birds' feeding as well. The Department of Conservation intends to trap more Stitchbird to hopefully boost the population on Tiritiri. In the meantime the population s being monitored by two University students -- there to learn more about the species. The real impact of the Stitchbirds' survival will not show for a few years yet. But the school's contribution has given them a "flying" start. Both parties benefitted from this experience -- with positive publicity going to our school and 7th form Science Projects being entered into the Science Fairon the Stitchbird of Tiritiri Matangi. We received an ECNZ Premier Award for Camelia Collins' and Brenda McKenzie's science project and the Auckland Science Teachers Association Secondary Award for David Croul and Nick Breen. Congratulations. As for the future -- planned bird releases may involve College students again, but for now we will just have to wait and watch the progress on Tiritiri Matangi.
Olivia Montgomerie, "Glenfield College, 1996".
