NZ Herald

An enormous effort to save native birds from a tide of pests has delivered some promising results in the South Island, following 1080 drops across vast swathes of beech forest.

Despite rat populations reaching plague levels in some areas - on the back of a one-in-15-year beech seeding event last spring - tracking rates indicate rats and stoats were knocked down to undetectable or very low levels at most sites, giving much needed protection to vulnerable native birds and bats.

Over the past eight months, the Department of Conservation has treated more than 600,000 hectares of priority conservation areas using aerial 1080 drops to control rats, possums and stoats as part of its coordinated programme dubbed the Battle for Our Birds.

Department of Conservation

Over the last eight months DOC has treated more than 600,000 hectares of priority conservation areas using aerial 1080 to control rats, possums and stoats as part of its coordinated Battle for our Birds programme. 

Poison bait stations and expanded trapping networks were also employed to combat the rising predator numbers fuelled by a once-in-15-year beech seeding event.

Stuff.co.nz

Kokako in the Hunua Ranges don't appear to have bred successfully during the 2014/15 season.

A population of endangered kokako in the Hunua Ranges near Auckland has suffered a serious blow due to rising pest numbers.

Results from the 2014/15 breeding season show no new chicks and four missing breeding pairs.

The results are much worse than expected, and high numbers of pests such as rats and stoats are to blame, Auckland Council said.

"This year's results are dismal with no fledging success at all and, of even greater concern, signs that adult birds have been lost," biodiversity manager Rachel Kelleher said.