Last week we had a visit from Sarah Wells, and her assistant Matuna two Auckland students who are researching Tui all over the country, this research has never been done before. The girls took blood samples, tagged and measured 15 Tui caught at Bluff, they also caught 15 at Otatara and are currently at Rakiura to catch 30 there.
DNA testing of the blood samples will show them weather our birds are genetically diverse or interbreeding due to extensive loss of habitat in Southland. This research is vital for the future survival of these iconic birds.
DNA testing of the blood samples will show them weather our birds are genetically diverse or interbreeding due to extensive loss of habitat in Southland. This research is vital for the future survival of these iconic birds.
left: Sarah & Matuna taking a Tui form the mist net
right: Chris holding a tui for Sarah
The girls had 10 days to catch the 15 Tui needed at Bluff so they contacted Chris and Estelle who have been feeding Tui in their yards over winter, Sarah and Matuna set up the mist nets at Chris' house on day one and caught 8 Tui in about 3 hours. The next day even though the weather took a turn for the worst, the girls were able to caught the other 7 at Estelle's in little over an hour. They then had a few extra days to explore some of Southland before heading off to Stewart Island. Great effort girls!!!
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