James Reardon presents on Sinbad Skinks and mice above the bush line

James Reardon is a scientist working in Fiordland. He writes a great blog and also goes well on a camera. He touches on the problem of managing mice as a pest above the bushline - one of the key issues to be understood, or solved, with rock wren conservation

The Sinbad Sanctuary & Fiordlands hidden lizards from James Reardon on Vimeo.

Tuke teetering on the Mainland

The headline, borrowed from the Newsletter of Fauna Recovery New Zealand, is alarmist perhaps but, who knows. The evidence of stoat predation in the Darrans is certainly bad news.

Here is a Youtube clip produced by Forest and Bird's Sue Maturin, with graphic footage of stoat predation on Rock wren, and the obvious pain in the scientists eyes.

Fauna Recovery NZ is an outstanding friend of NZ nature, they fly under the radar somewhat, at least in the public eye. Their newsletters are worth a read. I am waiting eagerly for the next edition which will hopefully document the results of the survey for Rock Wren on Secretary Island, which they are trying to establish as a safety net for rock wren should populations continue to shrink on the mainland.