Our Project Island Song summer weed-busting season on Urupukapuka finished at the end of April with the conclusion of Explore’s summer ferry service to Otehei Bay, and is now underway on Moturua.

On Sunday 29 May, Project Island Song released 30 toutouwai (North Island robins) in Entico Bay, Urupukapuka. This, the second of toutouwai translocations to Ipipiri, was the culmination of ten days hard work in Pureora Forest; the weather was against the team making it extremely difficult to gather the requisite number and gender of birds for translocation to the Bay of Islands.

The pest-free islands of Ipipiri, Bay of Islands, are becoming a mecca for birdlife. Since the eradication in 2009, tomtit, fantail and tui are thriving in the absence of predators, and the new arrivals of toutouwai (North Island robin), tieke (saddleback) and popokotea (whitehead) have found sanctuary in their new home with successful breeding seasons reported. With the proximity to the mainland and accessibility of these islands for everybody to enjoy, these safe havens are constantly monitored and managed to defend from invading predators.

On Saturday 23 April, Project Island Song partners, supporters and volunteers celebrated the successful release of 80 pōpokotea/whitehead to two of the main islands of Ipipiri, in the Bay of Islands. The release is part of a bigger ecological restoration programme, with a vision to bring back the birdsong note by note until the ancient dawn chorus is revived.

This autumn we welcome the translocation of two species of native bird – popokotea (whitehead) and toutouwai (North Island robin) to two of the islands of Ipipiri, Moturua and Urupukapuka in the Bay of Islands.

Ipipiri/Eastern Bay of Islands have been pest-free since 2009. Our pest response was tested recently when several rats were detected during routine monitoring on the islands. Department of Conservation release.

Project Island Song is rolling out colourful and informative biosecurity packs to commercial operators around the Bay of Islands. The packs were compiled following a review of the island biosecurity plan, which involves everyone who works and lives on or around the islands. This has been adopted willingly by all and is working well.

Last week, Fleur Corbett spent a day on Urupukapuka and had the chance to catch up with Goodie, resident caretaker at Otehei Bay.

Project Island Song is celebrating the first Tīeke and Pōpokatea fledglings in 100 years to be seen on the islands of Ipipiri.

The main focus of our Kids Restore NZ education programme happens in Term 2, when Bay of Islands’ school children participate in our Floating Classroom programme.