Saddlebacks (tieke), have a reputation as prolific breeders and they’re proving that to be true at Bushy Park. Thirty-six of the rare birds were released at Bushy Park in June, of which 14 were females. Of these, five pairs are now nesting or caring for young. More chicks are expected as saddlebacks can have two or more nests each season.

Saddlebacks had disappeared from the mainland by the end of the 19th century and survived only on offshore islands. They’ve since been reintroduced but exist in just two mainland areas, one of which is Bushy Park. The birds were released there after being captured on Mokoia Island, Lake Rotorua. Allan Anderson, chairman of the executive committee of the Bushy Park Trust, is confident the saddlebacks will become well established within two or three years.

"They’re not long range flyers," Allan says, "so they’re likely to stay in the reserve. They’re very vulnerable to predators, so the fence around the reserve is showing its worth. We hope their population will double every year."

And three more kiwi chicks have just been released at Bushy Park. Allan says the reserve’s role as a crèche is also showing its worth as that brings the number of kiwi chicks released to 30 this year. The chicks are hatched at Rainbow Springs, Rotorua and brought to Bushy Park when they’re a few weeks old. They’re left to run loose with transmitters attached until they’re about six months or 1.2kg in bodyweight, then released into the wild.

"We’ve just had two of our own eggs hatched as well," says Allan. "They’re coming thick and fast now. The concept of Bushy Park as a predator free sanctuary is really coming into its own now. It’s a real treasure for Wanganui and one of the most important sanctuaries on the mainland for the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Programme."