RHYS PHILLIP BUCKINGHAM

Interviewer: Chrissie Wicks

Abstracter: Judith Christie

Interview: 2 June 2017

TRACK 1

00.00 Rhys Buckingham, born 1948.

01.30 Interest in KAKAPO first began in 1976-77 when speaking with RON NEILSON in the Catlins. Self was asked to volunteer for a KAKAPO EXPEDITION TO FIORDLAND. Went with RON NEILSON and DON MERTON. WILDLIFE SERVICE had rediscovered kakapo some years before. Went to the DON VALLEY in the TUTUKAU RIVER area. Flew in by helicopter piloted by DICK ANDERSON. Set up camp and started looking for signs of CHEWS, DROPPINGS, and BOOMS. Describes Nothing found, but exciting trip. Experienced a big storm, tent started to fall down.

05.00 Other trips taken to Fiordland. One was based in the SINBAD VALLEY near MITRE PEAK. RON NELSON was with self, while DON MERTON was with another volunteer in the POSEIDON VALLEY. Bird was definitely there, as evidence of TRACKS and BOWLS found. Erected a TRAP to catch the bird, without luck. Campsite was makeshift, with the potential for avalanches. On third night, self went out by himself and waited by a track and bowl, and saw a shadow but had no trap. CAUGHT THE KAKAPO, which injured self. Placed the bird in his hat. Describes

09.45 Showed kakapo to RON NIELSON, who became very excited. Bird called MIRKWOOD, and was placed in a cage and fed. Bird seemed quite happy.

11.30 DON MERTON also caught a bird the same night, and they were flown out by BILL BLACK within the hour. Describes

12.00 Self asked to pull in the RADIO AERIAL, and while doing so kakapo tried to grab it – realized it was mischievous. Those birds went to MAUD ISLAND, where they were destroyed by STOATS. Describes more about Mirkwood

14.45 Mentions kakapo RICHARD HENRY

End of Track One

TRACK TWO

00.00 KAKAPO very INTELLIGENT – all individuals. First kakapo self caught was an amazing bird.

00.30 RICHARD HENRY kakapo caught before self became involved, in 1970s. Found in the TUTUKO BENCH. Placed on LITTLE BARRIER ISLAND. Now dead.

01.30 Self went on one further expedition to the POSEIDON VALLEY, after trying to find a track to POISON BAY from the ARTHUR VALLEY. Describes. Mentions RICHARD GREY – some kakapo work had been done at LAKE LIZ.

03.20 Went with HUGH WILLOUGHBY, (who lost his life on that trip) and worked with RICHARD GREY and found kakapo signs in POSEIDON VALLEY. Area MOUNT TUSK (which self named) where Hugh Willoughby FELL TO HIS DEATH. Mentions another death on LITTLE BARRIER ISLAND.

05.00 STEWART ISLAND – self first involved in 1980. Before that had spent time looking for kokako on Stewart Island.

05.30 Was picked up at MASONS BAY hut and met LOU SANSON and worked with him on Kakapo in SCULLYS FLAT on SOUTHERN STEWART ISLAND. HUGH BEST in charge, along with MARGARET SHEPHERD and her boyfriend. Became close friends with LOU SANSON with shared interests. Tasked with research, looking for signs of kakapo and using transmitters. Spent nights in hides. Describes

07.30 Self owned a good RECORDING SYSTEM, and one night recorded very vocal kakapo.

08.15 One KAKAPO called ALPHONSE became a favourite of Margaret Shepherd – very friendly bird. Self once saw that kakapo crossing the tree tops. Alphonse predated on by a CAT, and kakapo were moved off Stewart Island because of these events, to CODFISH ISLAND.

10.00 Self was the first caretaker on CODFISH ISLAND. POSSUMS and WEKA had been removed by Wildlife Service and a HUT ERECTED. Rough seas when landing on Codfish island and arrived to find hut locked. Describes.

12.15 Spent two seasons looking after kakapo by himself. DON MERTON was the overall boss – self worked with ANDY ROBERTs. Visited sometimes by volunteers and staff from WILDLIFE SERVICE and LANDS AND SURVEY. Bird numbers in the twenties. Self caught them and changed transmitters – had to climb trees. Went out at night to listen to BOOMING.

End of Track Two

TRACK THREE

00.12 One night self observed a MOVEMENT VERY NEAR FLIGHT from SUZANNE, a kakapo who later died. Describes DON MERTON did not believe this.

03.15 Loved working with kakapo on Stewart Island. Introduced SUPPLEMENTARY FOOD, WEIGHED BIRDS to control weight. Disagreed with discontinuation of this practice and left the position.

04.30 RODNEY RUSS and RON NILSON, WILDLIFE SERVICE RANGERS, returned from expeditions in late 1970s which found first signs of kakapo track and bowl. Positive evidence earlier on Stewart Island.

06.45 Self heard that someone had seen A CARCASS OF A KAKAPO earlier on Stewart Island, but was not believed.

07.45 MARGARET SHEPHERD was a United States scientist, who became involved with kakapo. Did not get along with HUGH BEST or BRIAN LLOYD. Very passionate about kakapo – spiritual experience. incident described when kakapo heard booming, saw bird moving at lightning speed , confirmed by transmitter.

10.50 DON MERTON concerned that self had worked as a volunteer for too long, and should return to civilization. Was flown to TE ANAU and taken to Milford Sound and went into the POSEIDON with HUGH WILLOUGHBY, so no break really.

12.00 Self compared himself to GIDEON CLYMO, who also worked with kakapo and spent a lot of time on Maud Island. Describes

12.20 Self monitored kakapo SUZANNE with chick HOKE on CODFISH ISLAND. Also kakapo MARGARET MARIE and her young bird. Describes. MAGGIE ATKINSON assisted on Codfish Island, and discovered Margaret Marie’s eggs.

End of Track Three

TRACK FOUR

00.00 Mentions various people self worked for who became friends for life, , including ANDY COX, ANDY ROBERTS NORRIS, RON NILSON, ROD RUSS. Andy Cox interested in reports of KOKAKO on STEWART ISLAND and very supportive.

00.30 Self first thought that SOUTH ISLAND KOKAKO might not be extinct was when tramping in FIORDLAND in 1977. Was volunteering filling in grid squares for ORTHINOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Heard an incredible call near LAKE MONOWAI. There had been EARLIER REPORTS in the 1950s.

01.40 Shortly after, started work on Stewart Island. Boss MAX KERSHAW claimed he had found a population of kokako. Describes

02.00 PHIL DZORAZAK(?) a teacher at James Hargest High School took self into Fiordland when self was at school. Max gave Phil a job on Stewart Island, despite Phil’s ill health after a stroke, and self supported him. Went on a trip together to search for kokako in the RUGGETY RANGES. Describes This started self’s enthusiasm. LESLEY HORRELL, a nurse on the island, assisted at one stage. Max Kershaw very coy about location of his sighting.

05.20 First trip to area near MOUNT ANGLEM was amazing habitat which self thought would be ideal, but no kokako. On the way out, heard an unmistakable kokako call. Describes

TRACK FIVE

7 June 2017

01.30 Self wanted to test reports from MAX KERSHAW, a forester, of a colony of KOKAKO on STEWART ISLAND.. First trip 1979-80 to test credibility of report. In remote parts of the island, self thought he heard a KOKAKO CALL – northern part of the island. Describes

03.20 Near LITTLE HELLFIRE, freshwater river, also heard calls which sounded like kokako. Then at RAKIAHUA, heard ‘cathedral bell’ call at dusk. Spoke with DON MERTON, who confirmed it would be a kokako. Then formed team together, supported by ANDY COX and the team at INVERCARGILL DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION, who arranged a helicopter.

5.00 BILL BLACK, helicopter pilot who flew in people who were caring for kakapo, dropped self off on remote parts of the island. Two trips taken to LITTLE MOUNT ANGLEM, and self swore kokako calls heard, similar to sound of NORTH ISLAND KAKAKO, although thought initially it might be tui. Failed to get any sighting.

06.30 Self packed up camp and walked for three hours to another valley through difficult territory. Helicopter pilot flying in supplies was concerned he would get lost. Pitched tent, and with torch and binoculars examined the territory. Heard what self thought was a tui call, calling in a different dialect – then spotted a grey bird. Followed bird to next tree – call was a mix of tui and bellbird, but unlike North Island kokako so self thought he was mistaken. When bird flew above head, self knew it was a KOKAKO.

11.30 Describes bird calls. Last VIEW OF THE BIRD was in more open canopy seen with head pointed to the sky, but obscured by raindrops. In 1984, this started serious search for kokako populations on Stewart Island.

12.40 Self then moved to investigate the WHAKATIPU STATE FOREST in CAPILS VALLEY near GLENORCHY, 1982 – 84.

12.50 In November 1984 CAREY ADAMS accompanied self by helicopter into the area on STEWART ISLAND in attempt to find kokako near MOUNT ANGLEM. Immediately heard birds, and decided to use grid transects, playing back juvenile calls of North Island kokako. On the first transect found a MOSS GRUBBING SITE similar to that seen in Capils Valley. Describes

End of Track Five

TRACK SIX

00.00 Continues to describe MOSS GRUBBING SITE. Weather forecast delayed more investigation at that time. Found that bird call occurred more at dusk, so went back and used recording of another call, as well as a model bird.

02.00 Some mistakes made, which prevented a photograph at that time. Carey climbed a tree, self played back recording if kokako, and immediately heard lots of calls. Demonstrates calls and describes calls

04.00 Describes kokako investigations in North Island, especially in PORIORA(?) FOREST with DAVID KING, kokako specialist.

04.30 After self recorded kokako calls, WILDLIFE SERVICE flew in JOHNNY KEMBRICK, recording and camera specialist. BILL BLACK dropped him in to a river bed, went to base tent and self played him recordings. Self had named a particular kokako ‘Titus Groan’ after character in Mervin Peake book. Describes

07.00 As calls were being played, heard an answering call right above the tent they were in. Great excitement, Johnny taking his camera and equipment but no sighting. Johnny spent two weeks on site, but still no sightings. However, FEATHER AND BILL IMPRESSION on an orange rind was sent away and these ended up at Te Papa. Describes

10.00 Three people - self, JOHNNY KEMBRICK and CAREY ADAMS left Stewart Island, but self returned and found more evidence in RAKIAHUA VALLEY, now named KOKHA BASIN. Describes more kokako calls. Heard more calls there at moss grubbing sites. Then self organised a major search in that area in 1985.

12.00 Describes MOSS SPECIES seen at sites.

13.10 DAVE CRUTCHLEY involved in RAKIAHUA VALLEY work, along with RON NIELSON and MURRAY BLAKE and other forestry staff involved in setting up the base camp. Self had been working with North Island kokako, but left to work with southern kokako. Heard wing flapping at the site, and heard an amazing call.

End of Track Six

TRACK SEVEN

00.00 Plenty of TUI, then recorded heavy WINGBEATS. Did not record calls. Self radioed for a team who arrived two days later when weather had turned. FEATHER FOUND identified by JOHN DERBY as from the WATTLE BIRD FAMILY. Describes feather morphology. AUCKLAND MUSEUM concluded that it was a kokako feather. Feather was taken to the NETHERLANDS for expert analysis. Feather then lost, but may have been refound. Place where feather found was significant.

04.25 Another sighting of kokako by WAYNE HUTCHINSON, who saw a grey bird with the same flight behavior. Self observed a large grey bird being chased by other birds.

05.30 WILDLIFE SERVICE became very interested - but the Service became the DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION, which put an end to resources. 1990s – less people, and less interest. Mist netting was tried in the late 1980s, but probably at the wrong site. Describes.

09.15 Skepticism on Stewart Island but lots of good people - ANDY COX, DAVID CROUCH, RON NEILSON, GRAHAM ELLIOTT, JOHNNY KENDRICK. Graham Elliott became positive about kakapo presence when on a trip and heard a call. Describes

11.15 A couple of years later in the late 1980s – ANGUS MCINTOSH and LINDSAY CHATTERTON also involved – Lindsay reported a sighting later. Describes

13.20 A dozen MOSS SITES were tagged, so new activity could be noted. Mentions W M MARTIN in 1953 wrote paper about moss sites.

End of Track Seven

TRACK EIGHT

00.00 In 1986, went round the moss sites, and found recent MOSS GRUBBING which coincided with possible kokako sightings. TERRY ADAMS and self in 1984 identified a bird around the moss grubbing site, but later no fresh signs when returning to the site.

01.30 On 3 December 1986 RON NIELSON noted a fresh moss grubbing site, and heard a call. Tui learned the same call, which became confusing.

02.40 Last time self was at Stewart Island was in 1994 with JOHN HALL JONES, who financed the helicopter and food for the trip. Went down to follow a report from ROBIN ? of TE ANAU, and went to JACKSON RIVER to follow up his reports of kokako there. Moss grubbing signs there, and heard the kokako call.

04.30 Also went to that site with PETE ? with the help of LOU SANSON, but unsuccessful trip. Describes.

05.10 Self would like to return to various sites on Stewart Island – RAKIAHUI and freshwater area near MOUNT ANGLEM. Also an area near FRED’S CAMP at PATERSON INLET where self had heard a kokako call. Describes. Also hearsay of signs of kokako SOUTH OF PEGASUS.

06.50 Mid 1990s trip with JOHN HALL-JONES, but moss grubbing sites showed no activity. Flew in by DOC and very tough walk out in a cyclone. Describes

08.25 CAPILS VALLEY, self worked for FOREST SERVICE, asked by MIKE ? to lead a party to undertake a comprehensive BIRD SURVEY of the GREENSTONE and CAPIL VALLEYS. Weather atrocious. Self went up gully called FRASER CREEK, and found a moss grubbing site. 1982, before signs on Stewart Island, reports had been written up by K MCBRIDE who heard kokako in MAKARORA area, and seen kokako several times. Describes

11.30 Self put up a tent and returned to the site with DEAN ? and searched for kakapo evidence. Dean reported a call identical to North island kakapo call. This started an extensive search for kakapo. FOREST SERVICE very supportive, and paid self for three months. One sighting, but unable to get a photograph. Heard calls several times.

End of Track Eight

TRACK NINE

00.12 Further information about self becoming familiar with a ‘ghost’ bird. Describes.

00.00 Ornothologists ALISON DAVIES and MARK BELLINGHAM came in to FRASER STREAM, initially not believing that kokako were there, but then heard calls. Describes

03.20 JOHN KENDRICK, GRAHAM ELLIOT and PETER CHILD came in to the top end of CAPILS AND GREENSTONE VALLEY, searching for signs. 99% of time no signs, but then heard calls. Describes

04.40 Fresh signs heard and calls heard. JOHN KENDRICK and self got up very early, and at 5.15am bird calls heard, and these were recorded. Kokako very difficult to find.

06.45 1984 – 1986 on STEWART ISLAND witnessed the most signs of kokako presence.

07.30 Reports from other places, and self investigated reports at HOWARD VALLEY, LOUIE CREEK in NELSON LAKES NATIONAL PARK, after reports from TIMOTHY HERD. Moss grubbing signs in that area.

9.00 DON SULLIVAN took self into field between DUNN MOUNTAIN TRACK and JENKINS HILL in the MARSDEN VALLEY. At one site saw 19 sites of moss grubbing, most several years old, although some may have been fresh. Camera traps put up. Describes

11.15 Self currently checking in an area without predator control – lobbying to get this. Another area is within an area of predator control managed by GRAHAM ELLIOTT with restored bird life. Both sites in WESTLAND. Some health and safety issues, and need camera traps. Someone saw a kokako near REEFTON ten years ago, a report which was accepted by the ORNOTHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Describes

End of Track Nine