When I told people that I was coming out here to work on Black Robins, most of them, including the lady that I brought some underwear from at Farmers in Dunedin, said “Oh I know all about Old Blue.” Old Blue was the most famous Black Robin and all the Black Robins who are alive today are related to her.
Plaque to commerate Old Blue:
She was relocated along with 6 other robins from Little Mangere to Mangere Island in September 1976 in a project spearheaded by Don Merton. The Black Robins were seriously endangered on Little Mangere and needed a safe haven in which to breed. They were moved to Mangere Island and work started in fostering chicks to tomtits, both on Mangere and Rangatira. Old Blue herself was finally released on to Rangatira in November 1983, followed by a film crew, which is one of the reasons that she is so well known.
Bands on a black robin:
Old Blue got her name from the banding pattern on her legs; many of the Black Robins here on Rangatira are banded. This allows researchers to identify the birds individually and follow them and their families through the years. Old Blue was banded with a metal band on her right leg with B11384 on it and she had two plastic coloured bands on her left; a red one on the top and a blue one on the bottom. Somehow she lost the red one and after that was called Granny Blue or Old Blue.
Walking home yesterday evening down Summit Track, I was delighted to pass a small sign pointing out the spot where Old Blue had been released. For a moment I felt like I do when passing a house in which someone famous once lived; that I was in the presence of history, in this case conservation history. Then my stomach rumbled so I hurried on in search of supper.
Tag showing where Old Blue was released onto Rangatira Island:
PS Brigitta found her first nest! Annika and I, who have yet to find any, are terribly jealous and will be hunting madly tomorrow.
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