Determining the abundance of species is the cornerstone of Conservation Biology, however many species are difficult to survey due to their circadian rhythms and the remote and rugged nature of their habitats.  One such species is the Rakiura Tokoeka or Stewart Island Kiwi (Apteryx australis). My research is using the Rakiura Tokoeka as a model to answer questions about survey efficiency and habitat use by cryptic species. I combine state of the art technologies such as automated microphones and motion-sensor cameras, with conventional survey methods for kiwi like burrow inspections and search dogs. My project will answer long-standing questions about numbers of Rakiura Tokoeka and help optimise survey methods and analyses to advance the conservation of this and other Kiwi species. 

You can follow updates of my research and check out cool field footage and photos here.