February 2010 Centeral Aucland, Royal Forest and Bird Protecton Society Newsletter

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FOREST AND BIRD CENTRAL AUCKLAND ISSUE NUMBER 95 FEBRUARY 2010

MEETINGS MARCH 2010 SEPTEMBER 2010

Meetings are held in the Parnell Community Centre, 545Parnell Road, (Jubilee Building) on Sunday afternoons in theHobson Room at 2.30 pm. Plenty of parking is behind theCentre. A donation of a gold coin to help defray hall costswould be appreciated.

MOTUTAPU & AND RANGITOTO ISLANDS Nanda McLarenSunday, 21 March 2010This year a pest control project has started for Motutapu andRangitoto Islands through the Motutapu Restoration Trust. Asa volunteer with the Trust, Nanda is very involved with work

In This IssueChairs Report p. 2

KCC Christmas party p.2

Update on Pollen and

Traherne Islands p.3

KCC Programme p.4

Activities Programme p. 5

Motutapu & kakariki p. 6

Big award for former

F&B winner p. 6

Green Schools Winner p. 7

New KCC website p. 7

on Motutapu Island. Come to hear what these volunteers are doing with Department ofConservation to restore Motutapus native life.

HOW TO CATCH A RIFLEMAN Simon Fordham;our Annual General MeetingSunday, 16 May 2010

Simon has been very involved with the translocation of 31 Riflemen, New Zealandssmallest bird, to Tiritiri Matangi Island. He is a brilliant wildlife photographer, and this isdefinitely a talk not to be missed.

BIRD RESCUE Sylvia DurrantSunday, 18 July 2010Sylvia Durrant is so well know through her work with bird rescue that she hardly needs anintroduction [see Te Karere October 2009, pg 7]. Please bring old towels, sheets, etc. todonate to the Bird Rescue Centre for Sylvia to use when she cares for the injured birds.

THE CASE FOR A KERMADEC SANCTUARY Karen BairdSunday, 19 September 2010Karen works in the Auckland office of Forest and Bird and is spearheading an exciting newcampaign in partnership with Pew Environment Trusts Global Legacy project and jointlywith WWF-NZ [World Wildlife Fund for nature] to create the largest protected marine areaon the planet. Come and hear of their successful endeavours during the year.

Please change to an electronic Te Karere! Emailing Te Kerere saves on costs and decreasesbad environmental effects from printing, saves paper and waste, and reduces our carbon footprint during thenewsletters hand-delivery. Thank you to the many of you who now receive Te Karere by email!! We wouldlike to keep increasing this as much as possible, so please update your email details at

http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/support/membership/changedetails.asp or email us with Email address inthe subject line at [email protected]. This includes both Forest and Bird and KCC members.


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Chairs ReportThe beginning of a new decade, and I wasgoing to kick off with the excitingly positivenews that the new KCC website which lastyear our branch funded, was up and runningthe week before Christmas. Circumstancesare such since I first thought about writingthis report that I feel I cant mention the newKCC website without first paying tribute to

the person responsible for getting the final push done. That person was Helen Bain, theManager of Communications in Forest andBird.

Some of you will already know Helen (38)was tragically killed in an accident the weekafter Christmas. As both an executivemember and a branch chair, I will missworking with this energetic and outspokenyoung woman. I must say I did enjoy having

another woman in those executive meetingswith me one willing to speak out aboutthings that concerned her, and one socommitted to Forest and Bird. What a

bonus!!

Our branch held a bit of a special place withHelen, because we agreed to pay the notinsignificant costs of getting a new websitecreated for KCC, when all previous offers hadfallen through. Until we came to the rescue,as it were, only a lack of money was holdingthe project back. We entrusted that moneywith her team, and we werent let down at all..

The very last thing Helen did for Forest andBird before her leaving work for Christmasholidays and then having the accident whichtook her life way, way too soon, was to have awee word with the website-builders in orderto get the KCC website publicly launched

before Christmas, as shed promised thesocietys Executive.

The new KCC website is an excellenteducational tool; so full of fun, games andinformation about conservation. As Helenherself did merely two days before heraccident, and on the day after Boxing Daywhen most people are still bemoaning havingeaten too much at Christmas, I recommendthat you take a look at it if you havent

already: www.kcc.org.nz or via the mainForest and Bird website.

In keeping with promoting activity bychildren in conservation, just beforeChristmas our branch awarded WaitokiSchool with our Green Schools Award fortheir work in creating a habitat to encouragethe native birds into their school area. The$1000 prize money is going towards buildinga potting-shed/hot-house and installing

permanent irrigation for their plantings. Moreinformation about their project is available onthe new KCC website. Please refer to it ifyou can; it is very inspirational.

Anne

Kiwi Conservation ClubChristmas Party

On the afternoon of 6 December, about

10 kids, their parents and KCC staff hadlots of fun at the annual KCC Christmasparty. At the Waitakere Forest and Birdhouse on Piha beach, they learned aboutpenguins and had a go at being one. Itwas great weather & everyone had fungoing down to the beach.

Everyones a penguin as they try on thepenguin costume

The costumes were a hit! Siobhan'schildren wore them at the beginning andthen most of the kids tried them on later.The blue T-shirts and colouring bookswere also well received - Siobhan'snephew is wearing one of the T-shirts inthe photo. Exchanging anonymous giftsand a sausage sizzle added toeveryones fun.


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Update onPollen and Traherne Islands

There has been a lot of Forest and Birdactivity on Pollen and Traherne Islands sincewe wrote about the area in the October issueof this newsletter. Along with members ofWaitakere branch, we made a boat-trip toPollen Island to look for and record its floraand fauna. To our delight, three pairs of fern

bird were sighted, as well as a couple ofspoonbills.

For the same reason, we also had two Forestand Bird walks out around Traherne Island, inNovember and December. On another walkin January we accompanied the New ZealandTransport Authority and the AucklandMotorway Alliance, the Regional Council,ACC and DoC. Although we did not sight anyfern birds, despite the islands prime habitatfor them, we did find a naturally rare plant,Mimulus repens, and confirmed tracks ofbanded rail.

Rare Mimulus repensthreatened bySH 16 extension on Traherne Island

The Mimulus plant is located right in the wayof the proposed motorway expansion. TheVegetation Management Plan for Trahernewhich NZTA et al have now officially adoptedrequires that the Mimulus be moved until theroadworks for SH 16 are done, and thenreplanted on Traherne. Hopefully it willsurvive the disruption.

The apparent absence of fern birds onTraherne is likely due to access by animalpests, like hedgehog, cats and rats. Theexistence of fern bird on Pollen, however,gives us reason to askNZTAabout thelikelihood of keeping Pollen Island as anisland as opposed to having the new widenedmotorway physically encroach onto it. We

want to avoid providing access for pests to goto Pollen from Traherne.

Banded rail tracks on Traherne Island

Keeping the channel of water open wouldalso maintain the mangroves around theislands. We are talking with NZTA right nowabout how to keep the water channelbetween the new motorway and the island.All consideration of boardwalks and better

access is in relation to Traherne only, alreadyconnected to the causeway by a cycleway.

Plans are for widening the causeway three tofive metres and widening the road. We areworking closely with NZTA/AMA especially onprotecting the birds and plants in the areaduring the planned road widening anduplifting. If anyone has especial interest inthis area, please contact us via our branchemail ([email protected]).

A real coalition of interested parties:Mike Wilcox, Auckland Botanical SocietyPresident; Wendy John, Friends of OakleyCreek; John Dwyer, Unitec student; DavidGrieg, NZTA & Manager of TraherneManagement project; Michael Coote,Waitakere Forest and Bird; Sandra Jack, exmanager Ark in the Park, now DoCCommunity Relations; and Alan Emmerson,Northshore F&B


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KCC NEWSLETTER MARCH 2010 TO JUNE 2010 YOUR VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS ARE SIOBHAN, MARIANNE AND MARGUERITE

Access our website on www.forestandbird.org.nz/centralauckland.To join our email tree to receive up-to-the-minute news on conservation topics, please emailSiobhan - [email protected] - with KCC email tree in the subject line.

PROGRAMME

SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2010 EXPLORE THE UNDERWATER WORLD

Meet at the Leigh Marine Reserve, under the big pohutukawa tree to the left of the staircase down to thebeach, at 11 a.m. We will explore the rocky shore on foot and with masks and snorkel (for confidentswimmers).

You will need warm clothes, sturdy shoes, flippers and/or sand shoes, togs, towel, mask and snorkel and/orswimming goggles, a hat, and sunscreen. And a picnic, drinks, and snacks. There will be a small charge per

person for snorkel hire and guiding.

Book with Siobhan by email: [email protected].

SUNDAY 25 APRIL2010 (ANZAC DAY) FU NG I FI EL D TR IP Fungi love autumn! Peter Buchanan (a fungi expert) will join us in a local bush area at 2.00pm to open oureyes to what is under our feet and explain why fungi are special. It is amazing what you will find once youknow what you are looking for.

Venue to be confirmed and time may be subject to change, so it is essential to book with Marianne:[email protected].

SUNDAY 23 MAY 2010 NZ LI ZARD S Join us for an exciting visit to the Creatures Unlimited Lab in Titirangi, where we will see lots of weta,native and exotic lizards and spiders! Brian Lawton (aka the lizard man) will answer our questions about tewhanau aitanga (creepy crawlies). Brian is also an animal wrangler for film and TV so you can ask himabout that, too! KCC members are free ($10 per non-member child).

Meet at Woodlands Park School car park, 202 Woodlands Park Road, Titirangi at 10am. Numbers are

limited so it is essential to book with Suzy: [email protected] .

SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2010 PLANTI NG ON MOTUTAPU IS LAND Motutapu is experiencing an exciting, large scale and long term transformation. The Motutapu RestorationTrust is working hard to restore the natural and cultural landscapes of this beautiful island - "breathing newlife into an ancient landform". There will be a sausage sizzle at the newly restored Reid Homestead in HomeBay (near the wharf) at the end of the day before catching the ferry back. This is a KCC event but open to allmembers of Forest and Bird in the Auckland area.

Please bring water and lunch, suitable footwear, warm clothing, a raincoat and gardening gloves (if possible).

Meet at the 360 ferry building at Pier 4, Quay St (to the left of the Fullers Wharves) at approx 8.45am tobuy tickets ($20). The ferry leaves at 9.15am and returns at 3.30pm.

Book with Marguerite: [email protected] .

Any problems? Any questions? Please phone Marguerite on 376 1149.


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PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES:MARCH JULY 2010

BUS TRIPS AND VISITS

FIELD TRIPS BY BUS: Unless otherwisestated, the bus will leave from the lowerAlbert Street bus stop at 9am. All trips pick up

at the Takapuna Rose Gardens. Tripsheading south also pick up at Harp of Erin,whilst those heading north also pick up atPoint Chevalier. Please advise where you willboard the bus when booking your trip. Youshould be suitably clad and shod for the areaand conditions expected.

BOOKINGS: please forward a chequepayable to FOREST & BIRD SOCIETY to thebooking officer immediately after booking.Refunds will not be given (except for sudden

illness or urgent reasons, at the discretion ofthe committee) unless cancellation is notifiedby the Wednesday prior to the trip.

SATURDAY 20 MARCH 2010ARK IN THE PARK

Here is your chance to visit this wonderfulpiece of Waitakere bush where North Islandrobins and stitchbirds have been released inrecent years. We hope to have a talk fromone of the volunteers and spend a relaxed daywalking some of the tracks.BOOK: with Lou on 376 4072COST: $20.00

Two of many beautiful sights in Ayrlies Garden

SATURDAY 17 APRIL 2010AYRLIES IN THE AUTUMN

A return trip to this amazing Whit fordGarden - see it in its autumn regalia.BeverlyMcConnell, the inspiration and perspiration

behind Ayrlies, says: The garden evolved outof a desire to create a larger informal countrygarden, reminiscent of the homestead gardens

of my Hawkes Bay childhood; a garden wherethe contours of the land dictatedthe shape; agarden where there was space for largertrees

grown in family groups; a seasonal gardenwhere the challenge is still to have some plantor vista at its best every week of the year; agarden where still ponds and cascades ofwater create a sense of tranquillity; a garden

filled with moments of drama and lots ofheady perfume.BOOK: with Isabel on 528 3986COST: $33.00 (includes garden entry fee)

SATURDAY 15 MAY 2010TIRITIRI MATANGI ISLAND - DAY TRIPBook your own passage with 360 Discoveryon 0800 360 347. For those of you travellingfrom Auckland tell 360 that you will betravelling on your Gold Card to Gulf Harbour

but need a ticket from Gulf Harbour to Tiri. -cost: $34.00 return. (A 360 rep. will bringyour ticket to the boat when you arrive atG.H.) Boat leaves Auckland at 9.00am andGulf Harbour at 9.45 am. We will guide youon your exploration of this conservation gem -so no need to book a guide but do bring somemoney to spend in the magical shop! Packedlunch, water (tea and coffee available on theisland), rain coat and sensible footwear

essential.BOOK: with Sally on 528 7506 and for moreinformation.

SATURDAY 19 JUNE 2010EXPLORING THE PUHOI AREA

Our trip includes lunch at the historic PuhoiPub (tempura batter fish, chips and salad,light dessert and tea and coffee).BOOK: with John on 528 7506COST: $36.00 - includes lunch

SATURDAY 17 JULY 2010KAIPARA COAST

SCULPTURE GARDENExplore this interestinggarden, browse in the

plant centre or sit and enjoy the bird song.Stroll along a gentle 1km sculpture andgarden trail, set in a tranquil and inspirationalrural oasis; it has over 50 selected sculptures

by leading New Zealand artists and islocatedat award winning Kaipara Coast Plant Centre.BOOK: with Lou on 376 4072COST: $ 28.00


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Kakariki need you!

The recent successful pest eradicationprogramme on Motutapu and Rangitotomeans that a massive 3,800 hectares hasbeen added to the pest-free islands of theHauraki Gulf. Credit goes to Department

of Conservation Auckland area managerBrett Butland and project managerRichard Griffiths for their work on thisextremely complex pest removalexercise.

Already over 450,000 native plants havebeen propagated, grounded andprotected from invasive weeds over thepast 15 years by thousands of volunteers.Over 70 hectares of native forest is

growing in the fertile ash from theRangitoto eruption. Now that the island isvirtually pestfree, an increasing nativebird population needs a blossoming andfruiting forest to feed them.

One of the new kakariki on Motutapu

For example, kakariki timed perfectly theirrecent arrival on Motutapu to have a stabat breeding; the family group of five plus acouple of friends should all be doing well.But they and other native birds willrequire a food source from native forest.

You can help prepare such a forest -volunteers of all ages are needed to plantthe trees of an ideal habitat for some ofour endangered and rare native species.KCC is joining the June 20, 2010 plantingday. We encourage all KCC and Forestand Bird members to enjoy a special dayout and contribute to this significantconservation project.

If you cant wait that long, volunteers arerequired all year round to work in the

nursery doing native seedlingpropagation as well controlling seriousweeds in the rapidly growing volunteerforest. There is a volunteer day everyfirst, third and fifth Sunday of the monthfrom January to December except onpublic holiday weekends.

To register [email protected] or phone 095245 072 or 09 522 0919.

For more information visitwww.motutapu.org.nz or come to theBranch Meeting on Sunday March 21st tohear more about this important project.

Success Story for Previous Forest and

Bird Award RecipientIn 2007 James Russell (above, with weka)won a MacDiarmid Young Scientists of theYear award towards which the centralAuckland branch contributes enough to havea Gold Sponsor status. Now Dr. Russell hasrecently earned a government FRST award.He will continue researching island invasionsby invasive rats, which garnered him the2007 award. He will use previously collectedecological and genetic data to understand

how rats invade islands and determinewhether a population can be established bythe arrival of a single pregnant female. DrRussell will use the resulting model to test areal rat invasion on an island. The spreadand density of the rat population on the islandwill be monitored over two years, allowing DrRussell to test the accuracy of his model. DrRussells work will be used to preventongoing rat reinvasions of islands in NewZealand and will also provide new informationabout the behaviour and subsequent rate of

spread of the first animals to colonise a newlocation.


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Green Schools WinnerWaitoki Primary

Aucklands Waitoki School is soon going to bea haven for birdlife and insect-life, now theyhave scooped this years Green SchoolsAward. Waitoki School prides itself onrecognising its students as individuals

who bring a range of experiences and talentsto the school. A virtues programme is inplace to encourage good social skillsincluding honesty, politeness and respect for

others and the environment. Currently, theschool is surrounded by farmland which isfilled with exotic animals such as horses,llamas, bison, alpacas, highland cattle andgiraffes.However, with the $1000 from theGreen Schools award, the schoolcan replantthe area with kahikatea, totara, puriri,cabbage and flax trees.

The money will be used to enable students togrow native seedlings themselves. They planto build both a shade-house and install a dripirrigation system. Of course, these seedlingswill later be planted in the school grounds. Ontop of this, the school will sprinkle the area withnesting boxes and bird-feeders filled with sugar

water, honey and seeds to attract tui, waxeyes,wood pigeon (kereru) and kokako.

The annual Green Schools award is open toprimary and intermediate schools in the centralAuckland region. For more information seehttp://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/branches/central-auckland/green-schools-award.

Its finally here the Kiwi Conservation Club website!

Born a week before Christmas last year, thisnew website came about because of centralAucklands exclusive funding to create it. It isimpressive with information, games, activities,movement, colours, etc. Teachers willwelcome it as an educational resource, and it

makes learning about New Zealand wildlifefun. Even adults can learn something from it.Do encourage children to access it they willfind it fun, informative, and hopefullyinspirational. It has its own internet access athttp://www.kcc.org.nz .


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Members of your committee

Anne Fenn - Chair, [email protected] Still - Secretary, 528-3986John Hally - Treasurer, 528-7506Marguerite Pearson - KCC, 376-1149Barbara Thomborson - newsletter editor,

[email protected]; 585-1370

Peter Riddick - Conservation, 524-2229Mark Winter [email protected]

Our Email: [email protected]

Auckland Regional Office: 302 0203; 302 3901

Useful Auckland City contacts

1. Public Transport Information (for bus, train, ferry andcarpooling), phone Maxx on 366-6400 or view theirwebsite at www.maxx.co.nz.

2. Pollution Hotline 24-hour, in Auckland area: 377-3107.

3. Information & Services - Auckland Regional Council,

view www.arc.govt.nz; ph. Enviroline on 0800 80 6040. The site has plant & animal pest fact sheets.

4. North Shore Bird Rescue Centre; contact SylviaDurrant on 478 8819.

Contact any of us if you want to contribute to what Forest & Bird does in the Central Auckland Branch.

Our website: www.forestandbird.org.nz, refer "What's On in Your Area" and then "Events"

TE KARERE is your newsletter - if you have any comments on its presentation or the typeof information included, please let us know. It is also a way your committee keeps youinformed about the local events and meetings and the local and regional issues withwhich your committee is involved. Any feedback you have is welcome and may be

directed to the postal address on this page, attention Anne Fenn, or by email to the Editorat [email protected].

Any opinions expressed in feature or guest articles contributed to Te Karereare those of the contributing authors, societies or other organizations and are

not the opinions or policies of Forest & Bird, nor are they necessarily endorsedby Forest & Bird.

Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand (Inc)Central Auckland BranchP.O.Box 1118, Shortland StreetAuckland 1140

KCC NewsletterEnclosed

Documents

February 2010 Centeral Aucland, Royal Forest and Bird Protecton Society Newsletter