October 2008 Horowhenua, Royal Forest and Bird Protecton Society Newsletter

8/8/2019 October 2008 Horowhenua, Royal Forest and Bird Protecton Society Newsletter

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October 2008 Newsletter

President: Robert Hirschberg Phone 06 364 3680 Secretary: Belinda McLean Phone 06 364 5573

NEWS FROM OUR REGION

Otaki News

At the end of September the Flood Protection Dept of the GWRC invited residents to the annualwalkover inspection of the Otaki River.A bus was available to visit the upper reaches of the river and Flood Protection staff explained theworks being carried out to maintain the course of the river. There was also a visit to the Chrystallsnative plantings carried out by Friends of the Otaki River(FOOR)and the extended stopbank.Another bridge has been placed at the far end of Chrystalls Lagoon so that it is now possible to

walk right around it.

The Waitohu Streamcare Group was recently presented with the NZ Plant Conservation Award2008 for their outstanding contribution to native plant conservation over the last 5 years. For many

years now this group has been involved in the restoration of the wetland adjacent to the WaitohuStream, riparian planting and restoring the foredunes at the North end of Otaki Beach. Thousandsof native plants have been propagated from local seed in the community nursery and these havebeen planted out in the appropriate area to create a more stable environment.

Foxton

Judith Hunt reports that their group have not started planting as yet as their ground is still toowet. They have sprayed and planting will commence in November. Future plantings will concentrateon trees to attract native birds especially Kowhai.ManawatuKatipo Spider Monitoring

The Katipos habitat is decreasing throughout NZ so DOC is investigating what population remainsalong our coast. Our branch is supporting DOCs monitoring of the Katipo Spider habitat by doingregular checks in the Manawatu Estuary dunes each month for one year.The traps have been set for one month already and on first inspection none were found, althoughthey were found North at Tangimoana. A Stetoda, a NZ native non poisonous spider was found in aweb. If anyone is interested in coming along on the next visit to the traps at the end of the month,

please ring Joan Leckie on 368 1277 and we will choose a good day for a short walk in the estuary.About 5 years ago the Horowhenua branch undertook a planting in the Parikawau reserve adjacentto the Ohau River overbridge.When we drove back from Levin recently we went into the reserve to have a look and found thatthe trees are really flourishing in this rocky ground. The planting has been a great success and

"No person who has not spent a period of his

life in those 'stark and sullen solitudes that

sentinel the Pole' will understand fully what

trees and flowers, sun-flecked turf and running

streams mean to the soul of a man."

- Ernest Shackleton


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Antarctica by Graeme KeallAt our monthly meeting Monday 18 August Graeme Keall described his trip in 2005 to theAntarctic aboard the Spirit of Enderby, this was a trip run by Heritage Expeditions. He illustratedhis description with many pictures he had taken, and we were fortunate that Alan McComb hadkindly come along with his projector making this possible. Graeme said that the trip first went pastCampbell Island, then to Cape Adare where there are at least derelict huts. There were of courselots of massive icebergs seen. The highlight of the trip for Graeme was arriving at Scotts Hutt and

actually being there, he said that the hut had a very special aura. Then there were of courseEmperor Penguins seen on the way home which went past the Enderby Islands. Graeme said thateven though it was quite an expensive trip, it was well worth while and he knew of some peoplewho had been on the trip twice.

Graeme Keall in front of Scotts Hutt Emperor Penguin Plants on Campbell Island

There are some conflicting records as to

whether our branch is 50 years old but it doesntmatter too muchit was a good chance for us allto get together and celebrate just being a veryspecial and unique branch of Forest & Bird.The committee had the hall set up and we had agreat selection of delicious soups on offer pluscrunchy bread and rolls. Joan made a hugespecial anniversary fruit cake iced anddecorated with the F&B Logo with theappropriate lettering. As expected there was agreat deal of convivial chatter and socialisationduring our meal time.

After the meal some of our long standingmembers spoke of their past experiences in thebranch. Ian Cooksley, a foundation member,spoke about some of the earliest outings andtrips, many of which are still a regular part ofour programme. There was a definite Otakiconnection back then, and with some members

living there it was decided to hold some meetingsin the district but this was found to be tooconfusing. A regular venue was settled on buthere again this venue has changed many timesover the years.

Mae Carson (a former chairperson) and Heather

Watson teamed up to tell us about the tripsaway they went on and the somewhat hilarioushappenings where it appears that people reallylet their hair down!

Wally Hanson was a chairperson for many yearsand he still in his 90s is a regular at our branchmeetings. Remember the report on our trip toMana Island a few years ago. Members alsorecalled Wally being a great support person on

tripsalways there to lend a hand and assistpeople.

Jean Maunder, our most senior member, spokeof the time when her husband was the chair andher memories of trips away to the lodge atRuapehu.

Finally Judith Hunt spoke of a trip they did whenthings did go somewhat wrong but people rallied

around to help out.

A very special night for all that managed toattend.

Margarette

Fiftieth Celebrations 21st July


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Black shag

Photographer Paul Gibson took this photo atManawatu Estuary recently. The shag caughtthe eel and then had to grapple with it takingabout 15 minutes to finally get it swallowed!

We would like suggestions for a caption !

Prize - A5 copy of the Photo

CURRIED KUMARA SOUP

At our 50th Anniversary celebrations in July we served6 delicious soups. One of these was very popular andthe recipe was requested-- so here it is for you to try.I quadrupled the recipe for the branch night.

For 4-6 servings75gms butter2 cloves garlic (home grown of course)

1 tspn curry powder500gms kumara (I used the red variety)1.5 cups water2 tspns instant chicken stockAbout 2 cups of milkadd the crushed garlic and curry powder to the meltedbutter in a large saucepan.Peel kumara and cut into 1cm portions. Cook in the but-ter without browning for 1-2 minutes then add water.Cover and cook for 10 minutes until tender. Stir in the

chicken stock, then puree, thinning with milk.Add cream if you wish and sprinkle with parsley beforeserving.

CALENDAR SALES

These are now available so please get your orders in. The cost is $14 and as usual they come with anenvelope and in a weight suitable for overseas posting.They are of the usual high standard and of special interest this year is a photo of our native falcon in

full flighta very special shot.Diaries are also available for $23. Our branch does get some but we would appreciate orders so that

we dont get left with surplus.Grace Hunt is managing the sales as usual and she will have them available at BranchMeetings or you can ring her on (06) 367 3811

Robert and Ian cut the cake

The lovely cake made by JoanLeckie

Adrienne Ward and Jean Maunderat the 50th celebration


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Return AddressHorowhenua Forest & BirdC/- L. Berger5 Gordon PlaceLEVIN

DID YOU KNOW?

Common Copper ButterflyLycaena salustius

Of the 24 species of butterflies found in NZ

11 are endemic (found only in NZ) and this isone of them. This tiny butterfly is most often

found near the coast and they lay their eggs

on the underside of the muelhenbeckia

creeper which then becomes the main food

source for the larvae. Adult butterflies have

a short jerky flight pattern and can be readily

seen flying about on hot sunny days.

News Snippets

Our treasurer, Naomi Dement, applied for a grant from the Community Trust in order to meet theadditional costs of using colour in our newsletters and printing extra ones to put in our local librariesand other community venues. We were awarded $1000 and would like to congratulate Naomi forobtaining this. Youre definitely a star!

We also need to apply for a grant to purchase some high quality projection equipment to use when wehave speakers at our meetings that require it. If you have any expertise in this direction please let anyof the committee know.

The overnight trip to Somes Island had to be postponed but will go ahead sometime early in the NewYear when a booking becomes available. The members already booked will have priority.Your committee is working on a new programme so if you have any ideas for trips or speakers pleaseget in touch with anyone on the committee.

We would like to thank the Eastern &Central Community Trust for theirgrant which is enabling us to produceour

Documents

October 2008 Horowhenua, Royal Forest and Bird Protecton Society Newsletter