COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER – Mahi tahi!!

Rangers’ Report – November 2020

Operational Summary... Greetings friends! Well, it sure is warming up out there, the reserve is in good shape with recent rainfall events coming through every week or two, lets hope it continues in that pattern for the rest of the summer. The teams have been hard at their mahi again throughout

November with new volunteers lining up and joining the ranks and thankfully it has not been too hot yet. Uptake of the rodent

toxin is extremely low, but we have had a few possums caught mainly on the boundary again. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) I do need to report that we have caught five stoats recently (3 in late November and 2 in early December), this comes after many locals have reported seeing stoats in multiple numbers crossing Ocean Beach Road heading south bound toward Bream Head. We are trapping as hard as we can, adding more traps where stoats have been sighted and have a stoat dog booked for January to locate any unknown wily stoats. This is all a bit disheartening after our stoat removal operation in September but is a common problem that most mainland restoration groups face, especially those at the dead end of

peninsulas and without a predator proof fence. I know of several fully fenced sites that have had rat and stoat incursions this breeding season too, so it is a common problem the nation faces that we must battle to overcome. What we do know is that our full ecosystem restoration approach, where we target all introduced mammalian predators, is effectively protecting those highly threatened invertebrates, lizards, forest habitat seed sources and a high proportion of the birds. We know this because of our continuous monitoring and surveys of predators such as rodents and possums, and from monitoring of our special threatened species such as the Bream Head skink, Placostylus hongi (Pupuharakeke/Flax Snail), quarterly five

minute bird counts and biennial lizard surveys to name a few. The residual tracking index (RTI) for rodents remains extremely low throughout the reserve and possum catch rates are very low too. This means that our habitat and food source for the larger

bird species (invertebrates, lizards, seeds and nectar etc) are in particularly good condition without rats and possums destroying them. The aspiration therefore is to further reduce

the stoat reinvasion threat so our more sensitive bird species can breed at even greater rates going forward. We are determined and we will persevere, looking to exciting new technologies and techniques coming out of the research teams throughout New Zealand to overcome this issue. Other awesome activities and tasks that the Trust has

achieved this month include the wonderful operational facility opening evening, Whangarei Boys High School inaugural environmental education visit, install of the trap node gateway repeater, Whangarei area primary and high school’s teacher presentation evening, nursery seed germination days,

shorebird nesting at Smugglers Beach, envirogroup visits with Whangarei Heads School children, track clearing, amazing

pest plant control and so much more…read on and enjoy! Kia pai to ra, Adam Willetts, Project manager, Bream Head/Te Whara Conservation Trust.

A pair of dotterels on Smugglers Beach protecting three new chicks

Monthly predator control results: November 2020 Pest Total #

caught this month

# caught this month previous year.

# of total rats caught Norway or Ship rats?

Total # caught inside res. this month (i.e. not on boundary/buffer).

Total # caught inside res. this month previous yr (i.e. not on boundary/buffer).

# caught 2020 YTD

# caught 2019 YTD.

Rat 1 10 1 Ship 1 of 1 5 of 10 49 126

Possum 2 4 - 1 of 2 3 of 4 20 33

Stoat 3 1 - 3 of 3 0 of 1 8 6

Weasel 0 1 - 0 0 of 1 18 26

Ferret 0 0 - 0 0 0 0

Feral cat 0 0 - 0 0 0 0

Mouse 9 12 - 5 of 9 3 of 12 78 172

Hedgehog 0 0 - 0 0 11 12

Totals 15 28 - 10 of 15 11 of 28 184 375

Analysis:

- Total # of predators caught in November 2020 almost half that of November 2019

- Low rats and possums catch rat in November 2020 - Only 10% of the rats and only 50% of the # of possums

caught compared with November 2019

- Stoat catches higher than November 2019.

- A higher percentage of predators caught inside the reserve for November 2019 and 2020.

BHCT nursery ticking along…Volunteers and rangers have been working within the plant nursery on the Newbold property at Ocean Beach in the

attempt to propagate a good number of seedlings for the winter planting in 2021.

Several teams have visited the nursery putting in more hours to source Manuka seed,

clear trays of old weeds, commission planting trays with soil and top the planting trays

with new seed. There are a few trays with good sized plants growing well and these

will be put out in the sunlight soon to ‘harden’ to the conditions ahead of planting in

winter. A whole bunch of seed has been sown into new trays over recent weeks and it

is hoped these will have enough time to germinate and grow into good sized seedlings

by the time planting days arrive next year. Thanks to the teams that continue to get

stuck in with this project!

Dedicated boundary

landowners…I just wanted to mention and show you the incredible hard work that our awesome boundary owner Alphonse Van Polanen

Petel has put into clearing along the boundary track behind his property. Alphonse is no

spring chicken, and he has cleared a lot of the gorse and pampas weeds along the boundary

by hand, on steep terrain. Just look at the photo to the left, what an amazing job he has

done. I have discussed with Alphonse about keeping alive the manuka and other native

trees not right on the fence line, so that they will arbour up and over the fence one day,

reducing the light for weeds to reinvade, which will reduce the ongoing maintenance and

make it cooler for us to walk along here too. This will also increase the native habitat in time

too. This mahi that Alphonse has done means that the boundary fence is left free from trees

that could damage the fence structure as they grow up through it. Colin Cook, another

boundary landowner is also following this practice to good effect and we are grateful to

them both, good on you chaps!!

Grand opening of the BHCT operational facility…Well what a night, the crowds came, and so much fun and positive energy flowed throughout the official opening of the Trust’s operational, educational and research

facility. Approximately 80 people turned out on a weeknight in cool but dry conditions to enjoy the festivities which

included Maori waiata and karakia, speeches, Whangarei Heads School kapa haka group performances, beautiful live guitar

music from local teenager Seabren Struijcken, song, drinks and food. A focus of the event was to thank the many sponsors

and supporting businesses who helped with the provision of goods and services to construct the facility. Certificates were

handed out by the BHCT chair Greg Innes and a list of these groups can be seen on the sponsors board now erected on the

wall of the facility. A particular mention was made to the property owner Alphonse Van Polanen Petel and his family for

allowing the Trust to utilise the beautiful property the facility now resides. It is so nice finally to have a facility to operate

from that reflects the passion and dedicated approach of the Trust and its wonderful volunteers, rangers and supporters.

Alphonse addresses the crowd

Louisa Gritt (DOC Whangarei Operations Manager)

The Whangarei Heads School kapa haka group

Gateway for trap data installed… The gateway device which will receive and transmit data from our

traps fitted with low frequency radio way nodes has been installed

on Geoff Pike and Sally Prince’s property on Taurikura ridge. Matt

Way from Econode and Arrian Prince-Pike (Geoff and Sally’s son)

were able to combine their vast technical talents to come up with a

neat system to transmit the data from the nodes up to the gateway

then back to our operational facility, the later part utlising long

range wifi technology. Okay Adam, fancy words but what does this

all mean? Well, when one of our traps fitted with the electronic

nodes is sprung a message will be sent to selected email/cellphones

to inform the rangers that a trap has been activated. The rangers

can then respond to that trap as soon as they can and remove any

pest and reset the trap. These traps are also to be fitted with a long

life lure that is injected periodically into the trap via an internal

electric motor to keep it fresh (Motolure). The benefits of this

include time saved by not having to check all the traps on a line if

they have not sprung meaning rangers/volunteers instead working

as responders, as well as the ability to check and reset traps quickly after they have caught a pest – meaning more trap

catch night availability. Because we currently have so few catches comparative to the number of traps located within the

reserve, the efficiency gains of this system should (in theory) be great and allow a shift in hours to other new activities.

This is all part of a trial project by the Trust looking at improvements in predator control and efficiencies surrounding this

mahi. The traps selected are along Ocean Beach Road and the reserve boundary, as well as the traps at our grey faced

petrel monitoring site. These traps are in easy access meaning we can get to them quickly and easily for any initial trouble

shooting. You may be able to tell that I get pretty darn excited about this technology stuff, anything to increase our effect

for less input – then groups can scale up their effective areas for conservation and restoration in New Zealand.

Education… The education committee (chaired by Lil Ruffell), with

support from Shirley Peterson (Kiwi North), Jackie

Knight and Jane Norman (NRC Enviro Schools)

presented the Trust’s environmental education

opportunities to nine Whangarei teachers representing

both primary and secondary schools. The evening was a

chance for the Trust and our support network of

educators to showcase the programme we now offer at

Bream Head/Te Whara Scenic Reserve (BHSR). The

night was very well received and bookings for 2021

education programme at BHSR have begun to roll in. As I

truthfully say to all those involved with our

environmental education programme, there is no point

doing what we do on the reserve unless the next

generation understand the issues and see the

solutions, we must teach them how to make a

difference and include nature in their lives.

A huge thank you must go to Lil Ruffell and Claire

Pearson for organising the evening – the pizzas were

awesome!!

Matt Way from Econode installing the gateway pole and solar panel

with Arrian trying to hide in the background.

NRC Enviro-schools coordinator Jackie Knight presents to the teachers

May the FORT be with you… Report on the Bream Head- Te Whara F.O.R.T

(Forest Restoration Team). 4th working bee

November 2020.

Written by BHCT ranger Keith Townsend:

FoRT November working bee: FoRT had a successful working bee in November with a small group of FoRT veterans and one first timer on the reserve boundary above Capeys Lane. It was a hot mornings’ weeding with a well-deserved cuppa to finish. 340 mature and juvenile Cotoneaster plants were controlled as well as 2 Eleagnus, 12sq/m of wild ginger, and 0.5sq/m of climbing asparagus. This has been a continuation of the efforts along the reserve boundary from Urquharts Bay thus far. There is more work to do in this area, but FoRT will now shift its focus to moth plant as it comes into the flowering season. There is one more working bee happening this year in ‘Alphonse valley’ on Sunday 13th December, then the team will have a well-earned break over January before starting up again in February 2021.

FoRT November team (from left to right) Jenny Lawrence, Marc Lawrence, Robin Bigelow, Keith Townsend and Peter Coates (photo: Mike Urlich).

Weed of the Month (from the Whangarei Heads Weed Action website http://weedaction.org.nz/weed-of-the-month/)

The Weed of the month is sti l l Chinese Privet - Ligustrum sinense

What does it look like? Shrub or small tree growing to 5m high, with distinctive warty lumps on stems and densely hairy shoots. Evergreen in Northland, with oval, dull green leaves (25 -60 x 12-25 mm), and a hairy midrib on the underside. Leaves occasionally have wavy edges. Loose drooping clusters (up to 10cm long) of small, tubular and very fragrant white flowers with tiny mauve anthers appear October -December, fol lowed by round, green berries that mature to dull purplish -black.

Why is it a problem? Chinese privet produces many high-viabil i ty seeds in widely dispersed berries, and forms dense stands, displacing native shrubs and other understorey species. It tolerates dense shade (although only f lowers in moderate l ight), frost, damage, grazing, most soil types, high to moderately low temperatures, damp and drought conditions, salt and wind. It is short-l ived but continuously replaced.

Poisonous berries may possibly impact on native fauna, especially insects.

Leaves & fruit poisonous, perfume and pollen contributes to asthma and allergies.

How does it spread? Seed is spread by many bird species, as well as vegetation dumping and soil movement. Common seed sources are domestic and farm hedges, roadsides, wastelands, quarries, gull ies, and exotic plantations.

How much of it do we have on the Whangarei Heads Peninsula? Relatively l i tt le. It is far less common then the larger tree privet, with known hotspots on the Pataua South Rd and Beasley Rd, at the northern end of McLeod Bay, and in Litt le Munro Bay.

How do I control it?

• Pull or dig seedlings. Leave to rot on site or mulch (you can use a lawn mower).

• Cut stump application: Cut at ground level and immediately treat stump with (5g metsulfuron/1L water). Metsulfuron works best, however undiluted glyphosate can also be used, but extra care is required when working with undiluted herbicides. Cut stems can be left on site to rot down, or mulched.

• Fril l and fi l l : make a deep cut into the sapwood at regular intervals arou nd the base of the tree, taking care not to ring-bark the plant. Immediately saturate the cuts with (20g metsulfuron/1L water). Wait unti l the l iquid subsides/absorbs and then apply again.

• Dril l & fi l l : Dri l l (c.12mm dri l l bit) sloping holes into the sapwo od at 10cm intervals around the base of the trunk, & immediately f i l l each hole with (20g metsulfuron/1L water). Top up all holes after init ial f i l l has absorbed. Metsulfuron works best however undiluted glyphosate can also be used but extra care must be t aken when using undiluted herbicide.

• Spray, best in spring and autumn, (5g metsulfuron+10ml penetrant/10L water).

Follow up 6-monthly. Easiest to spot during spring flowering. Bared areas reseed profusely. Replant bared areas (after seedlings appear natura lly) to minimise seedling growth.

CAUTION: when using any herbicide or pesticide PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that al l instructions and safety requirements are fol lowed.

Click here for more information on the herbicides referenced in the control methods, or here for more information on the suggested techniques.

30x Pied shag/karuhiruhi (phalacrocorax varius varius) on the beach at Dead Horse Bay -

the most I have seen there at one time!

https://weedaction.org.nz/weed-herbicides-and-additives/https://weedaction.org.nz/pest-plant-control-methods/

Coming up in December: Tracking Tunnel rodent survey…our 150 tracking tunnels will be surveyed with the standard ink card technique in December as part of the annual RTI monitoring for rodent abundance.

Stunning calendars…You may have already seen our beautiful BHCT 2021calendars designed by local artist Terry Fitzgibbon. These are an excellent fund raiser for the Trust to continue its work. Please visit our website to make your order

https://breamheadtrust.nz/

GFP site visits and burrow checks… BHCT rangers will continue fortnightly visits to the GFP study sites to check on breeding/chick monitoring equipment and ensure the intensive predator trap/toxin network is in perfect condition.

Trap technology upgrade…BHCT will initiate the install of the remote sensing trap node and automated lure dispensers.

Regular donations create real value, real results! Kiaora my friends

By now you will already know that the Bream Head Conservation Trust gets real results, real successes through its amazing governance and on the ground volunteer teams. These guys give 5500 hours per annum to this project, all free of charge! The one full-time and two part-time rangers are the only people who get paid for all this mountain of work and their income is funded by large funding organisations which our volunteers work hard to bid for. The rest of the necessary funds to keep traps replaced, buy monitoring equipment, electronics, tools and other essential operational gear is funded through small grants and our donations. Therefore, a donation to BHCT is a direct, 100% fund to a very real piece of necessary equipment or conservation activity on the reserve. It does not get lost in unnecessary red tape, management or fund wages. To continue our mahi and increase our successes (like trying to control stoat reinvasions and save newly discovered nesting seabirds for example) we really need more Trust “friends” providing a regular donation, which makes it so much easier to budget in a smooth, confident way. If you or anyone you know can spare a $10 per month donation, the endemic species of Bream Head Scenic Reserve will thank you for it (and all of us from the team). It is also a great way to support a community group if you don't have the time or ability to get out on the hill.

Here is a link to the donation page on our website, please take a moment to visit it and/or share it with all your friends and relatives. This will be a regular donation that will make a very real and direct difference to your environment.

https://breamheadtrust.nz/…/donations-frie…/make-a-donation/

nga mihi mahana

Adam Willetts (Head Ranger/Project Manager) M: 021 155 7380 e: bhctrangers@gmail.com

https://breamheadtrust.nz/https://breamheadtrust.nz/get-involved/donations-friends/make-a-donation/?fbclid=IwAR2llRT6ae5kZlUiFEMkSya2vABijB9jyKI0r9TDgjajZPk_ECRyPNYplH8mailto:bhctrangers@gmail.com