We have got a day sorted for you to head off into the unknown. Please all come and join us for more weeding, exploration and food.
Date 19th August 1 pm . Bring tools, gumboots, overalls and afternoon tea.
Bring your friends .
Watch for us and like us on Facebook
Ann Irving <Enable JavaScript to view protected content.>
Come along for the family friendly BIG PLANTING DAY at Bushy Point, Otatara on Saturday 8 Sepember 2018 from 10am-noon with a BBQ to follow. Access to the planting area is from Bryson Road.
If you can’t make it along on the 8th, there is the monthly Bushy Point work days to help out with. Next one is on Sunday 26 August from 1-3 pm.
Contact Barry Smith 2131500 or email Enable JavaScript to view protected content. for more details.
What: 5 Minute Bird Count Course
Where: Southland Community Nursery
When: 16th and 17th October
Identify a range of common forest birds using the Department of Conservation 5 minute bird count protocol.
You will learn how to identify a range of common forest birds using the Department of Conservation five-minute protocol (5MBC). You will learn how to establish a consistency of data collection, recording and storage and to make the data available for analysis, reporting and subsequent business planning within the required timeframe. The 5MBC course is based on the Dawson and Bull field method. This course uses innovative techniques, such as an online programme and pre-recorded bird calls, to help you identify common forest bird species. This course covers unit standard 26373.
Register here
Pull out the note book, dust off the binoculars and make a flask of tea, it’s Garden Bird Survey time again.
The annual New Zealand Garden Bird Survey is about to get underway and we need your help. No matter how big or small your garden is, if you have lots of birds or no birds we want to hear from you. The more surveys that are compelted the more accurate the results will be so it is important for everyone to participate.
The annual survey is a great opportunity to get a snapshot picture of bird life in the region, which also helps feed into the bigger picture of biodiversity within Southland. The results from the last ten years are now available (here) and show a decline in some of our favorite native species including bellbirds.
It only takes one hour at any time during the week from 30 June until 8 July. There’s an easy form to capture the information and a bird identification poster online at www.landcareresearch.co.nz.
Kai Oranga Mataura invite you to an Matariki Open Day at the Mataura Marae.
1pm - 4pm 17th June 2018
The day will include information about the marae native nursery and restoration project as well as competitions and workshops. Click here for the event flyer and competition entry forms.
For more information contact Angela Mills Enable JavaScript to view protected content.
Despite the weather, a hardy group gathered at Kew Bush to celebrate the work of Allan McPherson and John Tait and their fellow Invercargill South Lions Club members over the last 15 years, helping to return the kahikatea forest to health. Over that time they have undertaken a war on holly and other weeds in the bush, propagated and planted natives back in to the open areas, carried out animal pest control and maintained the tracks so other people could enjoy the area. With Allan and John now stepping back from the work, and the South Invercargill Lions Club closing, Jesse Bythell, our local QEII rep, talked about setting up a Friends of Kew Bush to carry on the good work. She said she envisaged 3 or 4 working bees a year involving a range of acitivities like planting, weed and pest control and track maintenance. If this is something you feel you could help with, please contact Jesse, Enable JavaScript to view protected content. She will be setting up an email list to let people know when these events will be happening.
The second part of our afternoon was at Bowmans Bush, Otatara. Again in the rain we celebrated the Bowman family’s contribution through the protection of this sand dune forest remnant, with the unveiling of a sign organised by QEII National Trust. The legacy of appreciation for our native biota has shown out well and true in the grandson of Dr McDonald, who originally set this area aside. His descendent, Richard Bowman, the past Biosecurity Manager at Environment Southland, has been a wonderful supporter of the many groups involved in restoration projects around Southland. The support he had given SERN was recognised at the end of the day at the Rance’s Education Centre, where the SERN members presented Richard with a small gift.
Our plans for 2018 are to continue to open up the area and tidy up the work that we have been doing, to find the cabbage trees and to search and destroy the hawthorn trees.
We are able to supply cutting tools and gel for pasting on trees but if you would prefer to bring your own please do. Long gumboots leggings and overalls are a good idea sometimes . We like to stop for afternoon tea so if you have a new creation please bring it along and share.
We are happy for you to come and just enjoy the Wetland
If you would like to share transport from Invercargill or have questions please contact me Ann Irving 2176428 or 0276569319
Please tell all your friends , relations and grandchildren about this special place
Our wetland will certainly be very wet at the moment and it would be impossible to get across the Dipton Stream but by the time the field day comes along we hope it will be just a gentle stream to wade across or we will be able to use our temporary bridge.
The date for the next afternoon is the 29th April starting after lunch at 1 -1.30 It will be a good idea to bring long gumboots, parka and leggings if you have them and overalls and gloves are a good idea too. Don’t panic if you do not have these things as water never hurt any of us.
We would like to be able to weed eat the track to the ponds, find the cabbage trees , attack more hawthorns , and get into the flax area and take out some of the weeds such as gorse and broom .
We always like to bring some nice food for afternoon tea and drinks.
The Wetland is on the Dipton Mossburn road at 9km from the Dipton Castlerock road. Take the second turn on the left after crossing the Oreti river bridge. We will need to park on the road at this time of the year.
If you have questions about the day please ring Sandra at 0272707759 , Peter at 032485002 or Virginia at 032182547 .
We are looking forward to getting a good number of people to help so you are most welcome.
