News • Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Kakariki back on Bluff Hill/Motopohue

The ongoing pest control work by the Bluff Hill/Motopohue Environment Trust is resulting in much improved bird life on the hill. Five minute bird counts are one way to monitor bird life in an area. In 2008 the bird count monitoring on Bluff HIll registered 40 birds seen or heard calling over the 5 minute period, while by 2014 the number recorded was 235. Along with the increased numbers of birds, the recent establishment of a population of kakariki, our native parakeet, on the hill is very exciting. The group have also gained permission to release some South Island robin on the hill. A further exciting development and a well deserved reward for all the hours the volunteers put in to maintaining a safe environment for our native wildlife.

Posted on: Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Good Nature Traps wipe out Rats

Environment Southland (ES) has been undertaking animal pest control in the Lower Mataura covenants for a number of years now. They have used a variety of control techniques - DOC200s, Timms traps, leg hold traps. Over this last year they established a 100m x 50m grid of Goodnature self resetting traps in the 20ha Stirling Block. This proved to be most successful with monitoring showing a drop in rat numbers from 25% in May to 0% by August. The monitoring remained at that level in November as well, eliminating the pressure of rat predation on breeding birds. Meanwhile in another uncontrolled block to the south east about 1km distance away, the Smith Block, the rat monitoring showed an increasing population through the year, to a rate of 90% by November. Comparing the cost of control using the DOC200 traps versus the Goodnature traps, due to the lower maintenance required, ES felt that the latter were the more cost effective option.

Posted on: Thursday, 11 February 2016

KCC visit Sherwood Forest

The junior arm of Forest & Bird, the Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC) had a January field trip to visit Sherwood Forest at Tussock Creek. This rare flood plain forest, dominated by giant matais, was originally covenanted by Pat & Derek Turnbull, ensuring long term protection through a QEII Open Space Covenant. Purchased by the Sinclairs several years ago, they have continued the restoration work on the remnant, gaining an Environment Southland Environmental Enhancement Fund grant to undertake fencing renewal, along with animal and plant pest control. As well as that, they have continued the connection with schools, with Sacred Heart School having undertaken further restoration plantings in the spring.

Posted on: Thursday, 11 February 2016

Heddon Bush helped by Environment Southland Grant

The Heddon Bush School received a grant through Environment Southland’s Environmental Enhancement Fund to assist with the purchase of plants for their ongoing restoration project on ‘The Donut’. This small kahikatea remnant was originally fenced off by the landowner back in the 1980’s when approached by Forest & Bird to undertake protection of the area. Southland F&B provided fencing material and helped the farmer to put up the fence at that time. Then in the late 2000’s the Horner’s decided to protect the area in perpetuity with a QEII Open Space Covenant. It was at this time that the school became involved in the restoration project. Over the years they have undertaken annual plantings, with the blessing of the current landowners, the de Wolds. Heddon Bush School BOT Chairman, Ken Dykes, has been involved with the project from the start and has enjoyed watching the area improve year by year. Recently the area was visited on the annual SERN bus trip and we were told about the history of the area by the school pupils. We were very impressed by their knowledge and enthusiasm for this restoration project. Keep up the good work, Heddon Bush School!

On the recent SERN field day Heddon Bush School pupils told about the history of the special native forest area 'The Donut', which the school has adopted and is restoring with underplanting and pest control. November 2015

Posted on: Tuesday, 17 November 2015

New Bush Walk at Omaui in the Making

‘The new walking track up Omaui Hill is being formed. After several years of planning and fundraising the Omaui Tracks Trust has obtained the services of Joan and Phil Fluerty who have been working on tracks for the Department of Conservation for 15 years. Their digger makes a path 90cm wide and they try to replant any ferns dug out from the path of the track so damage is kept to a minimum. The track will be gravelled with volunteer help and it should be available by Christmas. Total length about two kilometres or about an hour’s reasonable hiking. The gradient is gentle. The track goes to the top of the hill then down on the southern side where there is a view of Foveaux Strait and Bluff Harbour, the Three Sisters, Barracouta Point and the wind farm at Flat Hill. The track will be an asset to Omaui. Come along and try it over the summer.’ Report from Lloyd Esler, Omaui Tracks Trust member.

Posted on: Monday, 19 October 2015

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