News • Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Brown teal numbers increase in Fiordland

Seventy-four endangered brown teal/pateke were released into the Arthur Valley on the Milford Track on Thursday 21 February 2013 as a result of a new Great Walk conservation initiative between the Department of Conservation and Air New Zealand. The pateke release is part of the wider Air New Zealand Great Walks Biodiversity Project – a $1 million dollar conservation initiative that aims to restore bird life and habitats along DOC’s Great Walks, including the Milford Track. As well as funding the pateke release, the Air New Zealand Great Walks Biodiversity Project is supporting increased predator control along the Milford Track. The density of stoat traps along the track has been doubled over the past few months and possum and rat control is being established in part of the Clinton Valley as well.

Posted on: Sunday, 3 March 2013

Chilean Flame Creeper on way out at Bowmans Bush

With another annual working bee on Chilean flame creeper (Cfc) at QEII National Trust’s Bowmans Bush, Otatara, it was evident that the size of the problem is much reduced. Thanks go to the Otatara Landcare Group for organising the event. The working bee, ably lead by Randall Milne, Environment Southland’s weed expert, was well attended with over 16 people present proving the old addage of many hands make light work! In the early days the Cfc was so extensive that only some areas were attacked during the annual working bee. In this year’s effort all the Cfc present got the message that it was not wanted, being pulled to the ground and the vines broken off at ground level. The message to those landowners who have the pest in their area is persistent pulling does pay.

Posted on: Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Good news from Te Rere

Forest & Bird Southland’s long running restoration project at Te Rere is looking good for the yellow eyed penguin this season. A survey pre-Christmas showed the number of nesting birds the highest they’ve been since the fire in 1995. The fire event devastated the population, and with 25 nests and approximately 70 birds recorded this season, this is still only about half of what had been present before. So there are great hopes that this positive trend continues and numbers keep climbing. The other good news is that a recent grant from the Biodiversity Condition Fund will allow planting of another 10 ha, extending the protected area. This gully system, currently mostly pasture cover, will be planted out in flax, along with some forest species. Over time it is expected that forest regeneration will occur naturally with a good source of seeds and birds to spread them.

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Gore Refuse Site undergoes transformation.

A group of Gore residents have made great progress in restoring the old Gore Refuse Site at Thompson’s Park. Using the gum trees that have been planted over a decade ago to their advantage, they have established native species amongst the sheltered area. With excellent maintenance by a GDC staff member, the plantings are going very well and worth checking out. Annual plantings started 5 years ago and those first planted along the riverside are now over 3m high, a great improvement on the willows that were there previous.

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Waverly Cubs Learn about Natives

For over ten years now Invercargill South Lion Club member, Allan McPherson, along with John Tait, have worked on the restoration of Kew Bush. They have undertaken plant propagation for the project at the Southland Community Nursery, learning skills from Chris Rance. They have also worked with Environment Southland Biosecurity Officers on animal pest and weed control. Allan shared the knowledge he has gained with the Waverly Cubs in the winter, taking cuttings and sowing seeds of natives from Kew Bush. This was followed up by the Cubs undertaking a planting session in Kew Bush mid-November. He also talked to them about the possum and stoat trapping that he carries out in the bush. Great to see the knowledge being passed on and another group learn about native restoration.

Posted on: Tuesday, 11 December 2012

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