News • Southland Ecological Restoration Network

More Kereru for Otatara

Thanks to an approach by May and Russell Evans to the Otatara Landcare Group (OLG), kereru should now be less at risk of being hit by vehicles around the streets of Otatara. The Evans run Bush Haven, a place where injured birds can be taken to. They are all too aware that being hit by a car is a real risk for the native birds living in the bush in this special area west of Invercargill. An approach was made by the OLG to the Invercargill City Council to look at the idea of erecting ‘Caution Kereru’ signs to encourage people to slow up and watch out for low flying birds on streets kereru frequent. The Regulatory Services Committee supported the proposal, with the roading department overseeing the sign construction and erection. A wonderful example of community working with council for positive outcomes.

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 November 2010

Hokonui Tramping Club Hits Pests on the Head.

Peter Thompson reports: “The trapping programme at East Peak has gone extremely well since starting in November, with a small group of dedicated helpers checking and rebaiting the 50 DOC 200 traps every weekend. Fresh rabbit & hare bait has been used throughout the summer but now have changed to salted bait which will be checked fortnightly throughout the winter until spring. Our catch totals as of the end of May are: Stoats 49, Ferrets 15, Weasels 8, Hedgehogs 20, Rats 36, Mice 15 (The latter were caught with mouse traps in the tunnels after the mice kept eating the bait.) There is a growing interest in the programme & we are presently working on a display for the club photo box in the Main Street, Gore.”

Posted on: Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Another helping hand for Pateke in Fiorldland

One of Fiordland Conservation Trust’s latest projects is the Pateke/Brown Teal transfer which is happening in the Arthur Valley, Milford Track. The pateke is endemic and is New Zealand’s most endangered species of waterfowl. In March 2009, twenty young pateke were released into the Arthur Valley in Fiordland. This was the first large release of pateke in the South Island and has been one of the most successful releases of pateke anywhere in the country. The Fiordland Conservation Trust, in partnership with Ultimate Hikes, has just released a further forty pateke in to the Arthur Valley, and hope to do another forty in 2011. The plan is to build a self sustaining population by 2014. For more information on this project, please look at FCT’s website www.fiordlandconservationtrust.org.nz.

Posted on: Sunday, 11 April 2010

Successful Kakapo AI a World First.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) kakapo recovery team has carried out a world first – the successful artificial insemination (AI) of a wild bird population. Paternity tests confirmed artificial insemination, assisted by international bird reproduction expert Dr Juan Blanco, produced two chicks from two different females this breeding season. “This is a major break through for the recovery programme,” said kakapo recovery manager Deidre Vercoe. Go to www.kakaporecovery.org.nz for more information about this exciting development in the kakapo recovery programme.

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 January 2010

Exciting Projects for Fiordland Conservation Trust

The first Fiordland Conservation Trust annual report shows how community conservation involvement in Fiordland National Park is booming. Rachel Cockburn, FCT’s Manager writes, “The 2009/10 year looks set to be incredibly busy.” Projects include the Sinbad Sanctuary, supported by Southern Discoveries through a $35,000 p/a donation and Indian Island pest eradication, to name a few. She reports, “A key focus for the coming year is the Kepler Peninsular “Backyard Birdsong” project which is still in its planning stages. The project will be run in conjunction with the long term and very effective trapping project currently carried out by the Kepler Challenge Committee.” For more information on the Trusts activities visit www.fiordlandconservationtrust.org.nz

Posted on: Friday, 13 November 2009

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