News • Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Pomona Island Stoat and Rat Free for over 2 Years.

No stoats or rats have been caught on Pomona or Rona Islands now for over two years. This is largely thanks to the extensive trap network which is now set up on the mainland opposite both islands. Thanks to generous donations from the Gary Chisholm Family Trust of Christchurch the Trust now has 72 stoat/rat traps opposite Pomona and 44 opposite Rona. Viv Shaw, Pomona Island Trust member, reports “These are checked monthly and with the predicted beech mast a reality we are catching a fair few rats and mice each month”. Earlier this year 51 South Island robins were released on Pomona and 20 on Rona. The birds have been pairing up and Trust members are hopeful that they will start to see juvenile robins on the islands before Christmas.

Posted on: Friday, 23 October 2009

Wairaurahiri Jet Extend Predator Control Work

With assistance from Biodiversity Southland Co-ordinator, Janet Gregory of Landcare Trust, Joyce Kolk and Johan Groters of Wairaurahiri Jet have been able to extend their pest control work along the South Coast Track from the river to the Percy Burn Viaduct. An application put together by Janet to the Biodiversity Condition Fund round announced in May 2009 was successful and with the grant and other sponsorship they purchased 50 more traps. In the three months (June to August) these traps have been in place they have caught 15 stoats and 15 rats. With the original trap line down the Wairaurahiri River, in the past 6 months they have caught 13 stoats and 42 rats. Joyce comments that it is interesting to note that when they first started trapping down the river the stoats outnumbered the rats.

Posted on: Thursday, 24 September 2009

High Value Area (HVA) Surveys – A Work in Progress

In May and June this year, thirteen rapid ecological assessments of HVAs were conducted on nine private properties in the Waituna, Mataura and Longwoods districts. This assessment system has been developed by Environment Southland staff based on current best-practise ecological survey methods. The survey is undertaken by an independent contractor, who then compiles a report for each site, which provides factual and reliable information about the natural and ecological values present. They also present a range of management options for the natural areas to ensure they are there for future generations to enjoy. These reports are given to the landowner and have been very well received for those done to date. Funding to continue and expand the HVA programme for the next three years has been granted by the Biodiversity Advice Fund.

Posted on: Thursday, 24 September 2009

Sirocco, the Kakapo - The Not so Flightless Parrot

Sirocco, a hand reared kakapo from the early days of the breeding program, considers himself more aligned to humans than his own type. Because of this he has become quite a celebrity, appearing on numerous occasions as the face of the kakapo. Having just flown to Auckland in early September for a stint at the zoo, he is now back in home territory and about to entertain visitors to Stewart Island. If you would like to see Sirocco, in residence on the amazing Ulva Island between 26th September and the 26th October, then check out http://stewart-island-news.com/kakapo.html for more details.

Posted on: Thursday, 24 September 2009

Waituna Gravel Pit Reveals Great Diversity.

A disused gravel pit on the way to Waituna Lagoon is about to change it’s looks. From being a gorse infested area, which people were inclined to use as a rubbish dump, a combined effort by the Waituna Landcare Group and AWAG (Awarua/Waituna Advisory Group) will see this area transformed over the next few years. Already a visit by the Gorge Road School pupils helped to remove rubbish and weeds from the area and DoC staff have made a great start at getting the gorse under control. A botanical survey by DoC botanist, Brian Rance, revealed 50 native plant species had already recolonised the area. As well, during the tidy up the native common skink was found to be residing there. So watch this developing natural wetland as it gets a helping hand.

Posted on: Wednesday, 19 August 2009

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