News • Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Robins back on Pomona Island

The hard work of the Pomona Island Trust volunteers eradicating predators off the Manapouri island over the last few years has come to fruition with the recent release of the South Island robin into the area. This achievement recognises the major effort of the trustees, along with the 160 plus people that they have encouraged to put in over 3,300 volunteer hours. This robin release is the beginning of the reintroduction of bird species now gone from the island, with the release of yellowhead, saddleback and then kiwi planned over the next few years, along with the ongoing pest control work. Check out the Pomona Island restoration under Projects.

Posted on: Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Pateke back in Fiordland after 15 Years

Pateke (Brown teal), one of the world’s rarest ducks, has just been reintroduced back into the Arthur River, having last been recorded in Fiordland 15 years ago. A survey by DoC several years ago showed that there were no naturally occurring populations remaining. The pateke captive breeding program is a joint DoC/Ducks Unlimited project and for the last few years the focus has been to release the ducks back into areas where animal pest control is going on for other species. Prior to this, the releases into the wild have all been in the North Island, so it is exciting to have them now back into the wild on the mainland! Thanks to Banrock Station Wines, who have been sponsoring the pateke releases for a number of years, twenty pateke were let go in a quiet back water of the Arthur River

Posted on: Monday, 23 March 2009

Improved Habitat on Mararoa River

At the Landcare Networking Day at The Key last Saturday, the gathering of groups heard about the influx of nesting black billed gulls and terns just below the bridge as a result of the willow clearance project that has been undertaken over the last couple of years. Fish habitat is expected to improve as the river reforms the natural meanders, after having been constricted into channels by the previous willow domination.

Posted on: Monday, 9 March 2009

Predators Beware on Bluff Hill

Since the launch of the Bluff Hill Environment Trust in early November, trapping for mustelids has been going strong on Bluff Hill. Interestingly they have caught about the same number of weasels as stoats, the latter generally being considered the most common mustelid around Southland. If you are not sure of the difference between the two, check out the group’s website at www.bluffenvirotrust.org, where you can also follow the trapping figure updates. Photos are also available at SERN’s Bluff Hill Project site (Check out the Project Directory)

Posted on: Wednesday, 10 December 2008

Kokako Back on the Mainland.

Well, almost! In early October a transfer of North Island kokako to predator free Secretary Island was undertaken by Department of Conservation. This project was assisted by the Fiordland Lobster Company. Congratulations to all involved. It is excellent that private business and the Department of Conservation can work together to bring about these wonderful conservation gains.

Posted on: Friday, 31 October 2008

Page 29 of 29