Latest News

Makarora-Haast trapping line

2009-02-27T11:34:00.001+13:00

Checked the Makarora-Haast trapping line yesterday Thursday 26th March and caught 3 stoats, 1 hedgehog; and rebaited all the traps.
As I still have a lot of records of stoat and ferret sightings running around and because it is still the juvenile season, we will keep checking the traps every 3 weeks in order to catch a maximum of predators.
The next time F&B have to check trapping lines along the tracks is next week, the first week of March.

Predator Control programe wanaka 2007/08 Report

2009-02-23T22:25:00.001+13:00

Predator%20Control%20Programme%20Wanaka%20200708%20Report%20pdf.pdf

Omarama Weekend, Upper Clutha Forest and Bird and Lindis Pass Conservation Group

2009-02-22T19:42:00.003+13:00

Trip to Clay Cliffs and Tarnbrae, Saturday March 7th
followed by working day at the Lindis Pass Sunday 8 March

In the morning we will spend 1.5-2hrs at the Clay Cliffs, an amazing semi-arid ‘badland’ of deep ravines and pinnacles eroded into ancient river gravels and lake silts situated on the active Ostler Fault line. These are the cliffs you can see from SH8 south of Omarama. It is private land with a QEII Open Space Covenant.
We will have lunch at Quailburn woolshed then in the afternoon visit the new 2044ha Tarnbrae conservation area, one of the largest wetland complexes protected in recent years located amongst moraine terrain south of Lake Ohau.
Stay the night at Omarama with an evening presentation on the work of the Lindis Pass Conservation Group and beautiful slides of the flora and fauna of the reserve up close and personal!
Sunday is a scheduled work day at the Lindis Pass Scenic Reserve removing sweet brier to which all are warmly encouraged to participate!

Programme:

Saturday 7 March

9:30-10am : Assemble at the Ahuriri River DOC camping area (2.25km north of Omarama);
10am: deaprt for the Clay Cliffs via Quailburn then Henburn Rd and the track to Clay Cliffs (2WD negotiable, $5 access fee per person).
12.00pm: Depart for Quailburn/Tarnbrae via the Quailburn Rd,
12:30-1:30pm lunch at Quailburn woolshed (just past the Tarnbrae area).
1:30pm Meet at the Tarnbrae entrance where a DOC officer will outline the values and significance of this new conservation area

Return to Omarama in own time. Perhaps set some time aside for fishing and a good meal at the Clay Cliffs Winery and restaurant.

7:30pm Evening presentation on the Lindis Pass Scenic Reserve (venue to be advised).

Overnight in Omarama. Organise your own accommodation (try the Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park, book on line)

Sunday 8 March

10am Meet at the north end of the Lindis Pass Reserve (by Pylon Track and DOC sign on Canty side)
Work as long as you wish to about 3pm removing sweet brier. Equipment and herbicide provided.

You will need to bring the usual high country weather gear, walking stick and stout footwear, food for all meals, plenty to drink, camera.

Trip Leader: Anne Steven
Contacts: 03 443 6766
021 2939 207
a.steven@xtra.co.nz

Predator trapping Haast Pass

2009-02-15T20:49:00.002+13:00

The forest and bird trap lines up on the tracks either side of Haast pass road were checked on the 13/2 and no stoats we caught.
This is great news but in contrast to Doc checking the Haast Highway trapping line Tuesday 26th January and catching 10 stoats, 1 rat and 2 hedgehogs and a few people reported a lot of stoat sightings to me too at Makarora village, Cameron Flat, Siberia Hut, and Fern Bern Hut and near the neck.
All lines are now being checked every three weeks.

Waitangi Week End - 6th to 8th February 2009

2008-12-19T22:31:00.003+13:00

The South Coast with Dunedin and Southland Branches

Visit the Longwood Range, Pahia Hill, Cosy Nook, Monkey Island, Rowelan Beech Forest, Lake Hauroko and the Big Totara Tree.

Fitness: Generally easy

Tuatapere Back Packers and Motels - prices from $25 upwards.
Bookings essential through the Contact Person.

Saturday night speaker: Dr Ian Turnbull IG&NS - Mapping the Geology of Fiordland.

Contact Person: John Turnbull: Ph 03 443 8253 or JLTurnbull@xtra.co.nz

MARINE BIRD AREAS

2008-12-08T17:25:00.002+13:00

In November, Forest and Bird hosted a
two-day workshop on establishing
Marine Important Bird Areas for New
Zealand.

The bird experts met to discuss the data
for New Zealand. The study is a
cooperative project involving scientists
from Forest & Bird, BirdLife
International, Ornithological Society of
New Zealand, NIWA and the
Department of Conservation.

The group decided to use the BirdLife
International database to collate
information about seabird breeding sites
around New Zealand. The data are very
dispersed and in some cases
undocumented.

The study will come up with ideas for
Important Bird Areas. For more details,
see
http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/sit
es/marine_ibas (or search Marine IBAs
on the BirdLife International website for
a full description of what these are.

If branch members know about seabird
breeding colonies in their area, please
contact Susan Waugh, 04 801 2765,
s.waugh@forestandbird.org.nz

Lindis Pass Trip Sat 1 November

2008-10-27T20:42:00.001+13:00

Lindis Pass Trip Sat 1 November Update

Joy Comrie from the Twizel DOC will introduce the new fertiliser trials on tall tussockland in the Reserve, which aim to investigate various fertiliser regimes on tussock growth and competition with hieracium. This is a joint DOC-Landcare Research project. The talk will be followed by a walk to investigate the flora of teh reserve and enjoy the subalpine landscape. Medium fitness required.
At the moment it looks like post-NW southwesterlies so may be cool and windy and maybe even a little wet, but hopefully the big High coming over the Tasman will station itself more over the South Island by Saturday!

Postponed October 4 Ecology of Central Otago;

2008-10-03T20:29:00.002+13:00

"The scheduled Forest and Bird lecture by Grant Norbury on the Ecology of Central Otago which was to have been held in Alexandra, and the visit to the proposed new Ecosanctury site in Conroys Gully which was to have been held on the 11h October, has been postponed until further notice".

Update: Lindis Pass Conservation Group AGM and Workday Sunday 12th October

2008-10-02T09:24:00.002+13:00

The AGM and workday for the Lindis Conservation Group has been pushed on to Sunday 12th October to avoid a clash of dates with Grant Norbury's talk and visit to Conroys Guilly on the F&B programme. Same start time of 10am Otago side of Pass.

Contact Anne Steven to advise if coming and arrange car pooling.
03 443 6766
021 2939 207
em. a.steven@xtra.co.nz

Lindus Pass Trip November 1st

2008-09-18T15:39:00.003+12:00

Lindis Pass - afternoon ridgeline walk to selected peak (three choices) preceded by morning talk on hieracium and sweet brier ecology and management in tall tussocklands (scientific speaker(s) ) (combined with conservation group work day - brier cutting an option for those less able or inclined to climb the hills)

Medium fitness

Contact person: Anne Steven
Ph 03 443 6766 evening

Stoat Trapping Haast Highway

2008-09-09T16:18:00.002+12:00

Checked the Haast Highway Stoat Line last Friday 5th September and caught only 1 young female stoat with a white winter coat. I saw 2 Mohua and heard another one along the bridle track.

Explore Matukituki River this Saturday 13th September

2008-09-09T11:01:00.002+12:00

Forest & Bird Field Trip. Come and explore Matukituki River this Saturday 13th September 10am, Rare plants, great views, big walk. All welcome.
Please contact Andrew Penniket 443 1211

Bring lunch, good shoes and binoculars if you have them

Lots of scenery, some cool plants and one or two surprises.

The plan is to rendezvous at 10 am Motutapu Bridge, on the Treble Cone Road,
just past Diamond Lake.
From there its a 4 hours steady walk ( 6 hour amble) down river banks.

We walk to West Wanaka bridge where a vehicle will be left to retrieve the
others.

Bring lunch etc, good shoes ( a few easy river crossings and a bit of mud
maybe) and binoculars if you have them

Wanaka Splash for Trash 2008

2008-09-01T22:00:00.004+12:00

Volunteers needed for lake cleanup

Scuba Steve needs help from the Wanaka diving community and residents to do a giant spring clean of Lake Wanaka.

The cleanup will be held on Saturday, 20 September 2008, as part of International Cleanup Day run by Project AWARE Foundation.

Scuba Steve aims to get rid of rubbish from around the lakeshore, and to clean up the lake bed too.

“You don’t have to be a diver to get involved. Bring your friends and family along and help make clean waters a reality,” said Steve Traynor.

“If you’re interested in participating, drop by our store (20 Achilles Place, Wanaka) or give us a call: 03 443-4954.”

Splash for Trash programme
Wanaka 2008

Ÿ Foreshore & Lake bed cleanup to meet at Log Cabin at 12pm.
All participants must register with Scuba Steve, or Sophie at Wanaka Wastebusters 443 8606 x7.

Guide to Falcon Identification

2008-09-01T21:44:00.002+12:00

The Raptor Association has a new guide on identification on Falcons which is very useful, click below to down load.

Guide.pdf

If you would like to read the latest newsletter from the Raptor Ass. the link is; http://www.uppercluthaforestandbird.org.nz/newsletters.html

Branch Newsletter

2008-08-04T20:41:00.003+12:00

Check out the new Branch Newsletter and send us back any comments
U%20C%20FB%20%20Br%20Newsletter%20edited%20%284%29.pdf

White Turn

An egg laid by the White Turn. The egg is sticky and is laid on the more horizontal branches. Island of Maninita in the Vava'u, the Northern group of islands in the Kingdom Of Tonga.

Request for photos

2008-08-03T18:28:00.002+12:00

Has any body got any photos of birds feeding in their gardens.
The committee is going to publish some information regarding native plants which provide food for bird during the winter.

If you can get out into your gardens and take some photos of birds feeding this may help.
We will look forward to your reply, just send them to info@upppercthaforestandbird.org.nz

Garden Bird Survey Results

2008-08-01T18:15:00.003+12:00

SPARROWS BEAT SILVEREYES

House sparrows have claimed the top spot in early results from this year’s Garden Bird Survey, pushing silvereyes off the highest perch. Silvereye numbers have dropped from 10.2 per garden last year to 8.4 this year.

Chaffinches, tui and dunnocks (or hedge sparrows) are more common this year, survey organiser Eric Spurr says. Greenfinches, song thrushes and goldfinches are less common, with goldfinches not making it in to the top10 this year.

About half the results are still to be entered so the totals could change. During the July 12-20 survey, organised by Landcare Research, people sent details of birds seen in their gardens.

More information: http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/gardenbird/index.asp

BRANCH PROGRAMMES 2008-2009

2008-07-28T10:24:00.003+12:00

There are a couple of corrections to the DUNEDIN, SOUTH OTAGO
AND UPPER CLUTHA branch program for 2008-2009.

Dunedn programme - the talk on Nov 17th should be on the 18th and the dates for the Kaikoura SI meeting should be October 18th 19th.

Upper Clutha - programme - September 6 - Andrew wishes this to be shifted to the 13th September.

If any other changes our made they will be published on this web site as soon as they come hand.

Programmes%20June%2008_FINAL.pdf

Haast Pass Predetor Control

2008-07-14T09:32:00.001+12:00

We checked the Haast Highway trapping line yesterday and caught 5 stoats, 1 rat and 1 possum and replaced the eggs. While checking the traps we heard a Kaka near Haast Pass.
As it is winter and the number of predators has dropped, we will take turn checking the Haast Highway trapping line every 4 weeks. The next date for F&B to check the line is the week of the 4th August.

Garden Bird Survey 12 to 20 July

2008-07-14T09:18:00.003+12:00

BIRDWATCHING IN THE GARDEN

Get out into your backyard this month and survey the birdlife. From July 12-20 the Garden Bird Survey is in full flight. All you need to do is watch the birds in your backyard for one hour some time during the week and record the largest number of each species of bird you see at one time. You may prefer to birdwatch from indoors, and you don’t have to survey the whole garden.

A total of 2064 people took part in last year’s survey, and organiser Eric Spurr hopes for even more this year.

Last year the silvereye was recorded in the greatest numbers, with an average 10.2 per garden. The house sparrow (9.4 per garden) was a close second, starling (3.1 per garden) a distant third, and blackbird (2.7 per garden) fourth. The blackbird was the most widely distributed species, found in 90 per cent of home gardens, followed by the house sparrow (86 per cent), silvereye (81 per cent) and starling (61 per cent).

The annual survey aims to follow distribution and population trends of common garden birds. Landcare Research is running it with help from Forest & Bird, the Ornithological Society, the Department of Conservation, the Royal Society and city and regional councils. The results of last year’s survey are at:http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/gardenbird

Winter Kea Survey (July 2008) - We need volunteers now for this project

2008-07-10T10:56:00.003+12:00

See any of these fellows lately, why not join the winter survey in July.

Registration form below

registration_form.pdf

Letter to all members/nonmembers of the Upper Clutha branch

2008-07-10T10:38:00.002+12:00

To all members/nonmembers of the Upper Clutha branch.

Below is attached a letter which gives an out line to branch activities and involvement the committee has in running the branch. There is a new proposal for improving branch communications along with a open invitation for help to be involved with the running of the branch.

F%26B%20letter%20to%20branch%20members.pdf

NZ Falcon Survey

2008-06-24T20:01:00.006+12:00

The Raptor assocaiation of New Zealand have been conducting a survey of NZ Falcon and would like any sightings to be recorded on their web site http://www.ranz.org.nz/

Below is the Raptor ass. newsletter
Newsletter-june08.pdf

There is also another web site which collects any sightings of birds which anybody can join and leave their sightings.
http://devserver02.landcareresearch.co.nz/artportalen/birds/default.asp

Stoat trapping up date

2008-06-08T17:41:00.002+12:00

DOC checked the Haast Highway stoat line last week on Thursday 29th May and caught 4 stoats and 1 hedgehog.
DOC also added 5 more tunnels traps
We still check the trapping line every 3 weeks, so next checking week of 16th June.

Hector's Dolpin

2008-06-03T16:09:00.002+12:00

Hector's and Maui's dolphins...

Well done everyone

Government responds to public demand for protection

Thanks to you all for your hard work and persistence in pressuring the Government to bring in measures to protect our endangered Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins.

Without your thousands of submissions, letters and cards, the dolphins would be heading closer to extinction.

On Thursday the Government announced a package of measures, including four new marine mammal sanctuaries, extending the sanctuary off Banks Peninsula, regional bans on set net fishing, sand mining and mineral extraction, and restrictions on trawling. An extra $6 million over the next three years will pay for observers on all commercial fishing vessels operating where the dolphins live.

The protection is not as comprehensive as called for by Forest & Bird but the new measures are nevertheless a very significant step forward for Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins and show the effect environmental NGOs can have when working together.

The Forest & Bird team extends wide congratulations to all of you who wrote submissions, sent letters and postcards, held events and lobbied MPs. Special recognition goes to the branch Hector’s and Maui’s campaign team members, to the Central Auckland branch for part-funding the campaign, plus the many scientists who have dedicated many years to protecting these special animals.

The Government’s response to the overwhelming public call to protect Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins should be supported. You can:

1. Send letters of congratulations to the Ministers of Conservation and Fisheries.

2. Write to the editor of your local paper supporting the decisions.

3. Forward this email to others.

For more information: http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/

Thanks to you all.