The Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society Hauraki Islands Branch
Newsletter – Spring 2015
Tena koutou tatou katoa
We hope you’ll enjoy reading our ‘new look’ newsletter, and please pass it on to
anyone else who may be interested. For anyone new to Forest & Bird, the committee
consists of Jacqueline Joseph (Chair), Rob Brennan (Secretary ), Linda Simpson
(Treasurer), , Sue Fitchett, Jill Jackson (who was seconded by the committee after the
3 May 2015 Branch AGM) Marlene Gray, Ivan Kitson, Flynn Washington, Jane Cooper,
and Hue Ross. Rob has recently moved to the Island from Auckland, where he was an
active member of the West Auckland Branch. A big thank you to all these dedicated
and hard-working volunteers.
By the way, if you would prefer to receive this e-newsletter without the images, ie
text only, or if you would like us to send you a printed copy by mail, please let us
know.
You can email us at hauraki.branch@forestandbird.org.nz
Or write to us C/- PO Box 671 Oneroa Waiheke Island
Or connect with us on our F&B Facebook page and KCC Facebook page.
National Forest & Bird AGM 2015
Branch Chair Jacqueline Joseph and committee member Jane Cooper attended the
National AGM in Wellington at the end of June. They heard from an impressive array
of speakers representing Ngai Tahu, DOC, the Hauraki Gulf Forum, Predator Free NZ,
and Birdlife Pacific, as well as F&B’s legal advocacy team and members honoured for
their significant service, including the first ever ‘Young Blue’ award, which went to a
17-year old conservationist from Timaru.
It was encouraging to hear from Tim Higham of the Hauraki Gulf Forum that the NZ
Storm Petrel which was thought to be extinct for 100 yrs has turned up again, and
that skippers now champion the Black Petrel, which offers hope for a huge attitude
shift if other Gulf users can be brought on board. Chris Gaskin of Marine IBA
(Important Bird Areas) stressed the importance of recognising iconic threatened
marine bird species to help drive the broad support needed to protect critical
ecosystems.
The examples of Kapiti Island and Little Barrier Island becoming predator free defied
earlier predictions that rodents couldn’t be eradicated from small islands, and efforts
continue to increase the number of predator free islands around New Zealand,
including non-DOC islands.
There was an enthusiastic response to Michael Tavares’ rousing speech about his
recent ‘tree experience’ and reflections on the law and nature. Referring to an article
in the environmental ethics literature by Christopher Stone, ‘Should Trees have
Standing?’ and to the precedents set in NZ law with the Whanganui River and Te
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Uruwera becoming legal identities, he suggested that F&B could have a role in
empowering the guardians of nature to stand against corporate despoilment of the
land.
At the Sanderson Memorial Dinner guest speaker David Frame, Professor of Climate
Change at Victoria University, focussed on addressing the disconnect between climate
change science and policy, an increasingly important aspect of conservation concerns.
Despite all the investigations into climate change over the last 25 years, progress in
addressing it has been painfully slow. A sense of shared obligation is needed to
overcome individual governments’ resistance to investing in mitigation strategies.
Hauraki Islands Branch AGM 2015
The Branch’s AGM was held on Sunday 3 May in the Palm Beach Hall. Our Chair,
Jacqueline Joseph, and treasurer, Linda Simpson each presented their reports. The
Branch is in a healthy financial position thanks in large part to the bequest provided
by the late Dora Fisher. Lyndsay Meagher (Secretary), Brian Griffiths, Robin Griffiths
and Russell St Paul decided not to continue on the committee for the coming year.
They were each presented with a small gift as a token of appreciation for their long
service on the committee. The new committee (as detailed above) was elected
without a ballot as the maximum number was not exceeded.
Guest speakers from Auckland Council’s Biodiversity unit gave presentations (Miranda
Bennett on wetlands within the Council region and Tim Lovegrove on the parekareka
/spotted shag which has two of its few nesting sites at the eastern end of the island).
An enjoyable pot luck dinner followed which gave members a chance to socialise.
Branch Members’ Day Trip To Rotoroa Island
We are planning a day trip to Rotoroa Island during November. You may know that
the island has undergone significant re-planting in recent years and it is now predator
free. North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli),takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) and
other endangered native fauna have been released on the island. More details will
follow by separate email.
Focus on Atawhai Whenua
Many thanks to all the members, friends and families who helped to plant native trees
in Atawhai Whenua Reserve on 9 August, as part of a 10th anniversary
commemoration of the life and work of Don Chapple, the creator of the Reserve. The
commemorations also included a walk through the reserve on Sunday 19 July followed
by a talk and tributes to Don at the Oneroa Public Library.
We are also delighted to welcome Mina Cullen, a 13 year-old student from ACG
Parnell, who is enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh programme and has chosen to do
her 26 weeks of service at the Reserve. She lives near Newmarket Park, and says she
has seen what happens in an area when it is not cared for.
Mina has been working with Flynn Washington, who reports that she has made a huge
difference. “Her energy is inspirational, and she is learning to recognise the weeds
quickly.” So far they have worked on the mid-contour track west, and have targeted
mothplant, rhamnus, honeysuckle, smilax, tobacco plant, and boneseed.
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Kaka sightings on Waiheke
Are you seeing kaka around your property on the island? We would like to build up a
better knowledge of this wonderful bush parrot’s distribution and numbers. Is it a
permanent resident here or only a visitor at some times of the year? Reported
sightings will help compile trends and patterns. Please telephone Rob Brennan (372
8075) after 9:00 am and before 9:00 pm to report sightings.
New signage at Onetangi Reserve
It has taken a while to get to this point but we are pleased to report that we now have
taken delivery of new signage which will soon be installed at the four entrances to the
reserve – Roy Nelson Gate; Scotts Terrace; Trig Hill Road and La Franchie Gate. Hue
Ross has worked closely with Snapper Graphics on the island to create the modern
and informative graphics. We hope you will be pleased with the result. The
committee will now focus on directional signs on the tracks, especially at junction
points, within the reserve.
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Volunteer opportunities in our reserves
From Lincoln Jackson
Kia ora! I am excited to have been appointed the new Volunteer Co-ordinator for our
branch.
Forest and Bird has been a volunteer-driven organisation since its inception in the
1920s. With the help of members and benefactors, volunteers have been involved in
numerous projects on the Island, including environmental campaigns, field trips,
working bees and research.
I was recently told that of approximately 50 Forest & Bird branches nationwide, ours
holds title to the second-largest amount of land – about 200 acres in total.
This is a big responsibility, especially since Waiheke is also known as 'the secondweediest island in the world', with an incredible diversity of naturalised exotics
flourishing here. We certainly have our work cut out for us!
I have enjoyed joining North Shore branch working bees on several occasions. Former
winners of Forest and Bird’s prestigious Golden Spade award for their sterling work in
restoring Northcote's Tuff Crater, branch chairman Richard Hursthouse leads weekly
working bees that serve as social occasions as much as they do restoration projects.
This is what I want to do. With our own Waihekean flavour of course.
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I’d like to begin with fortnightly sessions of whatever is required at the time such as:
weeding, releasing, planting, mulching, watering, fertilising, refuse removal, track
clearing etc. We will be working in the most accessible sites for the most part, in order
to accommodate all ages and fitness levels.
Working bees will be followed by a table of refreshments and a chance to hatch new
ideas and plans for the future together.
Our goal is to enable the natural succession of plant species by removing weeds and
planting and protecting natives, eventually restoring these areas back to their former
pristine condition. At the same time we will be raising public awareness about what
introduced species can do and how important it is to maintain the integrity of our
reserves.
If you or anyone you know is interested in being on the email list as part of the team
for regular working bees, please get in touch:
lincolncjackson@gmail.com
022 653 0115 or
3723102.
How to care for injured or abandoned birds
If you find an injured or abandoned bird on Waiheke Island please contact one of the
following people or organisations.
Contacts:
SPCA (Michell Sanders)
(09)372 5222
027 539 5107
Dr Dan Marincas (Waiheke Vets)
(09)372 8484
(Avian expert/DOC accred.)
Dr Alexandra Gilmore (Vets on Waiheke)
(09)372 8387
Inga Muller
(09)372 6744
Forest & Bird Members
- Judy Coutts
(09)372 5452
021 167 6427
- Sue Fitchett
(09)372 7600
027 384 7468
- Jacqueline Joseph
(09)372 2831
027 5929922
These organisations/people can arrange transfer of your bird to specialist bird rescue
organisations in Auckland.
Only people registered by DOC can care for native birds that are abandoned or
injured, however you can give them first aid care by placing the bird in a covered but
ventilated container and taking it to the SPCA or one of the above vet clinics. If this is
not possible, please call the SPCA or Forest and Bird members listed above to help
transport the bird to the appropriate clinic or centre.
To rehabilitate non-native or “common” species, please see the instructions on our
website: Care for abandoned birds
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Protection of culturally significant sites
From committee member Jane Cooper
What should come under Forest and Bird’s mantle of protection? An incident at the
setting up of the Headland Sculpture on the Gulf event earlier this yearprompted
discussion on this question among the local F&B committee, and it seems appropriate
to involve our wider membership in considering the issues, both locally and nationally.
The incident involved power poles being dug into the ground on public land at Matiatia
that includes ancient Māori burial sites. Local Māori saw this as an act of desecration,
of a kind that would not be tolerated, for example, at Onetangi cemetery. Some
committee members felt that F&B had a responsibility to intervene to protect the site,
both as owners of the adjoining Atawhai Whenua Reserve and in view of the
environmental significance of the area. Even though the action was independently and
quickly reversed once those responsible had been made aware of its cultural
significance, the issue calls for clarification of where Forest & Bird’s responsibilities
begin and end.
According to Forest & Bird’s constitution, “The main purpose of the Society shall be:
To take all reasonable steps within the power of the Society for the
preservation and protection of the indigenous flora and fauna and the
natural features of New Zealand.”
Does the urupa (burial site) come under the heading of “indigenous fauna and natural
features of New Zealand” to be preserved and protected? This raises deep questions
about whether humans are to be considered part of “nature” or separate from it. All
humans are fauna, in a biological sense, but presumably we don’t therefore want to
claim that all areas of human cultural significance (e.g. shopping malls, quarries and
golf courses) should receive special protection, especially if this results in the
displacement or destruction of other species. The issue provides an opportunity for
constructive dialogue between Māori and Pakeha views of conservation.
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Native Tree in Focus: Kowhai
A flowering kowhai (Sophora tetraptera/S. mycrophylla) laden with feeding tui is a
New Zealand joy of spring. Two of the best places to enjoy this spectacle is in the
Atawhai Whenua reserve and around the old colonial cemetery opposite the Te
Haahi/Goodwin reserve at Te Matuku Bay on the road to Orapui. The kowhai at the
Roy Nelson entrance to the Onetangi reserve on Waiheke Road are also worth a visit,
especially late afternoon.
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Little Blue Penguins (LBP) – Eutyptula Minor
From Committee Member Sue Fitchett
Eutyptula minor is classified into six sub-species. Five are endemic to New Zealand.
One, Eutyptula minor iredalei (Nth island LBP), has a threat status of ‘At Risk –
Declining.’ In her 2010 thesis on this sub-species of LBP, Monique Jansen Van
Rensburg referred to its conservation status as ‘threatened’ (pg 12 Parasitism,
Disease and Breeding Ecology of Little Blue Penguins (Eutyptula minor) on Tiritiri
Matangi in New Zealand). In 2014 Ms Van Rensburg confirmed that the threat status
of this species had been further elevated. She initiated the increased scientifically
based monitoring of LBP on Waiheke Island starting in 2013, and provided scientific
advice to local conservation efforts in her adviser role in Auckland Council Biodiversity
and also to Auckland Council Biosecurity officers. Ms Van Rensburg and a small team
came to the island last summer and did a survey of potential penguin nesting sites
along the coast from Matiatia to Onetangi. Hue Ross and myself joined her and
introduced her to Seaview Rd house-owners who have been monitoring penguins
nesting under their shed.
In her thesis Ms Van Rensburg cites research that suggests that mainland populations
have faced serious threats over recent decades and may have declined substantially.
She identifies a number of land-based threats, amongst wider threats, including
predators such as dogs, cats, rats and stoats. Ms Van Rensburg states that juveniles
are particularly susceptible to trauma and predation. Ms Van Rensburg’s results
indicate that the LBP breeding success in the Hauraki Gulf is lower than in the South
Island. Breeding pairs appear to have less than one chick per nest and based on her
and other studies she concludes that this may be common for North Island LBP.
Ms Van Rensburg now has a South Island job with DOC. Hue Ross and myself will
continue our involvement with the island’s LBP. Hue continues to make nesting
boxes, some of which have been given to local landowners who have LBP ‘visitors’.
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He also, set up anti-stoat DOC 200 kill traps on the boundary between Te Atawhai
Whenua and the Southern Matiatia foreshore. Myself and Jude Pemberton have
recommenced our nesting and breeding season monitoring at Matiatia near the
wharves. Other helpers for this work would be very welcome.
The Hauraki Gulf Penguin Calendar is as follow:February – end of April = Moulting (They have to stay ashore because they have
to wait for new waterproof feathers).
Mid-April – mid August = Non-breeding period (Penguins finished moulting start
to spend more time at sea but some may start looking for mates onshore from
beginning of July).
July – mid December = Pair bonding/nest building (Penguins will be looking for
a mate with lots of socialising ashore before choosing a nest/burrow site)
Late August – mid December = Egg Laying (although in most cases there may be
only one or two eggs per nest, the species will have staggered egg laying depending
on the completion of their mating stage or climatic conditions etc)
End September – end February = Chick rearing (Feeding by both parents)
Mid-Nov – end February = Chick fledging (Chicks will stay in the burrows until
they are fledged)
We feel that it is imperative that penguins and other ground-nesting and coastal birds
of Waiheke are given increased protection against threats to their habitat and
survival. Dogs ranging off the leash in prime nesting and feeding areas is another
pressure on their survival that needs to be prevented wherever possible.
Responsible Cat Ownership
Our branch has been developing a working relationship with the SPCA to address
issues that create risk for our native bird population (amongst other mutual
concerns). The biggest threat to birds, however, is predator cats.
Waiheke Island has an ongoing problem with abandoned cats, many of which are not
de-sexed. These cats often have litters that can become feral over time and pose a
real risk to our native bird species. But domesticated cats can be predators too,
especially if they are left at home for periods of time without someone feeding them
regularly. We propose to add to a list of responsible cat ownership guidelines in a joint
brochure with the SPCA that includes such protective aids as neck collars and bells, or
cat bibs.
Forest & Bird has an excellent factsheet on responsible cat ownership.
http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/files/file/responsiblecatownership.pdf
In summary, it urges:
Remember: • Desex your cat • Keep your cat indoors at night • Never abandon
unwanted cats • Don’t give pets as gifts • Feed your cat indoors • Don’t feed stray
feral cats • Provide moving toys for your cat • Protect wildlife in your garden
Dora Fisher Bequest
You will probably know that the Branch was the primary beneficiary under the will of
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the late Dora Fisher. Distributions received from the estate have funded much of the
branches general activities in the last few years. The committee received some
unexpected and very timely good news in the middle of July 2015. The solicitors
acting for the estate wrote to the branch to advise that, following receipt of the
proceeds of a life insurance policy, a further (and expected to be final) sum was
available for payment to the branch. That payment has now been received. At the
July committee meeting just two days before, a sub-committee was formed to look at
what refurbishment or maintenance work is needed at the cottage to bring it up to a
more modern standard (see more below). This further payment will fund this work.
Loquat: love ‘em or loathe ‘em?
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a native of Southern China and grows well in frost free
temperate zones. Tui sip the nectar when it flowers in late autumn and kereru gorge
themselves on the sweet abundant fruit which ripens during late winter and early
spring. The fruits ripen at a time when other food options are limited. The problem is
that loquat does too well on Waiheke. The kereru is the ideal seed dispersal agent and
the seedlings cope well with poor light conditions. As a result, this plant is
everywhere on the island. It is invading the bush and, while it does not choke native
vegetation, it is changing the character of our native forests.
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Loquat is not (yet) a legally declared pest plant within the Auckland Council region but
it is on the ‘watch’ list and the Council’s website, bio-security page
(http://www.arc.govt.nz/environment/biosecurity/search-forplants/index.cfm?63E0F20E-14C2-3D2D-B905-50098EBBE4B9&plantcode=Erijap)
notes its invasive qualities and gives advice on how best to remove it.
If you decide to remove loquats on your property or elsewhere, consider replacing
them progressively and with a native plant that will flower and/or fruit at the same
time so as to replace the food source for our native birds. If you have plenty of space
a puriri (Vitex lucens) is one such possibility since it fruits and flowers all year long.
Another spring fruiting native plant is pigeonwood/porokaiwhiri (Hedycarya arborea).
Other plant pests that are rife on Waiheke include moth plant, wild ginger, monkey
apple, tobacco plant, climbing asparagus, Italian buckthorn and Japanese
honeysuckle. Read more
Rat Control Time
Spring time is breeding time for rodents and is when they are on the move looking for
food. Therefore this is the time to set traps and/or replenish poison bait stations.
Bird numbers have improved significantly on Waiheke Island in recent years thanks to
the predator control efforts of many people. If you want to get started but need some
pointers, talk to the people operating the Forest and Bird stall inside the hall at the
Ostend market each Saturday morning.
Looking for a holiday cottage on Waiheke Island?
Enjoy what are probably the lowest holiday rental rates on the Island at the Forest
and Bird Cottage, 3 Scotts Terrace, Onetangi.
The cottage has comfortable accommodation for up to eight people. And thanks to the
generosity of a bequest from the late Dora Fisher, the cottage will be getting a further
facelift soon. The refurbishment work will include a new bathroom and replacement of
the steps and landing to the deck.
Rates vary per night according to the time of year. There are of course reduced rates
for Forest & Bird members.
The cottage is located in a peaceful and beautiful area next to the Onetangi Forest &
Bird Reserve and is within easy walking distance to shops and the beach.
For the latest information on rates, and bookings, please email
fb.cottage.onetangi@gmail.com
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