Otago Coast Seabird Restoration Project
Background
The Otago Peninsula, on the southeast coast of New Zealand was and still is an important
breeding area for many species of seabirds. In all 11 species currently breed along the Otago
coast, while it is known that at least 19 further species frequent the waters. In all almost
40% of New Zealand’s seabirds utilize the waters off Otago.
Much effort has gone into the protection of the iconic species on the Otago peninsula.
There remains much to do, however, to secure the long term survival of several species, not
just on breeding grounds but also on their feeding grounds.
This Project will concentrate on enhancing and assisting in re-establishing a range of
seabirds that lived along the Otago Coast. In the short and medium term the focus will be
on the following species
Fairy Prion
(Pachtptila turtur)
White Faced Storm petrel
(Pelagodroma marina)
Shy mollymawk
(Diomedea cauta)
Common Diving petrel
(Pelecanoides urinatrix)
Mottled Petrel
(Pterodroma inexpectata)
Cooks Petrel
(Pterodroms cookii)
Project Outline
Dunedin Forest & Bird will lead the way in this innovative and exciting seabird conservation
project. Such a project will have multiple facets with short, medium and long-term aims and
achievements
The first priority of any such project is to increase the safety and security of breeding sites
from introduced predators. The immediate focus will be to provide such predator free
environments at the key sites identified along the Otago coast. Dunedin Branch already has
completed a predator proof fence for the St Clair Cliffs site.
For nocturnal seabirds such as petrels, the key factors needed to attract birds to a new or
previous breeding site are vocalisations and the presence of artificial nest sites and burrows.
Where seabirds already visit an area or colonies are nearby, playing tape recordings of
seabird calls each night has been sufficient to start new colonies of several species. The
Dunedin Branch F&B Project Concepts. Page 1 of 5. This version dated 3 February 2015
technology is now well established and has proved successful in many areas in New Zealand
(notably Young Nicks head, Kaikoura)
To encourage burrowing petrels to establish at a new site, it may be necessary to
translocate chicks to artificial burrows, feed the chicks for a few weeks and let them cue into
the new site. This method was trialled initially on black petrels, but has been used
successfully on a number of species in the last 15 years. Fledging rates are now very high.
Aims
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To enhance the wildlife status and natural attractions of the Otago Peninsula and the
greater Dunedin/coastal Otago region, thereby ensuring Dunedin continues to be the
‘Seabird Capital’ of New Zealand
To restore to the Otago coast seabird species thought to be present at the time of the
first human arrival
To provide tangible conservation benefits to NZ seabirds, and in particular to the
threatened species that once bred along the Otago coast
To provide impetus to seabird conservation along the wider Otago and Southland
coastlines
Increase commitment and interest in marine protection generally
To provide valuable data to assist wider marine protection in the region
To provide a conservation focus for Dunedin Forest & Bird Branch activities for several
years to come
To provide rewarding enjoyable voluntary work for society members, and also for
interested members of the public
Dunedin Forest & Bird has traditionally been active in coastal and marine conservation in
Otago. It has been active for many years in providing impetus to seabird conservation along
the wider Otago and Southland coastline
The project fits in well with the future efforts to increase protection on the Otago Peninsula,
and would only enhance chances for creation of a biosphere reserve in the area. It will be
complementary to the activities of other local conservation groups, namely the Otago
Peninsula Trust, The Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust, Save the Otago Peninsula, and Pest Free
Peninsula.
Dunedin Branch F&B Project Concepts. Page 2 of 5. This version dated 3 February 2015
Tautuku Ecological Restoration Project
Introduction
Forest cover of the Catlins is now approximately 54,000ha, well down on the estimated
100,000 ha that formerly clothed the hills and parallel valleys in the southeast corner of the
South Island. At the very heart of the Catlins forests are the Tautuku and Fleming
catchments.
These two catchments now contain some of the finest examples of lowland podocarp rain
forest remaining on the east coast of the South Island, and are the least affected by
agricultural development and the impacts of human settlement. There are smaller tracts of
such forest to the north in the Tahakopa catchment, isolated stands on the northern Catlins
coast, on the hills south of Dunedin, and in disjoint stands on the foothills of Canterbury,
and the Marlborough Sounds. But none of these rival the forests seen in the unbroken vista
from atop Florence Hill
The Vision
The Tautuku Project is to be an ecological restoration project in the Tautuku Bay and Basin,
in the Catlins region of South Eastern Otago. The focus of the project will be on intensive
pest management leading into species translocation. Secondary goals are to restore native
biodiversity in the Tautuku basin, increase knowledge of how to restore biodiversity
nationally, and increase public support for ecological restoration. The project vision includes
the entire Tautuku Bay landscape, incorporating the Fleming and Tautuku catchments
(together known as the Tautuku Basin), an area of approximately 6600 hectares.
There will be no physical barriers between Tautuku Project area and the surrounding
forests, but the regular operation of predator control within its boundaries creates an ecosanctuary compared to the risk- laden forest around. The predator control will allow the
existing flora and fauna to recover: trees and plants, invertebrates, native frogs, and birds.
As well as this natural recovery, a programme of species restoration shall be instigated.
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Project Outline
This project is well aligned with the strategic direction of the society. A key aspect of the
recently adopted strategy is the restoration and protection of large-scale ecologically
sustainable landscapes and threatened species. By developing partnerships and cooperative methods, we shall achieve sustainable conservation outcomes for the Tautuku
and Fleming Valleys, on both the public conservation estate and on protected and nonprotected private areas. This will involve co-operative arrangements with private
landowners, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society as a landowner, Department of
Conservation, iwi, and the local community. The project will establish stronger relationships
with, and develop conservation in, iwi and the wider community
The Dunedin Branch Projects Manager will instigate this Project. It will build on conservation
management programmes, especially possum control carried out by the Animal Health
Board and the Department of Conservation.
A Technical Advisory Group with specialists from the Department of Conservation,
universities and Forest & Bird will be established and will meet regularly to advise on a
range of conservation and pest management issues.
Significant funding for the project will come from a variety of funding sources and
potentially major sponsors. The Marjorie Barclay Trust could be a major contributor from
the Dunedin region, while a range of community funding agencies in both Otago and
Southland will be approached for support.
It is envisaged that the 6,600ha will require an initial expenditure on predator control and
monitoring of approximately $100,000. (tba)
Dunedin Branch F&B Project Concepts. Page 4 of 5. This version dated 3 February 2015
Aims and Objectives
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To restore as much as is practicable, through an ecosystem based recovery
programme, the Tautuku and Fleming River Catchments to their condition prior to
the arrival of Europeans
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To reduce the number of introduced predators, within the bounds of the Tautuku
Basin, (rats, stoats, and possums) to a level at which they do not significantly impinge
on the breeding success of New Zealand’s wildlife, nor significantly reduce the vigour
of the indigenous flora of the region.
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To allow the species currently threatened/endangered/rare to once again flourish in
the Tautuku Basin – Fernbird, Mistletoe, native fish species, short finned eels, native
gecko species
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To provide suitable secure habitat enabling the reintroduction of wildlife species
now locally extinct - e.g. Short tailed bats, Long Tailed bats (?), Brown Teal, Whio,
Kaka, South Island Robin, Mohua.
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To provide educational opportunities and opportunity for active involvement in
conservation activities, habitat restoration and threatened species management for
students studying at the Otago Youth Adventure Trust Complex.
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To provide, for three Forest & Bird branches, a focus on terrestrial forest protection
and restoration.
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To provide opportunities for Forest & Bird volunteers and other conservation
volunteers to be involved in conservation initiatives and in monitoring the success of
such initiatives.
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Multi species pest control and detailed monitoring
Dunedin Branch F&B Project Concepts. Page 5 of 5. This version dated 3 February 2015