Visit to Kaitoke Regional Park March 2012
By Gillian Corder
Graham Petterson near Rivendell swingbridge
The last day of March saw a small but enthusiastic group of branch members visit Kaitoke Regional Park. On our arrival we were met by Barry Wards, former Forest and Bird president, who had kindly booked a barbecue area complete with tables and seating. We were soon joined by further members of the Upper Hut branch who added to the very convivial lunch.
Steve Edwards the Park ranger and our guide for the day, arrived right on cue as the last crumb disappeared. A short bus trip to Pakuratahi Forks followed by a brief stroll and we were at the start of our tour. Through Steve we learned of the park’s history and its brush with fame, courtesy of Peter Jackson. On route we were shown wonderful views and saw many magnificent old growth trees including Rimu and Rata. After what seemed no time at all, everyone crossed a long, high, swing-bridge to arrive back at the bus. For a short time Kaitoke had become Rivendell home of the Elves with magic trees and magnificent bush.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the very old Rata vines and some amazing Kahikatea but it was Steve’s commentary that brought it all to life. His words allowed the layers of history in this forest to unfold and take us on a very special journey back in time and his abundant knowledge was shared with passion and generosity.
A final bonus was our stop at the Pauhatahanui Reserve on the way home. Warm sunshine and a host of birds created a lovely end to our trip. More
Kapiti-Mana donates $3000 to eradicate Stoats on Kapiti Island
Since Kapiti island became pest free in 1997 is has become a safe haven for many rare or endangered species of birds. The discovery of a stoat in October 2010 poses a serious threat to their safety. If the island’s value as a pest free sanctuary is not to be undermined, any remaining stoats must be eradicated as soon as possible. Kapiti-Mana Branch has therefore made a donation of $3000 to the Forest and Bird appeal fund to assist the Department of Conservation in this critical task. More
Kapiti-Mana wins Heritage and Environment Award
Winning this years Heritage and Environment Category of the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards for our support of the Raumati South School Bush Walk project came as a great honour to the branch. It was even more pleasing to learn that a group of children from the school were the driving force behind the nomination. More
Living walls prevent erosion
Living walls with backfill - Wharemauku Stream in Kaitawa Reserve
Fifteen years of restoration by Forest and Bird volunteers have seen huge improvements to Kaitawa Reserve. However, serious erosion of the banks of the Wharemauku stream in storm conditions has been a constant ongoing problem. After lobbying KCDC last year that is now changing. More
Thousands of birds wrecked
Broad-billed prions on Kundy Island, off Stewart Island, March 2011.
Photo: Colin Miskelly. Copyright Te Papa
It is now clear that the storm which brought us the recent tornado also wreaked havoc on flocks of prions, returning from their feeding grounds to islands in the Marlborough Sounds and Cook straight. Many bodies now lie strewn over a wide area of the lower west coast of the North Island, others as far as Dargaville and Okarito around 900 km apart. More
Aquatic survey of Wharemaku stream
An aquatic survey of the upper Wharemaku stream in Kaitawa Reserve has been carried out by Massey University prior to commencement of works to prevent erosion. The survey involving an electro-fish count, macro-invertebrate sampling and sediment sampling revealed a total of seven species. Redfin Bully and Shrimp proved to be the most abundant species followed by significant numbers of both Longfin and Shortfin eels and some Inanga (see photo). Sadly however, Banded Kokopu proved much less common and very few Koura or Inanga were found. Overall there are significantly less species and smaller populations than those found in the lower Wharemaku stream.
A similar post-works survey is planned to estimate population changes brought about by the project.
With support from Forest and Bird, KCDC have adopted an approach to the works that will not only prevent erosion but should provide a more natural, eco friendly in-stream habitat with robust natural surroundings. This will be achieved by shading the water with native plantings along the top of living walls, by rock overhangs and by the spaces within the rock protection offering hiding places and flood shelters for aquatic species.
This innovative approach has already proven successful in a recent project at Lucas Creek, Albany and earlier projects carried out in the North Shore area.
Further planting is proposed by KCDC in a riparian strip or buffer zone after completion of the works.
Latest news: Resource Consent has been granted and tenders are about to go out for the work.
Sustainable Home and Garden Show 26 - 27 March 2011
Frog Quiz Winners
This year saw a Forest and Bird display on the theme of frogs in the Biodiversity tent at the Kapiti Coast Sustainable Home and Garden Show in Paraparaumu. The display, originally produced for the 2010 Frog week, delved into the life and times of our four endemic native frogs and the three, more common, introduced frogs from Australia.
There was a frog quiz based on the display with two prizes: The winners drawn from almost sixty correct entries were as follows:
The prize for 10 to 15 year olds, a “Ranger for a day” package at Nga Manu Nature Reserve in Waikanae, went to Gus Aiken.
Gus was amazed at the phone call awarding him the prize and rushed to tell everyone in the house. At his presentation in Nga Manu, Rhys Mills the Reserve supervisor suggested that Gus might help with moving some of the birds and with their medication.
The picture shows Gus holding a whistling tree frog, an Australian immigrant, at his prize-giving. Sadly, our New Zealand native frogs are very rare now and are not found on the Kapiti Coast.
The prize for 5 - 9 year olds, one year’s membership of the Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC), went to Molly Grant. Molly was presented with her prize at the KCC Pauatahanui Inlet activity on 16 April.
The Kiwi Conservation Club has a fun, action packed programme planned for the year ahead, which we’re sure Molly will enjoy.
A double for Raumati South School
Raumati South School wins again!!! The school not only took out gold in the Resourceful Garden competition with their African keyhole concept garden but also won the “Peoples’ Choice” award. See Photos
Bioblitz 2011
The Mana Island Land and Sea BioBlitz 2011 is now finished. It encompassed the areas of Mana Island, around Titahi Bay and the sea in between – including the area known as the Bridge.
The Bioblitz was designed to uncover as many different species as possible in a defined area on Mana Island, the nearby mainland and in the surrounding waters. The total Species identified by15 March was 1,317 including three completely new species, and three described but as-yet unpublished species. For more information see: www.bioblitz.org.nz.
Kapiti Branch Barbecue
The Kapiti-Mana branch barbecue on Saturday 19th February at Kaitawa Reserves saw a group of members and guests enjoying their lunch in near perfect weather. This was followed by an interesting and informative tour of the reserves guided by John McLachlan. More
Ruamati South School Celebrates
Raumati South School wins Bronze Award. The award presented by the Enviroschools Foundation at the end of last term acknowledges schools that have laid the foundations for a sustainability journey. It comes after more than two years’ of work and learning by the students and staff to create a sustainable learning and living environment. The results are an impressive native bush walk linking four locations around the school, and a vegetable garden of raised beds complete with composting and worm farming systems. More
John Topliff awarded Old Blue
John recently received an Old Blue award for long service to conservation projects on the Kapiti Coast and in particular for his one-man crusade to revitalise the south bank of the Waikanae River. More
