Trip Reports and Branch Program
Walking the wild side of Matuktuki
Finding one of the world’s largest tree daisies was a special treat for the Upper Clutha Forest & Bird Society’s first field trip of the season, last Saturday.
Thirteen people from the ages of 13 to 70+ walked for two hours along the river bank above the West Matukituki Bridge. Splendid scenery and vistas of the snow covered Buchanan Peaks were some of the rewards, along with views of black fronted tern as they winged their way up river.
The group also got views of a large and precarious colony of black shags, perched and nesting in trees on the cliff-top of the Matakitaki Bluff Conservation Area. Their strange calls echoed across the swamp. The protection of this lovely wetland and cliff-forest habitat has been a most welcome outcome of the tenure review process here. The introduced willows, however, remain a menace to the Conservation area and the wildlife of the adjacent Matukituki River.
After another hour’s walk up river, the group stopped for lunch on the banks of the river just in time to watch contestants in the Mountain to Mountain endurance race paddle past in their kayaks.
Then came the highlight of the trip, a recently discovered giant specimen of Hector’s tree daisy (Olearia hectorii). One of the few deciduous native trees in New Zealand, Hector’s tree daisy is high up on the endangered tree species list and is now confined to just a few locations in the South Island.
This huge tree is the only one growing at this location and was measured by the Forest & Bird Group, giving a circumference of 4.9m at knee height. We believe that this individual tree may be the biggest known of its species, and possibly one of the biggest tree daisies in the world. Although it is in fine health there is no regeneration underneath.
The lack of seedlings and regrowth is a widespread problem with the Hector’s tree daisy. Stock and hare grazing is part of the problem but it also seems the seeds have very particular requirements for germination. DOC is currently researching this problem at sites in the Matukituki Valley, in an attempt to aid recovery of the tree daisy.
The Matukituki riverbank walk is one of the most delightful of all local walks but extra care should be taken during calving and lambing season in October and November.
Forest and Bird have monthly field trips throughout Otago and all are welcome. Please visit www.uppercluthaforestandbird.org.nz
Thirteen people from the ages of 13 to 70+ walked for two hours along the river bank above the West Matukituki Bridge. Splendid scenery and vistas of the snow covered Buchanan Peaks were some of the rewards, along with views of black fronted tern as they winged their way up river.
The group also got views of a large and precarious colony of black shags, perched and nesting in trees on the cliff-top of the Matakitaki Bluff Conservation Area. Their strange calls echoed across the swamp. The protection of this lovely wetland and cliff-forest habitat has been a most welcome outcome of the tenure review process here. The introduced willows, however, remain a menace to the Conservation area and the wildlife of the adjacent Matukituki River.
After another hour’s walk up river, the group stopped for lunch on the banks of the river just in time to watch contestants in the Mountain to Mountain endurance race paddle past in their kayaks.
Then came the highlight of the trip, a recently discovered giant specimen of Hector’s tree daisy (Olearia hectorii). One of the few deciduous native trees in New Zealand, Hector’s tree daisy is high up on the endangered tree species list and is now confined to just a few locations in the South Island.
This huge tree is the only one growing at this location and was measured by the Forest & Bird Group, giving a circumference of 4.9m at knee height. We believe that this individual tree may be the biggest known of its species, and possibly one of the biggest tree daisies in the world. Although it is in fine health there is no regeneration underneath.
The lack of seedlings and regrowth is a widespread problem with the Hector’s tree daisy. Stock and hare grazing is part of the problem but it also seems the seeds have very particular requirements for germination. DOC is currently researching this problem at sites in the Matukituki Valley, in an attempt to aid recovery of the tree daisy.
The Matukituki riverbank walk is one of the most delightful of all local walks but extra care should be taken during calving and lambing season in October and November.
Forest and Bird have monthly field trips throughout Otago and all are welcome. Please visit www.uppercluthaforestandbird.org.nz
WORKDAY PROGRAMME LINDIS PASS SCENIC RESERVE
Summer 2008-2009
October 12[new date change]
AGM over lunch
Inspect Telstra Clear cable line
Survey road corridor weeds (lupins, etc); Remove ragwort
Rubbish collection
Brier control
November 1
Coincides with F&B trip to the Lindis Pass (co-ordinator: Anne). There will be a talk in the morning, proposed topic is weed management in tall tussock grasslands with visiting speaker(s);
Brier control in the afternoon or participate in a walk
29 November
Brier control; Native shrub survey; (Rubbish)
20 December
Alpine ridge walk to look at alpines in flower
January/February
Snow tussock seed collection when ready – dates to be advised
Skink habitat survey with Stu Thorne/James Reardon (date to suit Stu but try for 24th January); possibly an overnighter
February 21
Brier control;
Rubbish collection; other weed control, eg, lupins
This trip could be an overnighter if people wish and weather good (Sat night)
March 9
Shrublands survey and berry collection (inspect gully vegetation)
Brier Control
Saturday 8th
March is a Forest and Bird trip to the Clay Cliffs near Omarama so this trip is proposed as an overnighter, staying at or near the Pass
April 18
Berry collection; Brier Control
Executive Committee meeting
(rubbish)
Can down load pdf
lindus%20program.pdf
Summer 2008-2009
October 12[new date change]
AGM over lunch
Inspect Telstra Clear cable line
Survey road corridor weeds (lupins, etc); Remove ragwort
Rubbish collection
Brier control
November 1
Coincides with F&B trip to the Lindis Pass (co-ordinator: Anne). There will be a talk in the morning, proposed topic is weed management in tall tussock grasslands with visiting speaker(s);
Brier control in the afternoon or participate in a walk
29 November
Brier control; Native shrub survey; (Rubbish)
20 December
Alpine ridge walk to look at alpines in flower
January/February
Snow tussock seed collection when ready – dates to be advised
Skink habitat survey with Stu Thorne/James Reardon (date to suit Stu but try for 24th January); possibly an overnighter
February 21
Brier control;
Rubbish collection; other weed control, eg, lupins
This trip could be an overnighter if people wish and weather good (Sat night)
March 9
Shrublands survey and berry collection (inspect gully vegetation)
Brier Control
Saturday 8th
March is a Forest and Bird trip to the Clay Cliffs near Omarama so this trip is proposed as an overnighter, staying at or near the Pass
April 18
Berry collection; Brier Control
Executive Committee meeting
(rubbish)
Can down load pdf
lindus%20program.pdf