Latest News

Lindis Pass Trip Sat 1 November

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:42:00 +0000

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;

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:29:00 +0000

"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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:24:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:39:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:18:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:01:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:44:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:41:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 06:28:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:15:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:24:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:32:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:18:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:56:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:38:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:01:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 05:41:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:09:00 +0000

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.

New Planting on Waterfall Creek walkway

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:11:00 +0000

On monday 26th, 25 Students from Mt Aspiring Collage Finished off the plant of native plants along the walk way. The Day was spent putting 120 plants in the ground with both Rabbit protection and fertilizer pellets. This now concludes the grant money which was provided by the Central Lakes Trust for the vegetation of the Millennium walk way.

Trip program

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Tue, 27 May 2008 04:32:00 +0000

UPPER CLUTHA BRANCH - PROGRAMME FOR 2008 - 2009

August 16-17 Orokonui Ecosanctury (with Dunedin Branch) Saturday.
Visit Wetland on Sunday. Easy to medium
Contact person: Dr Michael Floate Ph 03 445 2829
Or, John Turnbull Ph 03 443 8253

September 6 A walk up from the West Matukituki River bridge to visit
Wetlands, and then turn left and up the Motatapu River
to the road bridge. Medium
Contact person: Andrew Penniket Ph 03 443 1211

October 4 Ecology of Central Otago; lecture by Grant Norbury in Alexandra
Followed by a visit to the proposed new Ecosanctury site in
Conroys Gully. Easy.
Contact person: Dr Michael Floate Ph 03 445 2829

November 1 Lindis Pass. Weeds of the high country. Medium
Contact person: Anne Steven Ph 03 443 6766

December 6 -7 Week End at Makarora: Nesting birds on the river bed. Evening
Talk. Sunday bridle track for Mohua. Easy, Medium.
Contact person: Mark Ayre Ph 03 443 1369

January 31 Week End South Coast, Orepuki, Lake Hauroko and Longwood
February 1 Range (with Dunedin and Southland Branches). Easy to
Medium.
Contact person: John Turnbull Ph 03 443 8253

March 7 Omarama, Clay Cliffs, Tarn Brae (ex tenure review). Botany with
DoC. Easy.
Contact person: Errol Carr Ph 03 443 8669

April 4 AGM at Frankton. Followed by a trip to Lake Alta. Easy.
Contact Person: John Turnbull Ph 03 443 8253

AGM 2008 Report

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Tue, 27 May 2008 04:11:00 +0000

Click to down load report for the Upper Clutha Branch AGM report of Forest and Bird.

UC%20AGM%202008%20-%20Website.pdf

Photo showing the Venue at Lowburn for the AGM

Stoat Trapping up date

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:57:00 +0000

DOC just checked the Haast Highway stoat line a few days ago on the 9th April and caught 11 stoats and 2 rats.
As the number of stoats is getting higher we still need to check the stoat line every 3 weeks, taking turns.
F&B Team could check the stoat line the week of 28th April.

Making an Onduline lizard home

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:17:00 +0000

Onduline lizard home
Onduline is an extremely tough lightweight corrugated roofing and cladding product made from organic fibres saturated with bitumen. Check the manufacturer’s website for a local supplier www.onduline.co.nz.

Sheets are two metres long and can be cut into smaller pieces (290 mm x 400 mm or larger) with a handsaw or skillsaw. These should be stacked two or three-high with small stones in between the layers.

Place your lizard home in a warm dry sunny area with good cover such as divaricating shrubs, tussocks and rock piles. Once in place do not disturb your lizard home. Prospective tenants will abandon habitat that is frequently disturbed.

eNewsletter March 08

noreply@blogger.com (forestandbird) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:22:00 +0000

Click on pdf file to see newsletter

eNews%20March%202008.pdf