Trip Reports and Branch Program

Makarora Braided River Field Trip 6/7 November 08

2008-12-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

Braided River Enlightment
Braided River Enlightment
Finding one of the world’s unique endemic wading birds, the wrybill, was a special treat for the Upper Clutha Forest & Bird Society, on last Saturday’s trip to learn about the braided rivers in our own area.

Eleven people gathered in the Makarora Valley, first to hear an introductory talk on braided rivers. This presentation was given by Florence Gaud [Biodiversity Assets - DOC Ranger]. From this we learned that New Zealand has the world’s leading examples of braided rivers and the unique ecosystem which the rivers support. We were then well informed about what the braided river system had to offer.
The river had been checked the day before and, as in all braided riverbeds, the water was rapidly receding after the recent rain, enabling us walk out in amongst the braids.
We entered the braided river amongst the splendid scenery of the glaciered valleys of the junction of the Wilkin and Makarora Rivers, shown below group watching a Wrybill.

The initial pair of South Island Oystercatcher were trying very hard to lead us away from their young birds with the broken wing trick. But the young were rather obvious, being about the same size as the parents.
The Wrybill is the only bird in the world whose specialised bill is curved to the right side, enabling it to feed under the well-worn gravel rocks in the river the beds. That was one theory, but the alternative is that the curvature is due to effects of Coriolis force, and if the birds were found in the Northern Hemisphere the bill would curve to the left, just like water swirling down the plug hole. Even watching the birds feeding along the river within 3 or 4 m distance, it was very difficult to see them; their camouflage was perfect, with slate-grey back and pale under-belly, and the body about the size of a Blackbird’s. The bird shown below was photographed by Nick Ledgard from the Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group Inc.

During the morning we wandered down the river braids and could observe a large colony of Black-Backed Gulls which are breeding on an island in the river. Several of the unique Endemic Black-Fronted Terns, with sharp grey on top and white underbelly, and with a smart black cap and fine red, bill passed by while feeding in the river. The last unique endemic birds to be seen were several Black-billed gulls, whose numbers are drastically declining.
In total we saw at least 5 Wrybill, and in the afternoon walk further down the river we were treated to some very special moments when the Wrybill walked by within 2 m while feeding on the braided river edge, then flew to a pool in front of us and proceeded to have a bath. There was need for all our high-powered telescopes.

A very enjoyable BBQ was held at the Makarora Community centre and we then had a presentation by our guest, Nick Ledgard, from Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group Inc, who gave us a very informative talk about the very successful work on the Ashley braided river. This was then followed by Florence Guard [Biodiversity Assets - DOC Ranger] who introduced the Sunday morning’s trip to be held in the Native Beech forest of the Haast Pass. Florence talked about the very successful predator trapping scheme on the Haast Pass that the Forest and Bird and DOC had been working on together, and the future developments.
Sunday was yet another perfect day with blue sky and sunshine. The group walked to the top of the new lookout track at the Haast Pass, which was initiated by Forest and Bird and completed by DOC. This walk is the shortest track in NZ which enables walkers to reach the sub-alpine environment. It gives marvellous views up to Mt Brewster and down the Makarora valley. The top of the track is situated in an area where a fire had burned through, and here it is unique. While walking the track we were able to check all the traps.
The last part of the trip was down the old Bridle Track from the top of the Haast Pass to Davis Flat. There were numerous small Riflemen feeding continuously as we wandered down the track, checking the traps.

Forest and Bird have monthly field trips throughout Otago and all are welcome. Please visit www.uppercluthaforestandbird.org.nz

Trip Report Orokonui Ecosanctuary and Tavora Penguin Reserve

2008-10-21T01:50:00.000-07:00

Trip Report Orokonui Ecosanctuary and Tavora Penguin Reserve August 16 and 17 2008

Coastal view from Bobby’s Head, Tavora Reserve.

This was planned as a joint trip involving both Dunedin and Upper Clutha Branches. Unfortunately the weather was terrible and a rather small crowd turned up for a talk and tour of the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, and the Sunday trip to the Tavora Reserve at Bobby’s Head (near Goodwood) was cancelled altogether.

For those who did venture out it was a most interesting visit to the Ecosanctuary with Ralph Allen as our guide. We started at the double gate at the top where we were asked to check our packs and clothes for unwelcome passengers like mice. The double gate in the predator proof fence is like an ‘air-lock’ for similar biosecurity reasons.
10 stalwarts enjoying a winter visit to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary.

During the morning we were shown various parts of the sanctuary, including an aviary where we saw 6 kaka through the close-weave wire mesh cage.

A kaka showing off its bright red under plumage.

We also learned about management of the sanctuary and the great work done by volunteers who regularly patrol the 10 km long boundary fence to check for problems.

Because the weather was so miserable we retreated to the valley floor for lunch and had a short walk to see the Tall Trees before dispersing about mid-afternoon

Again because of the weather, the trip to the Tavora Penguin Reserve on Sunday was cancelled, or postponed for those who wish to go there on another occasion.

Leaders: Janet Ledingham (Dunedin) John Turnbull and Mike Floate (Upper Clutha).

Photos by Mike Floate:-

The group listening to Ralph Allen in the shelter of native coastal bush

Janet Ledingham getting up close to a kaka in its protective cage before release into bush.

Tidal stream and re-vegetation at Tavora Penguin Reserve.

Forest and Bird members read the signage at Tavora.

Restoration planting of Pingao on the beach at Tavora.

Walking the wild side of Matuktuki

2008-09-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

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

WORKDAY PROGRAMME LINDIS PASS SCENIC RESERVE

2008-09-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

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

BRANCH PROGRAMMES 2008-2009

2008-07-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

ROYAL FOREST AND BIRD PROTECTION
SOCIETY OF N.Z. (Inc)
DUNEDIN, SOUTH OTAGO
AND UPPER CLUTHA
BRANCH PROGRAMMES 2008-2009

UPPER CLUTHA BRANCH

PROGRAMME 2008/2009
August 16-17 Saturday Orokonui Ecosanctury (with Dunedin
Branch). Sunday. Visit Tavora Reserve. Easy to
medium
Contact: Mike Floate 03 445 2829 or John
Turnbull - 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: Andrew Penniket - 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 : Mike Floate - 03 445 2829
November 1 Lindis Pass. Weeds of the high country.
Medium
Contact: Anne Steven - 03 443 6766
December 6 -7 Weekend at Makarora. Nesting birds on the
river bed. Evening Talk. Sunday Bridle Track for
Mohua. Easy.
Contact: Mark Ayre - 03 443 1369
Jan 31-Feb 1 Week End South Coast, Orepuki, Lake Hauroko
and Longwood Range (with Dunedin and
Southland Branches). Easy to Medium
Contact: John Turnbull - 03 443 8253
March 7 Omarama, Clay Cliffs, Tarn Brae (ex tenure
review). Botany with DoC. Easy.
Contact: Errol Carr - 03 443 8669
April 4 AGM at Frankton. Followed by a trip to Lake
Alta. Easy.
Contact: John Turnbull Ph 03 443 8253

DUNEDIN BRANCH PROGRAMME
Meeting point: Botany Dept car park cnr Gt. King and
Union Sts. 9.00am start UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.
2008
August 16 Orokonui Ecosanctuary with Upper
Clutha, Saturday, leave 10.00am Grade
easy. Leader Francie Beggs Ph 453 6188
Transport cost: $6.00.
September 21 Greeting the migration of Titi, Sunday.
Leader: Graeme Loh. Ph 487 6125.
Transport cost: $6.00.
October 19-20 South Island Gathering, Kaikoura.
Contact Mark Hanger Ph 489 3233.
November 23 Visit Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust's Long
Point Conservation Project. Walk this
stunning new coastal reserve in the
Catlins & view species including yellow-
eyed penguins & NZ sealions. Sunday.
Grade easy. Leader, David Macfarlane,
Ph 473 7259. Transport cost: $20.00.
December 6-7 Join Upper Clutha Branch for weekend
at Makarora (see their programme).
Dunedin contact Janet Ledingham.
2009
Jan 31-Feb 1 Weekend South Coast, Orepuki, Lake
Hauroko and Longwood Range see
Upper Clutha Branch Programme.
Contact: John Turnbull - 03 443 8253
February 21-22 Awakino weekend, Wilding pines Sat,
walk-botanise Sunday. Details later.
Leader Janet Ledingham 467 2960
March 22 Te Papanui Conservation Park Grade
easy. Leader Alan Mark. 476 3229.
Transport cost $15.00.
April 25 Maungatua Scientific Reserve Saturday,
fallback Sunday 26th. Grade medium.
Leader: Alan Mark, 476 3229. Transport
cost: $10.00.

INDOOR MEETINGS
Benham Seminar Room*, 2rd Floor Zoology Department
Time 7.45pm.
2008
August 19 Niall Watson, Chief Executive, Otago Fish &
Game Council
“The Nevis: A river worth protecting.”
September 16 Assoc Prof. Liz Slooten, Zoology Dept. ‘New
protective measures for Hector’s dolphin’
October 21 David Macfarlane, Yellow-eyed Penguin
Trust
"Long Shot - No Point?" : a newconservation
project at Long Point, Catlins.
November 17 Ursula Ellenberg, Zoology Department
“Effect of human disturbance on birds, with
special reference to Yellow-eyed Penguins.”
2009
February 17 Dr Bill Lee, Landcare Research, Dunedin
“Biodiversity and ecosystem offsets/
compensation: Conservation tool or
greenwash for developers”.
March 17 Assoc Prof. Clare Freeman, Geography
Department.
“Urban biodiversity: What’s Dunedin got to
offer?”
April 21 Assoc Prof. Steve Wing, Marine Science
Department
“Monitoring biodiversity in the Fiordland
Marine Area.”
May 19 AGM followed by :
Emeritus Prof. Alan Mark, Botany
Department
“Tussock grassland conservation in New
Zealand, in a global context.”
June 16 June 16. Graham Parker, Botany
Department.
“Early results from the translocation of NZ
robins to Orokonui Ecosanctuary.”
July 21 Dr Chris Hepburn, Botany Department
“Using variability in marine ecosystem
characteristics and productivity in the
management of coastal fisheries.”
*NB. All Talks will be in the Benham Seminar Room,
Room 215, 2nd Floor, Zoology Benham Building, 346 Gt King St,
behind the Zoology car park next to the Captain Cook Hotel.
Note, the door will only be open between 7.30 and 8.00 pm.

SOUTH OTAGO BRANCH

SOUTH OTAGO MEETINGS
All meetings except the AGM (27 April) will be held in the
Clutha District Library, Balclutha on the 4th Monday of each
month at 8pm, unless otherwise stated.
2008
June 23 Suzanne Schofield Subantarctic Islands
of NZ
July 28 Gary Ross – The Clutha River
August 25 David Horne - Topic to be advised
September 29 Jenny Campbell – Recycling. Please
note change of date
October 27 Diana Noonan – Whenua Hou (Codfish
Island)
November 24 Jennie Upton – Hector’s Dolphins
2009
February 22 SUNDAY Tea Meeting – Pukerau
Orchids and Landslip
March 23 Fonterra Representative - Dairying
April 27 AGM. Pot Luck Tea, St Marks Church
Hall, 6pm.
May 25 David Orlovich - Fungi
PLANT STALL – FRIDAY 1 AUGUST 2008
All meetings will be advertised in the Clutha Leader on the
Thurday before the meeting.

Programmes%20June%2008_FINAL.pdf

Check Latest news page for alterations to dates

Naseby-Hawkdun Combined Field Trip

2007-04-19T05:49:00.000-07:00

Week End 27th - 28th January 2007

This was a trip to familiarise ourselves with the country out of which the Oteake Conservation Park will hopefully come into being; one of the Six Pack of Parks the Government wishes to create. In order to make an early start the next morning Dunedin branch members joined with our Upper Clutha members at the Naseby Holiday Park on Friday night.

Saturday morning was fine when 32 members left Naseby in seven vehicles. However as there was still some cloud on the tops our first stop was made at the bottom of the Hawkdun Range to introduce ourselves and to discuss tenure review and the results it was producing for conservation. It was pointed out that a large part of the western escarpment of the Hawkdun Range, and plateau above which we were going to visit, had already been returned to the Crown for protection as the result of tenure review.

When it became clear that the westerly wind was increasing enough to push back the cloud which was coming in from the east, a start was made up to the crest of the range using an access track that was becoming available out of the review of Braeside. A stop was made when the crest was reached to take in the vastness of the upland tussock landscape with its deep valleys, scree slopes and wetlands; the view was all embracing.

An opportunity was also taken to explore the scree and tussock slopes for what they contained. We then made our way north along the range to reach the northern most point of land that the Department of Conservation is already administering where a final stop was made for lunch and a wander around. On the way back Alan Mark stopped to show us the Ranunculus hastii with its interesting root system which makes it possible to survive on the harsh scree slopes of this mountain system.

An enjoyable BBQ with much conversation was held in the evening to wind up the day.

Sunday morning saw us heading south and up the Mt Buster road to visit the historic gold workings on the watershed between the Kyeburn and Otematata river systems. Here Graeme Loh described the geology that caused the gold to be found in the white quartz gravel in such an unusual place; an extremely interesting site.

We then headed west below Mt Buster itself, and walked up to the top of the southern escarpment of the range to view the Taieri river winding across the Manitoto plains and the Kakanui Range its eastern boundary. Also from this point we were able to have another view north of the whole upland tussock area. While having lunch just below this point we observed, South Island edelweiss, the pen wiper plant and the interesting vegetable sheep all of which are becoming rarities on the tops of the Central Otago mountains.

After travelling a little further north on a long tussock covered spur in the Otematata watershed we called a halt. Regrettably after having seen only a portion of the whole area time was running out, so we turned around and headed back to Naseby just beating the rain by a margin. The weather gods were kind to us and allowed us an enjoyable and instructive week end.

It is a reflection on the wisdom of an earlier Lands Department in recognising the limitations of these uplands in not leasing the land, but only granting short term licences to graze. The recommendation made by LINZ to cease granting licences to graze the 8400 ha Mt Ida Syndicate block and hand over the administration of it to the Department of Conservation is to be applauded. Hopefully if the proposed Oteake Conservation Park becomes a reality, which Forest and Bird believes it should, it will provide the nation with an outstanding conservation park consisting of remote upland tussock country for all of us to wander through and enjoy at will - a park for the people.

John L Turnbull