Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Southland Ecological Restoration Network

A Network of Southland Community Conservation Projects

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Event

December • OLG Bushy Point

SERN Fiordland Focus Weekend

18 – 20 November 2022

Thanks to everyone who helped to make our SERN Fiordland Focus weekend in November such a success. We began on the Friday night with a presentation from Paul and Lynley King, of the Pomona Island Charitable Trust (sadly Trust Chairman,John Whitehead, was indisposed.) John and Lynley’s enthusiasm for their task in pest eradication on both Pomona and Rona, in the face of both mice and rat incursions this year, was inspiring. Lynley’s interest in the lizard life on the islands adds another dimension to the Trust’s work there. We were left with a feeling of great anticipation for the boat ride to the islands the next day. Saturday dawned fine and pleasant, lending itself nicely to both the Home Creek vist, where Edith Jones outlined the development of the restoration project there, followed by planting/planting maintenance, and the alternative activity - the boat ride across Manapouri. With conditions being perfect, we were able to get off the boat at both Pomona and Rona. It was very interesting to see the techniques the Pomona Trust was using for their predator control, with maze boxes for traps and bait, automatic lure dispensers and night cameras, all helping to control pests and record what’s happening when no-one’s there. The Saturday afternoon began with an update from Anna Harris, Environment Southland Biodiversity team, also Walter Fielde from the ES Pest Plant team. These were followed by talks on the work of Fiordland Trails Trust (Tony Ciaffoni) and Jobs for Nature cotoneaster & barberry control programme ( Sue Marwick),Te Kōawa Mahinga Kai Restoration (Vanessa Horwell), Wilding Pine Control at Mid Dome (Richard Bowman), Forest & Bird’s Te Rere and Otatara Landcare Group’s Bushy Point (Brian Rance), Reforest Southland (Josie Blackshaw), along with an overview from Pete McLelland on animal pest control. At the DOC Te Anau Auditorium that evening we heard briefly from DOC Senior Community Ranger, Crystal Brindle, about the many groups that are working in the Fiordland area, which were displayed on a map. The main speaker for the evening, Campbell Leckie, gave an entertaining update on Predator Free Rakiura. Sunday morning saw us visit the Lower Upukerora Restoration site to hear from George Ledgard about the predator control and education programme the group are working on there, along with Anja Kohler, who does regular bird monitoring of the area. The final stop was at Rakatu where Roger Hodson, recently appointed Waiau Trust field officer (replacing the long serving Mark Sutton), accompanied us for a walk along the top of the ridge, looking out over the wetlands that are well established now, with much natural regeneration.

Thanks go to Environment Southland for their sponsorship of the Fiordland Focus Weekend.

Edith Jones talks about the revegetation work she has done at the Waiau Trust's Home Creek, Manapouri, over the last two decades.
A small cabbage tree planting on the Home Creek flats was undertaken by SERN members attending the weekend.
SERN members also assisted with some planting maintenance.
Coprosma virescens (right) and Corokia cotoneaster are two of the species that have survived the dry conditions on the north hillside at Home Creek
The water taxi pulled up on the beach on Pomona Island, it's regular stop for working bees.
A multi-trap box. Lots of goodies on offer for the pests.
A rat incursion this year has seen Pomona Island Trust needing to increase it's trapping work. They have had to resort to using Pindone, as rats becoming trap shy.
Paul King holds up a tracking pad, being used to survey for lizards, as well as monitoring for absence of mice. A mice incursion on Rona Island has been successfully controlled by the Trust members this year.
No lizard prints on this sheet, but many insect footprints, great news for the birds on Rona.
A sensor camera, which helps the Trust to monitor what's present on the island, whether native or pest species.
Paul shows how the auto feed system works, regularly dropping out a squirt of mayonaise, attracting any wildlife in the area, including pests, which are then recorded on the camera.
The prolific presence of orchids growing on the ground was an eye opener for those used to tramping through Fiordland forest. Generally this species is seen in trees, however with the absence of ungulate browsers they are present where they once would have been.
From the Beehive on the mainland to Rona Island is a mere 600 metres, however pests swimming between the two seems to be a rare occurrence.
The Saturday afternoon session was reporting back from various groups about the restoration work going in Fiordland and the wider Southland. Here Richard Bowman was talking about the latest situation with the Mid-Dome Wilding Pines Trust.
Sunday morning was a visit to the Lower Upukerora River to hear about the small team working to improve the outcome of the river delta nesting birds. Removal of lupins on the gravel in the delta and pest control are being undertaken, with good results.
Another aspect of LURG's work is raising awareness, with signs being erected to help people understand why riding motorbikes or vehicles over these areas is affecting the breeding outcomes of these birds.
The SERN members in attendence at the Fiordland Focus weekend at the Lower Upukerora River car park.
The final visit was to Rakatu Wetlands on the Blackmount-Redcliff Rd. Again signage is an important part of the restoration work.
The open water areas created by the Waiau Trust about twenty years ago. Most of the Carex around the pond edges has developed naturally.
There are good walking tracks, along with a lookout and toilet, encouraging people to come and visit and learn more about the importance of wetland protection and creation.
Roger Hodson, the recently appointed Waiau Trust field officer, after Mark Sutton retired. From this point the Redcliffs Reserve can be seen in the background, the vision and creation of Mark's father, Roger Sutton, an early driving force in conservation in the 1970's.
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An extensive trapline exists over the project area, using a variety of traps, including the DOC 200's seen here.

Hollyford Conservation Trust

Great excitement for SIRCET supporters as weka are released back into Halfmoon Bay. 2005.

Halfmoon Bay Habitat Restoration Project

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