Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Southland Ecological Restoration Network

A Network of Southland Community Conservation Projects

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Project

November • Rances, Bushy Point

Lower Upukerora Restoration

Location:
Te Anau
Region:
Fiordland
District:
SDC
Commenced:
2019
Access:
Public
Area (ha):
50
Contact:
George Ledgard
Phone:
027 536 6708
Website:
Visit website

Description

We are a small group of volunteers who service stoat and rat traps to protect and enhance the lower Upukerora river. This is a special area and is home to banded dotterels, black-billed gulls, pied stilts, black-fronted terns, and South Island pied oystercatchers. The project is on LINZ, ES and DOC land.

Historic involvement

Meridian Power Up Community Fund

Current involvement

Lower Upukerora Restoration Group (LURG).

2022 October. A visiting wrybill. Credit: Anja Kohler
Meridian staff at the mouth of the river after a working bee checking traps.
Predator control is one of the main focuses of the group. Regular maintenance of the traps ensures better results.
The Upukerora River bed is an important nesting site for several species of our native birds. Removal of lupins makes the area safer for the birds as it's not so easy for predators to sneak up on them.
One of the reasons for the hard work going in to protecting this river bed - a banded dotterel female incubating eggs. Credit: Anja Kohler
A pair of black fronted terns with chick. Credit: Anja Kohler
Pied stilt fledglings, successfully reared on the river bed, thanks to the trapping efforts by LURG. Credit: Anja Kohler
A South Island Pied Oyster Catcher chick, well camouflaged in it's environment. Credit: Anja Kohler
Rocks placed around the car park to discourage bikes and 4wd vehicles from travelling on to the nesting areas. There are also signs explaining why this area is so special and the need to protect it in this way.
Banded dotterels are endemic to NZ. After breeding season, they migrate to different locations, some fly as far as, and overwinter in, Victoria, Australia. That's where this male banded dotterel was flagged. Credit: Anja Kohler
2022 July. The Lower Upukerora Restoration Group had their work complemented by the Fiordland Trails Trust, through the replanting of the area near the road, thanks to the Jobs for Nature funding.
2022 July. This area adjoining the cycleway/walking track was previously exotic trees. Contractors have now replaced these with 2,000+ native trees.
2022 October. Another breeding season underway at the Lower Upukerora. There are more than 15 banded dotterel nests being observed. Credit: Anja Kohler
2022, 11th November. A breeding success as this fledgling banded dotterel gets to trying out his wings. Credit: Anja Kohler
November, 11th November. An unusual visitor - red necked stint. Credit: Anja Kohler
Project Directory

Other projects in Fiordland

  • Eglinton River Habitat
  • Fiordland Trails Trust weeding programme
  • Hollyford Conservation Trust
  • Manapouri Weed Busters
  • Pomona Island Restoration Project
  • The Valleys Project
  • Wairaurahiri Stoat Trapping Project

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Our Supporters

Invercargill City Council Environment Southland Department of Conservation Forest and Bird Southland Community Nursery
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