Dawn Chorus
Whitehead - Martin Sanders
Bulletin 89
ISSN 1171-8595
May 2012
Volunteer Opportunities - Page 4
How to Catch a Duck - Page 5
Photo Competition Results - Pages 5, 8 and 9
The Big Picture: Cape Sanctuary - Page 10
Makaka - Leafless Broom - Page 14
Information
Upcoming Events 2012
School Visits
Supporters of
Tiritiri Matangi
Dawn Chorus is the quarterly
newsletter of the Supporters of Tiritiri
Matangi (SoTM). We are a volunteer
incorporated society working closely
with the Department of Conservation
to make the most of the wonderful
conservation restoration project that is
Tiritiri Matangi. Every year volunteers
put thousands of hours into the project
and raise funds through membership,
guiding and also through our islandbased gift shop.
For further information, visit
www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz
Getting to Tiritiri Matangi
21 - 22 July
Schools wishing to visit Tiritiri Matangi
should first visit our website:
Hosted Supporters’ Weekend
www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/
schoolvisits.htm
8 - 9 September
Advance bookings are essential
AGM
Labour Working Weekend
10 December
www.doc.govt.nz/tiritiribunkhouse
Phone 0800 360 347
or visit
www.360discovery.co.nz
Volunteers who are undertaking official
SoTM work can obtain accommodation
at no charge but this must be booked
through the Guiding and Shop Manager
(contact details below).
Weather Cancellations: Please call
0800 FANTAIL (0800 326 824) after
7.00 AM on the day to confirm if vessel
is running.
SoTM members who wish to visit in a
private capacity can get a discounted
rate by booking through the Warkworth
Area Office 09 425 7812.
SoTM Committee
Alison Bray
Roger Bray
Hester Cooper
Mike Dye
Carl Hayson
20 - 22 October
For information on booking overnight
visits, go to:
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL!
Committee
(see page 6 for details)
Although camping is not permitted on
the Island, there is limited bunkhouse
accommodation available.
Bookings can also be made by phoning
the Warkworth Area Office on 09 425
7812, although an additional booking
fee will apply.
Peter Lee
Trish Wells
Kevin Vaughan
10 September
Overnight Visits
360 Discovery operates daily services
every Wednesday through Sunday
from Downtown Auckland and Gulf
Harbour Marina.
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Hosted Supporters' Weekend
Kay Milton
Andrew Nelson
John Stewart
Ray Walter
Contacts
Tiri Talk: Kevin Parker
(Greg’s birthday and end of year 'do').
Bookings for blue events can only
be made with the Guiding and
Shop Manager
(contact details below)
360 Discovery kindly offers a discount
to SoTM members for special weekends
and events, and complimentary fares
for working weekends.
The opinions of contributors
expressed in Dawn Chorus do not
necessarily represent the views of the
Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Inc.
Unless otherwise indicated, photos in
Dawn Chorus articles are attributed to
the author.
Phone
Email
Chairperson
Peter Lee
418 1332
[email protected]
Secretary
Trish Wells
578 1011
[email protected]
Guiding and Shop
Mary-Ann Rowland
476 0010
[email protected]
Membership
Zhea Warden
940 6739
[email protected]
Dawn Chorus Editor
Simon Fordham
274 1828
[email protected]
Island Rangers
Dave Jenkins and Jess Clark
476 0920
[email protected]
2
Dawn Chorus 89 May 2012
From the Chair
Peter Lee
Where to for the Supporters?
As a group, we are 24 years old this October. By
conservation volunteer group standards, that makes us
positively elderly. The treeplanting is done, most of the
original planned translocations are a success. We could be
forgiven for thinking life will carry on as it is.
But changes are in the air – changes which present the
Supporters with both a challenge and an opportunity.
DOC is updating its Conservation Management Strategy
(CMS) for the Auckland region. The CMS sets out the
objectives, principles and policies that govern the
conservation estate, and the changes DOC is proposing
present the most significant change in our external
environment in over two decades. We are all aware of the
increasing fiscal pressures on DOC by a government keen
to cut costs and increase revenues. Now we are seeing
what this could actually mean for the Tiritiri Matangi
project.
DOC is proposing significant changes in everything from
daily guiding limits, to overnight numbers, to helicopter
landings. Why? Because there is a demand, and the Tiritiri
‘brand’ is such that people want to go there. DOC expect
many will pay handsomely for the privilege.
Erratum
In the last Dawn Chorus, it was incorrectly stated that
the new mower, purchased by SoTM, cost $39,000. The
correct figure is $19,000.
Photo: Simon Fordham
Some change is inevitable. But ourr job
is to work as hard as possible to see
e that
appropriate limits are set and/or maintained,
intained,
so that the special characteristics of this magical
place are not lost. We have already given feedback and
will continue to do so. Along the way, we’ll also keep you,
our members, informed.
What we are increasingly aware of is that the very model
of the Supporters may have to change. We have probably
reached the limits of what we can do as an almost
entirely volunteer-based organisation. The issues and
requirements on a daily and weekly basis are significantly
more than they were even ten years ago. So we are going
to take a good, hard look at what we can do, what we
need to do more of – and, probably, what we will step
back from, given the likely new environment. Do we take
a leap forward with more responsibilities? Do we need
to employ more staff? Do we set up a trust to take care
of the financial side of things? Do we start providing
and managing accommodation – or not? Or do we focus
on our 'core competencies', the loyalty and power and
commitment and knowledge of our volunteers? The
committee and subcommittees will have much to consider
over the coming months!
Call for Nominations
Nominations are sought for Chairperson,
Secretary, Treasurer and up to nine Committee
members, to be elected at the AGM in September
2012.
Chairperson, Peter Lee, and Secretary, Trish
Wells, have already indicated that they are not
available for re-election.
If you are keen to become further involved in the
management of our outstanding organization, do
consider a role on the Committee. Meetings are
held every six weeks at a central location.
Nominations (including nominator and seconder)
must be received in writing by the Secretary, on
or before 31 July 2012.
PO Box 90 814, Victoria Street West 1142
or [email protected]
Volunteer, Brian Chandler, mowing the fire-break on the
recent Easter Working Weekend
www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz
Please include a brief resume for inclusion in the
August Dawn Chorus.
3
Volunteer Opportunities on Tiritiri Matangi
Sue Cameron, Volunteer Coordinator, Warkworth Great Barrier Area Office
When asked, 'What was the best thing about the volunteer project?' on a feedback form,
volunteers have responded:
'The people, the Island, the birds. The rangers were so welcoming and inclusive that you
really feel like you were part of the Tiri community.'
'I was involved in lots of different kinds of work, so I learnt a lot.'
'Being able to be part of what’s happening, not just observing.'
These comments come from some of this year’s DOC
volunteers who spent seven days / six nights assisting the
rangers with a variety of tasks. As the volunteer coordinator
for the Warkworth Great Barrier Area Office, I have the job
of sourcing volunteers for the Department of Conservation’s
volunteer programme each week on Tiritiri Matangi.
Photo: self-portrait, Kelly
Weekly volunteers have a set schedule of jobs that include
cleaning the Island’s Visitor Centre, joining the ranger for the
morning bird round, cleaning and refilling the wildlife water
troughs, making up the sugar water mix for the bird feeders
and accompanying the ranger on the sugar water round
each day (non-peak season). Additional tasks are outlined
by the rangers as required each week and are conditional on
volunteers’ skills and fitness levels.
DOC volunteers are given complimentary transport on board
the ferry, courtesy of 360 Discovery; their accommodation
in the bunkhouse is also free, but they are responsible for
their own food, drinks and snacks. A gear list is provided to
those who are offered placements, to give an idea of what
you need in terms of work clothes, sleeping gear, etc.
Volunteer Kelly mixing sugar water
Volunteers are asked to contribute six hours of work each day
on the Island, and, preferably, have a medium fitness level
so they are able to carry out their allotted tasks efficiently
and safely.
Toward the end of the year another opportunity begins,
where volunteers are able to assist with monitoring the hihi
breeding season. These volunteers are asked to commit to at
least three stints of four days (Sunday to Wednesday), over
September to February, to assist the hihi contractor with the
increased demand for sugar water and the cleaning required
to maintain hygiene around the feeding stations, as well as
nest box maintenance and research observations. These
opportunities are valued by conservation / environmental
students wishing to gain field experience.
I would be especially pleased to hear from any members of
the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, and their networks, who
would like more information about these opportunities.
You can contact Sue on 09 425 0978 or email:
[email protected]
Photo:
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Alternatively, call in to the Warkworth DOC office for a chat.
Photo: Kenya Calder
Volunteers Kelly and Donovan restocking feeder
4
You can also browse more volunteer opportunities on other
islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and other sites in the
Auckland DOC region at:
www.doc.govt.nz/aucklandvolunteers
Dawn Chorus 89 May 2012
How to catch a duck... or twenty...
Tui
(with assistance from Jenny Rickett)
'Everyone needs a cause, even if it is only bloody ducks.' Sir Peter Scott
Hi, my name is Tui. I am a 26-year-old (well, in dog years
- my owners still think I’m a two-and-a-half-year-old baby)
German short-haired pointer (with a touch of black labrador).
I swing to the pointer, obsessed with birds rather than food,
which my owners are rather pleased about, as they are
obsessed with birds too. I work as a ranger for the DOC
Kauri Coast office. My main skill is searching out pateke, but
I am training to find kiwi too. Other times I keep my master
company as he traps our local bush, showing him where the
goats are.
In November I was very lucky to be invited to Tiri – I hear
only the elite in my profession get to work there. Luckily I
could take my owners too; they love Tiri’s birdlife and really
needed a holiday.
To my delight Tiri had a great pateke breeding season this
year, which meant there was work to be done. My owners
explained that we needed to catch all the juveniles so that
we could give them individual ID bands as well as colour
combinations, so that when the juveniles leave their
brood ponds and fly away to new territories we would
know they came from Tiri. We also wanted to band the
adults on the Island so the volunteers and rangers would
know who was who.
were hiding. He then reached in to pick up the birds.
Once we had caught and banded 20 pateke (six adults and 14
juveniles) we went to search the remainder of the wet spots
on the Island. I thoroughly enjoyed sniffing around these
areas looking for ducks. Although at times the temptation
to follow the scent of kakariki or kiwi was tough to ignore,
I know when I wear my DOC jacket I must behave and
respect the honour of being allowed to work in such special
places. We didn’t find any other birds, so we believe the Tiri
population currently stands at 10 adults (five pairs) and the
14 juveniles.
A big thank-you to my duck-catching team-mates Jen and
James, the Tiri supporters and ranger-Dave for having us
visit the Island – but one last thing, Dave, there was this
pesky bird, looked like an overweight pukeko, tried to steal
my breakfast one morning. I had to growl at it and it still
wasn’t perturbed! 'Cheesecake', I think my mistress called
it – keep an eye on that one.
My mistress had built some funnel traps which, when
baited with bread, entire families would go into to feed.
Once caught in this trap they couldn’t find their way back
out and we could band them one by one.
A couple of the birds were not so keen on the bread and
traps, and at one pond we could not see any birds, but I
knew they were hiding up on the bank and showed my
owners where they were. My owners caught some of
these birds by gently herding them into mist-nets strung
across the water. Others I helped to round up, using my
sensitive nose to indicate to my master where the ducks
2012 Photo Competition Results
Fauna:
1st Martin Sanders – Saddleback Duet
2nd Toya Heatley – Singing Bellbird
3rd Simon Fordham – Tuatara
People:
1st Simon Fordham – Chris Green
2nd Helen Bucksey – Wetapunga Release
3rd Martin Sanders – Rat Autopsy
Flora:
1st Steve Pearson – Cabbage Tree
2nd Steffan Friedrich – Cabbage Tree Flowers
3rd Martin Sanders – New Zealand Gloxinia
Under 16:
Oxana Repina – North Island Robin
Landscape:
1st Brendon Doran – Tiri Night Sky
2nd Edward Duncan – Bunkhouse at Night
3rd Darren Wolley – Fishermans Bay
www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz
Winning entries may be viewed on pages
8 and 9. A number of these images will
be included in the 2013 Tiritiri Matangi
calendar. Thank you to Geoff Beals for
judging the many entries.
5
Here Be Greg
Harry Duncan
The following speech, a story on a well-known personality, was written by Harry Duncan
for his Year 9 class at Mt Albert Grammar School. Harry also presented this speech to the
Tiri Guides' end of year function at Unitec.
Staying low to the ground, he begins to hurry forward
through the cover of the bush. Ahead of him he sees his
target – his loot. He breaks into a run. Now out in the open,
he sprints into battle. Jumping, he forcefully seizes his prize.
Victory! – as he dashes out of sight.
The story I have just told you is one of the legendary exploits
of a vicious, terrorizing thief and highway man, that has
developed a taste for other people’s pic-a-nics. And no, he
is not Yogi Bear. This daring outlaw is wanted for robberyunder-wings.
Greg the takahe is a known endangered resident of Tiritiri
Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf. He is partially endangered
because the blue and green birds were nearly hunted to
extinction earlier last century, but also because of his strange
behaviour and liking for things that he does not have. This
story is about Greg engaging in a day-to-day activity: him
stealing an unfortunate day-tripper to the Island’s lunch,
instead of eating takahe feed and tussock.
the gravel road the enormous vehicle bears down upon him.
And shudders to a halt. He squawks. A human he has so
often exploited gets out, sprinkling the glossy golden pellets
in front of Greg. Greg squawks as the vehicle starts up and
moves on. Greg has had a very productive meal from this
highway stick-up.
But how does he do this? How does Greg milk us? The
rangers and regular visitors respect him, knowing his power.
What is everyone’s mistake?
Greg runs as fast as his legs will take him through the
bush. The American tourists have been warned of Greg, so
have set their picnic up in a circle of chairs. Greg dashes
through the legs of the chairs and people to relieve them
of their lunch. 'We have grossly underestimated Greg the
takahe,' they comment, as he runs into the distance. That’s
everyone’s mistake. 'He is only a bird'. Our arrogance can’t
comprehend Greg being smart.
Some say it is Greg’s thirst for danger that gets him into
trouble, but it is actually his sixth sense. Greg’s sixth sense
has been developed over the years. Something in his brain
goes 'Ding! Greg! There is food nearby, yummy food, other
people’s food, SQUAWK' and Greg will run off. As he runs off,
Greg has no idea that he is one of only approximately 230
takahe left in the world.
So, ladies and gentleman, to conclude, Greg is a quirky and
strange bird (those traits don’t mean he is related to me of
course). He has adapted to like other people’s pic-a-nics.
All of the stories I have told you are how Greg gets his
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Greg is not 'just a bird', that’s
everyone’ s mistake. He has the same intelligence as some
people coming to his Island. He has outsmarted many
people, and using his endangered status he has managed to
extort tonnes of food from the rangers.
The roar of the vehicle gets louder as Greg runs through the
bush towards it, armed with his endangered status. Out on
So when you go to Tiritiri, zip up your bags, keep your lunch
in your sight, and beware: HERE BE GREG
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the
Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi will be held as follows:
7.30pm Monday 10th September 2012
Kohia Teachers’ Centre, 74 Epsom Ave, Epsom
At this meeting, the following items of business will be included:
Welcome, Apologies ................. Peter Lee
Minutes of Previous AGM ......... Trish Wells
Chairperson’s Report ............... Peter Lee
Financial Report ....................... Kevin Vaughan
Election of Officers ................... (see next bulletin for details of candidates)
General Business
Further details will be included in the August bulletin
6
Dawn Chorus 89 May 2012
fauna
notes
Although the breeding season has now finished, there is
still much activity as young birds endeavour to establish
territories.
Takahe
To help monitor takahe, feeding
hoppers are being trialled with family
groups. They will be portable so that
the ground where the birds feed does
not become soiled, which could create
a disease risk. During the trial period
Jess reported the following behaviour
from each group:
Cheesecake group: Cheesecake was
first, with no hesitation about using the
hopper. Wal took only seconds to follow
suit. Te Mingi and chick took no notice
of the hopper and kept searching the
ground for pellets. By the third time, all
were taking pellets out of it.
Kokako
This year’s chicks, Miharo, Flieder and
Sarang, are all males, so we now have
sixteen males, nine females and one
unknown.
Stitchbird / Hihi
Due to the recent emergence
of Salmonella, it was decided to
postpone the translocation of birds
to Bushy Park. A team of people,
including representatives of Auckland
Zoo, Massey University, DOC, SoTM
and ZSL, has been monitoring and
researching this outbreak to attempt
to understand this disease emergence.
On 10 April Jess removed Greg’s
transmitter as it had been flipping over,
causing rubbing on his left wing. Greg
has been enjoying time back up at the
Visitor Centre, checking out possible
food opportunities when the visitors
are around. Every now and then Te
Mingi, Cheesecake and family stride
through and poor old Greg high-tails it
down to the implement shed until the
coast is clear again!
All three takahe chicks are male and
have now been banded. Blackwatch
and Mahuika’s chick has been named
Beacon (a shining light / lighthouse
which seems appropriate as he
hatched in this area). As Te Mingi and
Cheesecake spend a lot of time around
Jess’s house, their chick has been
named Westy (Jess hails from West
Auckland). Mungo and Edge’s chick is
Ariki, which means chief.
www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz
Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands are
doing well. Cheridan Mathers reports
that, on Rangitoto, seven known pairs
fledged 18 chicks and, on Motutapu,
seven known pairs fledged 19 chicks.
Other Birds
During March, a long-tailed cuckoo
was seen on Ridge Road and a shining
cuckoo by the Wharf Road. Shining
cuckoo are known to breed on the
Island but, to date, there is no evidence
of long-tailed cuckoo breeding.
Photo: Martin Sanders
Mahuika group: These guys
refused to take pellets out of the
hopper, and kept searching the
ground. Blackwatch showed the
most interest, actually looking
into the hopper but not taking
any pellets. Since then the pellets
are going each day, but we have
yet to see who is eating them,
takahe or pukeko!
Ahikaea group: Raumati was very
curious and it didn't take her long
to dig into the pellets. Soon all
three were happily eating out of
the hopper. Raumati is the most
bold and curious out of this family
group.
compiled by Morag Fordham
Very early, on the morning of
3 May, a single kaka was seen
flying around the Island.
On the same day, at least 30
to 40 tui were seen perched
on the tops of the gum trees
above the bunkhouse. There was
another large flock flying above
Little Wattle Valley, calling and
swooping. At one point those in
the gum trees all took off together
to join this flock.
Shining cuckoo by Wharf Road in March
Birds translocated to Maungatautari
in past years are doing well. Kate
Richardson reports that in 2010/11 a
minimum of 42 adults (18 females and
24 males) were identified breeding. In
2011/12 a minimum of 71 adults (25
females and 46 males) were identified
as breeding. There appear to be fewer
juveniles fledged this season than last,
but this may be due to either the cold,
wet spring or the high level of male
harassment at nests which led to a
number of early nests failing.
Whitehead
In early May, 97 whitehead were
translocated to Ark in the Park
(Waitakere Ranges) as part of an
ongoing project to repopulate this
area.
Saddleback / Tieke
Although we appear to have had fewer
chicks this season, the birds moved to
Argentine Ants
At the end of March, when Chris
Green did his survey, he reported
that for the first time he didn’t
find any ants. This is great news, but
he cautions that it is just the first year
of a required two or three ant-free
seasons before he can officially say
that they have been eradicated. Last
year Chris tested an improved method
of treatment and it looks to be working.
Other Fauna
On 29 April a family of orca came in to
the Wharf as the ferry arrived, while
the rest of the pod swam by. Orca love
to feed on eagle rays and, later on that
day, 26 rays were counted near Hobbs
Beach and a further 10 or more were
seen in the Wharf area, along with a
50cm octopus.
In March, a dead rat was found on
the beach at Fishermans Bay. After an
autopsy, which included an analysis of
stomach contents, as well as inspection
of nearby rodent monitoring stations, it
was determined that, in all likelihood,
it was already dead when it washed up
on the beach.
7
3rd Flora: Martin Sanders
2nd People: Helen Bucksey
3rd Landscape: Darren Wolley
1st Fauna: Martin Sanders
2012
For the third consec
elusive shot for the
were judged by PS
can be seen here. F
2nd Fauna: Toya Heatley
2nd Flora: Steffan Friedrich
2nd Landscape: Edward Duncan
8
Dawn Chorus 89 May 2012
1st Under 16: Oxana Repina
3rd People: Martin Sanders
1st Flora: Steve Pearson
Photo Competition
cutive summer, visitors to the Island set out to capture that
e 2012 Tiri photographic competition. The many entries
SNZ Accredited Judge Geoff Beals and the winning entries
Full results are listed on page 5.
1st People: Simon Fordham
1st Landscape: Brendon Doran
3rd Fauna: Simon Fordham
www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz
9
THE BIG PICTURE
One of the most exciting things in
conservation today is the sheer number
of emerging volunteer projects, both local and nationwide, many having been inspired
by what has happened on Tiri. Each serves as a reminder that, whilst our project is a
leader in many ways, we are but one piece of the jigsaw that forms the Big Picture of
conservation in New Zealand.
Cape Kidnappers is well known for its gannet colony. However, a private initiative is
restoring the habitat on the peninsula and reintroducing many native species.
Cape Sanctuary: Hawkes Bay
Tamsin Ward-Smith
Cape Sanctuary is the largest privately owned and funded wildlife restoration project of its
kind in New Zealand. The sanctuary is situated on the Cape Kidnappers peninsula, owned
by Julian Robertson and the Hansen and Lowe families.
The landowners share a vision to restore the coastal
communities of land birds, sea birds, reptiles and
invertebrates that would once have existed on the Cape
Kidnappers peninsula. It is a vision which extends more than
50 years, beyond their lifetimes.
Andy Lowe, a landowner on the southern side of the
peninsula, dreamed up the idea almost 12 years ago. He
realised that fencing the neck of the peninsula would enable
a large amount of land to be protected by a relatively short
amount of fence. Although predators could still invade
around the coast, potentially huge conservation gains could
be achieved through a boundary fence in combination with
a comprehensive predator-control programme. In the early
stages many thought the idea not only crazy, but hugely
ambitious and challenging; restoration would have
to begin almost from scratch on a blank canvas.
Decades of land clearance and farming have
denuded most of the land of native vegetation,
with only the odd remnant black maire, totara
and kahikatea telling of a once much different
landscape. Coastal vegetation clings to some of
the steeper inaccessible cliff edges. Fossil remains
in sand depressions in the hind dunes of Ocean
Beach also tell of the animals that would once have
roamed over the peninsula, many species which
are now extinct, such as coastal moa, merganser,
New Zealand raven, and extant species such as
pateke, tieke, various seabird species, lizards and
tuatara, lost from the area many years before.
fence took almost a year to build and was completed in
early 2007. Mesh commonly used for NZ predator fences
performed poorly in trials in the harsh, salty conditions of
Ocean Beach and this motivated the landowners to develop
their own more durable mesh made from double galvanised
long-life wire. The wire is woven into a ‘chainmail’ and has
an aperture that excludes all but the smallest of mice. A
few other adaptations such as the close (1.5 metre) spacing
of posts and vertical hanging mesh have all helped provide
strength and ease of maintenance.
An intensive predator-control programme operates
continuously to 'mop-up' any pests that can sneak around
the fence ends from time to time. Two people are involved
24/7 servicing over 1,200 traps for mustelids (stoats, ferrets
The initiative is unique in that it is the first
time large-scale wildlife conservation has been
undertaken in a highly modified farming and
multi-use landscape. If successful, the project will
be a leading model for conservation restoration,
achieving
nationally
significant
species
conservation gains without compromising the
existing land use.
In 2006, construction began on a 10.6km
predator-proof fence stretching across the
neck of the peninsula from coast to coast. The
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Tuatara were released in March 2012
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and weasels) and 2,500 bait stations for rodents
(rats and mice). A regular volunteer army also
assists on a regular basis. Rat tracking indices
have declined from 30% in 2006 to an average
of below 5% for the last three years. Ferret, stoat
and weasel captures are low (only 17, 49 and 99
animals respectively have been caught since the
project began). Possums and hedgehogs have
almost been eradicated from the peninsula, but
feral cats still pose a problem, with over 750
caught since 2007. Rabbits are also a problem,
with the peninsula ranking as one of the worst
rabbit-prone areas in Hawkes Bay.
Barry
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The 2,500 hectares behind the fence are a mosaic
of grazed farmland, pine forest, regenerating
native forest and coastal cliffs, dune systems,
a world famous gannet colony (the largest in
the southern hemisphere), a world famous
international golf course, and even a luxury lodge.
Reintroductions began in 2007 with the transfer
of locally common forest birds such as tomtit,
whitehead, rifleman and robin. With the exception
of tomtit, none of the species is likely to have been
present on the peninsula for at least 50 years.
Robin, tomtit and whitehead were sourced from
Maungataniwha Pine Forest, a 6,500ha block, two
hours drive to the north and owned by Simon
Hall. These species are now breeding successfully
within the sanctuary and, much to everyone’s
surprise, have preferred to establish in the pine
forested areas rather than the regenerating native
areas where they were initially released.
In 2008 the first North Island brown kiwi were
released at the sanctuary. The majority of
these have been sourced from Simon Hall’s
Maungataniwha Native Forest block (6,500
ha) as BNZ Operation Nest Egg eggs or chicks.
Kiwi Encounter in Rotorua has raised the young
chicks to around 800g, at which point they can
be released back to the wild. Half of the chicks
produced (and there have now been over 100, the 100th
having been released in February by Rachel Hunter)
have been released at the sanctuary and half returned to
Maungataniwha to boost the wild population. The target of
60 founders for Cape Sanctuary was reached in 2011 with
kiwi also sourced from the Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges, and
some from captive facilities. Despite very dry summers, the
growth rates of young kiwi have been good, and comparable
to growth rates at other wild areas such as Waikaremoana.
The first breeding attempts were detected this season. In
time the sanctuary will be one of the largest secure sites for
North Island brown kiwi, capable of supporting 400+ pairs.
For the last two years the sanctuary has also crèched kiwi
chicks for other projects. This season, 40 young (2-3-weekold) chicks, weighing only 300g, have spent their first three
months growing at the sanctuary before being returned to
the wild to projects as far afield as Whirinaki. Little spotted
kiwi are also planned to be released in the near future.
Pateke / brown teal releases began in 2008. Pateke are NZ’s
rarest waterfowl, numbering only 2000 or so in the wild.
www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz
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Crop tube feeding a common diving petrel chick
There were initially some doubts as to how well pateke would
fare in the dry Cape environment during summer. Following
a trial release of 40 in May 2008 there has now been a total
of 250 captive-bred individuals released at the sanctuary.
Survival of releases in the first two years was 60%, which
was higher than that achieved at other monitored sites.
Breeding occurred in the first season, and in both 2010 and
2011 seasons over 80 chicks survived to adult size. The
sanctuary is now likely to be close to capacity.
Restoring seabird colonies to the peninsula has become
a big focus over the last few years. With 17km of coastal
perimeter, the sanctuary offers enormous potential to restore
breeding colonies of a number of species. The dark, loamy
soils on the cliff-tops indicate that the area would once
have been home to thousands and thousands of burrowing
sea birds. Seabirds are the missing fertilisers from many
mainland restoration systems; they feed at sea and return
to the land to deposit nutrients in the form of faeces, dead
bodies, eggs, and vomit, and so would once have provided
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the nutrient-rich environment that invertebrates, reptiles
and plants thrive in. Seabirds tend to return to the place
they fledge from, so encouraging them to return to breed
at sites that have become safe, such as the Cape Sanctuary,
is not that easy. Techniques to establish new colonies have
involved transferring chicks from their natal burrows before
they have emerged and hand-raising them at the new site.
In 2008 we began a six-year programme to transfer and
hand-raise grey-faced petrel chicks collected from Moutohora
Island, off the coast from Whakatane; 276 chicks have now
been transferred to artificial burrows at the sanctuary. The
chicks have been carefully fed a sardine 'smoothie', using
a crop tube, until they fledge and begin their journey to
maturity out at sea. At five to seven years of age they
are expected to return to the sanctuary to prospect and
eventually breed. We are expecting prospectors shortly.
Similar programmes have also been established for the
endangered Cook’s petrel and common diving petrel. We
have just completed the third year of Cook’s petrel chick
transfers from Hauturu / Little Barrier Island and the first year
of diving petrel chick transfers from Motumahanga Island,
in the Sugar Loaf Group off the coast of New Plymouth.
Feeding trials to test techniques to hand-raise white-faced
storm petrel (weighing a tiny 45g) and mottled petrel are also
underway in preparation for chick translocation programmes
beginning in 2013. A speaker system installed on the cliff
edge that plays the calls of a range of species is also hoped
to entice passers-by to investigate. The aim is to have a
year-round presence of breeding seabirds on the headland
of the peninsula.
Little penguins are fairly numerous in Hawkes Bay. However,
in 2006 the peninsula had very little protective habitat for
roosting and nesting. Over 200 penguin boxes have been
dug in along the coastline. It took a few years for the
penguins to find their new accommodation, but there are
now 40 of the boxes being used regularly and many last
season contained eggs and chicks.
On 30th March 2012, 20 tuatara were collected from Nga
Tiri Talks
Originally intended for guide training purposes,
these informative evenings have been renamed
‘Tiri Talks’ and all SoTM members are now
welcome to attend.
• December 10th: Dr Kevin Parker
Further details will be included in the August
bulletin.
(Please note that the previously
advertised talk on 30 July has been
cancelled as it is now a guide training
evening.)
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Manu Wildlife Reserve in Waikanae and escorted to Cape
Sanctuary by Ngati Koata, sanctuary landowners and staff,
for the first release onto the peninsula. The tuatara originated
from Takapourewa (Stephens Island) in the Marlborough
Sounds, where they were collected as eggs. The eggs were
incubated and hatched at Victoria University, Wellington, and
the young taken to Nga Manu for rearing when they were
about a year old. The tuatara that have been released are
approximately five years old. Other releases of older animals
are planned for the near future. The day was a huge success
despite the rain and was celebrated by many people.
Tuatara jaw bones dated at approximately 600 years old have
been found in the midden sites at Ocean Beach. Anecdotal
reports also suggest that tuatara may still have roamed the
Ocean Beach dunes and Karamu Stream areas as recently as
the early 1930s, although the source is still to be confirmed.
Most evidence suggests that tuatara have not survived on
mainland New Zealand for at least 200 years.
Variable oystercatchers are now breeding successfully in the
sanctuary, along with the rare New Zealand dotterel. In 2006,
only one pair of dotterels was known along the sanctuary
coastline and, despite sometimes producing chicks, none
were ever recorded to have fledged successfully. 18+ chicks
were produced in the 2010 breeding season and nine pairs
now have territories established next door to each other
stretching from Rangaiika Beach south to Ocean Beach.
Volunteers continue to play a huge part in this project, with
over 600 on the database and close to 50+ active monthly
with regular chores. The Department of Conservation and
local Iwi have also been very supportive of the efforts of
the landowners. The achievements thus far would not have
happened without the support of so many people.
If you would like more information or to become involved
as a volunteer please contact Tamsin on 027 2273 543 or
email:
[email protected]
SoTM Members
Winter Special
From 1 June to 31 August, 360 Discovery
are kindly offering discounted fares for SoTM
members.
Auckland $38 (adult) / $20 (child)
Gulf Harbour $22 (adult) / $14 (child)
Bookings to be made directly with 360 Discovery
Phone 0800 360 347
(online bookings are unavailable
for this promotion)
Dawn Chorus 89 May 2012
A cool and wet autumn has kept the forest
on Tiritiri Matangi looking fresh and green.
Fruit is maturing on many trees, and buds
are bursting on some of the early winter
flowering species.
has fruit
Kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabile)
ripening, with the brown capsules splitting open to
expose a red, fleshy aril around the seeds. Birds
are active in the canopy, visiting to feed, especially
hihi, tui and kokako.
Karo
(Pittosporum
crassifolium) has ripe
green capsules wide
open, allowing birds
access to sticky black
seeds.
flora
notes
compiled by Warren Brewer
Pate (Schefflera digitata), puka (Meryta sinclairii)
and houpara (Pseudopanax lessonii), all members
of the ivy family, also have fruit maturing.
Photo: Simon Fordham
Unripe puka fruit
Five-finger (Pseudopanax arboreus) is decorated
with tight flower buds. It is one of our winter
flowering trees and will provide a valuable nectar
source during the cooler weeks to come.
Mature kohekohe fruit
Photo: Simon Fordham
Photo: Simon Fordham
Ripe five-finger fruit can be expected in Spring
Brush wattle (Paraserianthes lophanatha) has
already begun to flower. A tolerated exotic, its
yellow 'bottlebrush-like' blossoms provide a
sustained nectar supply for our honeyeaters over
winter.
Open karo seed capsule
www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz
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Makaka - Leafless Broom
Warren Brewer
Makaka (Carmichaelia australis) contrasts starkly with the other trees on Tiritiri Matangi.
Its flattened green branches and stems function as leaf-substitutes.
These leaf-substitutes are described as cladodes, an
adaptation seen in desert plants such as cactus, which
enables them to flourish in arid conditions. Cladodes lose
less moisture through having fewer pores. Makaka does
have leaves in its seedling phase and some young plants
growing in shade have small leaves composed of three to
five tiny leaflets.
Makaka seed pods
Highlanders. Carmichael had a strong interest in botany,
beginning during his childhood in Scotland. His army career
enabled him to travel widely and he botanised in South
Africa, India and New Zealand.
Leaves and cladodes of shaded, young makaka plant
Makaka grows as a shrub or small tree and is widespread
in the North Island. It also occurs throughout most of the
South Island. In mid-November delicate white flowers
appear. They are flecked with purple veins, giving them
a pale lilac hue. In mid-December small, green pods with
pointed tips form. As the pods mature and ripen they darken
to a blackish shade and their sides fall away to expose small
reddish-orange seeds.
The genus is named after Captain Dugald Carmichael (1772
– 1827), a Scottish army officer. He had studied medicine in
Edinburgh and began his army life as a surgeon in the 72nd
Makaka cladodes and exposed seeds
The genus Carmichaelia displays great diversity as its
species range from prostrate forms, a few centimetres high,
to trees. There are 24 species in the genus, all endemic to
New Zealand except for one species on Lord Howe Island,
Carmichaelia exsul (exsul is Latin for exile).
Carmichaelia belongs in the legume family, Fabaceae.
I value my garden more for being full of
blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly
give them fruit for their songs.
Joseph Addison, essayist and poet (1672-1719)
Makaka flowers
14
Dawn Chorus 89 May 2012
Hand this to your kids – or pass it on
to someone else’s kids – to enjoy a
range of activities about Tiritiri
Matangi Island.
Hey everyone!
An important part of an animal’s life is finding food. We can draw a picture of all the animals,
plants, and other organisms in an environment or habitat, and draw arrows to show what eats what.
The arrows go from the thing that gets eaten, to the thing eating it, and show the flow of energy.
This is called a food web. Below is a simple one to get you started.
Have fun! Jo
FOOD WEB ACTIVITIES:
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Luggage Tags
Tiri Shop
for all the lucky winter
escapees
Hand-printed
Cloth Coin Purses
made in NZ
Coin Purses
→
$11
Glass Coasters
made in NZ
$10.50
$9
Passport Holders
Paua Zip-up Tote Bag
$29 (pack 4)
You can pay by credit card or cheque
either ring or email your order
$15
[email protected]
09 476 0010
$16
Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Inc. PO Box 90 814, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142
Dawn Chorus