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Welcome to Behind the Scenes - DOC Fiordland's conservation newsletter
In this issue:
- What's on? Fiordland events happening soon
- Battle for our Birds 2016
- Super skink
- Safety and winter tramping
- Farewell picnic for Te Anau kākā released into the wild
- How talks turn to trapping on the Routeburn
- Pomona Island - a great local volunteering opportunity
- Got an exciting conservation project in need of funding?
What's on? Fiordland events
Volunteer Week - 19 - 25 June
Every year Department of Conservation celebrates Volunteer Week. Volunteers play a vital role in conservation in New Zealand. There are lots of ways you can get involved and this June we will be promoting some of the diverse opportunities here in Fiordland.
Breakfast with the birds
Resident birds, including kākā, ducks, takahē, and ruru at Te Anau's Wildlife Centre are given breakfast each morning. You are invited to come along for this great opportunity to meet some of New Zealand's rarest birds.
When: Everyday (including weekends) 10:30am - 11:30am
Where: Meet by the takahē enclosure at Punanga Manu o Te Anau (Te Anau Bird Sanctuary)
The latest in Fiordland conservation
Battle for our Birds 2016
Battle for our Birds 2016 will receive $20.7 million in new operating funding for 2016/17, to manage an expected pest population boom caused by a heavy forest seeding, or ‘mast’.
Last spring a significant beech tree flowering event was seen on the shores of Lake Te Anau, with clouds of beech pollen blown across the landscape. Further monitoring this autumn has confirmed a widespread beech seeding event is underway throughout Fiordland.
DOC has identified ten priority sites throughout Fiordland National Park where rare or endangered native species are under the greatest threat. Waitutu Forest, Kepler Mountains, Hollyford Valley, Mt Forbes peninsula, Grebe Valley, Eglinton Valley, Dusky Sound area, Clinton Valley, Cleddau area, Arthur Valley, including Sinbad Gully. These areas will be monitored closely, and may be included in the national ‘Battle for our Birds’ programme.
This national pest control programme is run by DOC to protect our most vulnerable native species. It uses biodegradable 1080 applied by air over large areas of rugged terrain to knock down rats, stoats and possums. “As rats increase due to the readily-available food source, so will the number of stoats which feed on rats,” Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says. “Once the seeds germinate and the food source disappears in early spring, the plague of millions of starving rats and tens of thousands of hungry stoats will turn on native wildlife, bringing disaster if we do nothing.”
Super skink
Good news after a recent monitoring trip to Chalky Island found the Chalky Island/Te Kakahu skink thriving. This skink is nationally critically endangered and found only on Chalky Island/ Te Kakahu O Tamatea in southwest Fiordland. Helping to monitor and fund the conservation work of keeping the skink habitat pest free, is the sustainable creative kiwi clothing company Chalky Digits and the Fiordland Conservation Trust.
Teresa Scott of Chalky Digits who accompanied a recent monitoring trip said: “it is an immense privilege to help protect one of New Zealand’s rare and very unique species. It’s very important to keep tabs on how these lizards are getting on, so we can ensure they stick around for the future”.
Safety and winter tramping
Winter is a great time to get out tramping, with snow and frosts turning our National Park into a winter wonderland. Stretching the legs and doing some exploring is a great way to conquer any winter blues.
Before you leave you need to be confident that you and your party have the necessary skills, fitness and equipment. Make sure your information is up to date on track, hut and weather conditions (see Fiordland Alerts page for local information). Always remember to leave your trip details (return date, time, planned route, party names and vehicle details) with a responsible person. Intention forms are available from Adventure Smart.
You need to be totally self-sufficient (food, plus some for emergencies, cooking gear, winter clothing and safety equipment). It is recommended for any party venturing into Fiordland National Park over the winter period to take a personal locator beacon or mountain radio.
River crossings and avalanches are two major considerations. Find out if your route traverses avalanche prone areas, or involves river crossings (be aware some tracks have bridges removed during winter so they are not damaged by flood or avalanche). Ensure you know how to safely assess and navigate these situations, and have a realistic plan B, for example an alternative route, or turning back.
The Outdoor Safety Code is a good starting point for preparing, and nothing beats talking to experienced and local information providers. Staff at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre are available every day 8:30-4:30pm over winter.
No matter what walk you are going on, your safety is your responsibility.
Farewell picnic for Te Anau kākā released into the wild
Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary has celebrated another generation of kākā winging their way to new homes in the wild. Locals and visitors to the sanctuary have enjoyed watching these chicks grow, and had an opportunity to say a beautiful and colourful farewell at the recent kākā picnic.
How talks turn to trapping on the Routeburn
Hut Ranger Evan Smith’s nightly hut talks at Lake Mackenzie Hut have gone a long way to help predator control on the Routeburn Track.
One man, one mission, one amazing milestone - Evan’s vision of “giving the birds that belong here a chance” is now becoming a reality.
Get involved
Pomona Island - a great local volunteer opportunity
The Pomona Island Charitable Trust is an active and welcoming local conservation trust, which last year reached the impressive 10 year milestone. Together with their volunteers, friends and supporters, the Trust work to remove pests from Pomona and Rona Islands, located on Lake Manapouri, and make these islands a haven for native species.
Recent projects include cutting 10 km of track to assist volunteers getting around the islands (funded by the DOC Community Fund), and working hard to control mice using combined bait and trap networks after re-invasions. Their hard work has paid off and five Haast tokoeka kiwi have been transferred from Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin to Rona Island.
They now focus on maintaining the islands as pest-free sanctuaries and introducing threatened and endangered bird species. More information on their projects and contact details can be found on their website or latest newsletter.
Got an exciting conservation project in need of funding?
Applications are now open for the DOC Community Fund. Set up in 2014, the fund helps inspire and enable community-led conservation projects around New Zealand.
“Recipients have ranged from groups helping fight the War on Weeds, outdoor clubs keeping huts in good shape to pest-trapping networks and wetland restoration aimed at creating habitats for our native animals” said Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.
Groups applying for funding will need to submit an expression of interest showing how their project fits with the purpose of the fund by 1 July. Following the assessment of expressions of interest successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application.
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PO Box 29 | Te Anau | 9640 | New Zealand