No Images? Click here Welcome to Behind the Scenes - DOC Fiordland's conservation newsletterIn this issue:
What's on? Fiordland events Discover the Alpine World Part of the Fiordland summer events programme: Explore the alpine world of Fiordland with botanist Brian Rance. Walk along the Mt Burns Tarns Track, enjoy the spectacular views and learn about the amazing plants found there. When: Sat 21 Jan 2017, 10:00am - 4:00pm Where: Mt Burns Tarns Track, Fiordland National Park Bookings essential, for more details see eventfinda Breakfast with the birds Resident birds, including kākā, kākāriki, ducks, takahē and ruru at Te Anau Bird Sanctuary 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) 9:30am - 10:30am Where: Meet by the takahē enclosure at Punanga Manu o Te Anau (Te Anau Bird Sanctuary) Milford Track memories Local Ray Willett will delight and enthuse with his tales of adventure and discovery on the Milford Track, which he first guided in the 1950s. Gold coin donation. When: 26 Jan, 16 Feb & 2 March, 7.30pm - 8.30pm Where: Te
Rua-o-te-moko / Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre Bookings essential Tamatea - Art and Conservation in Dusky Sound Take a break from your Christmas shopping to explore one of this country’s most precious, remote areas through the eyes of New Zealand artists. The exhibition features more than 50 original works by some of New Zealand’s most renowned artists and emerging talent. When: 17 December 2016 - 19 February 2017 Where: Southland Museum and Art Gallery, Invercargill For more information: doc.govt.nz/tamatea The latest in Fiordland conservation Takahē population boost for the Murchison Mountains "From a low of 118 birds in 1981, the future is looking bright for the takahē with these young birds joining their one remaining wild population in Fiordland's Murchison Mountains," says DOC takahē ranger Glen Greaves. The success of the breeding programme and of New Zealand's largest trapping programme has seen the population in the Murchison Mountains boosted to the point where it is nearing its capacity. The next challenge for the Takahē Recovery Programme is to find a second site to establish a large wild population of takahē. More Mōhua for the Eglinton Valley The Mōhua Charitable Trust working in partnership with DOC and Ōraka Aparima Rūnanga are very pleased to announce another successful translocation of around 100 mōhua from Anchor Island in the Dusky Sound to Fiordland's Eglinton Valley. With an estimated population of less than 5000, yellowhead/mōhua are considered Nationally Vulnerable and are only found in isolated pockets of the South Island and Stewart Island. This latest translocation follows on from successful releases into the area in 2010 and 2015. Next time you are travelling the Milford Road take time to stop and look for a flash of yellow and listen for the distinctive mōhua song. Read about scientist Graeme Elliott's work to protect our native birds. A life's work that began while studying yellowhead/mōhua in the Eglinton Valley. Southland museum to host Fiordland exhibition Tamatea - Art and Conservation in Dusky Sound, had a successful launch at Bowen House in Wellington last month but its full debut will be at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery from 17 December. DOC Senior Ranger (Community), Kate Hebblethwaite has been managing the ambitious project from Te Anau and is excited about a local launch, "With limited space in Wellington it was more of a taster, so it will be amazing to finally see all of the works in one place and appropriate that the place is Southland". The exhibition features more than 50 original works by some of New Zealand’s most renowned artists and emerging talent. Contributing artists include Nigel Brown, Gerda Leenards, Euan Macleod, Craig Potton, Janet de Wagt and Marilynn Webb. Proceeds from the sale of works to directly support the Tamatea/Dusky Sound restoration project One of the artworks to feature by Jo Ogier, Kākāpō – Strigops habroptilus (2016) For more information and to see a full list of works including sale sheet doc.govt.nz/tamatea New Tawaki tally for Milford Sound/ Piopiotahi The survey is part of wider research of this enigmatic penguin species, being run by the Tawaki Project. Because tawaki breed mainly in remote and inaccessible areas, very little is known about their population dynamics. This breeding season, over 60 pairs were confirmed in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, with the possibility of more than 100. The new tally was possible with logistical support from tourism operator Southern Discoveries and sightings reported by boat skippers, nature guides and visitors. Fiordland crested penguin/tawaki are the third rarest penguin species world-wide. The current population is thought to be between 2500 and 3000 breeding pairs and has been in decline since the 1950s. Get involved Become a Kiwi Guardian An activity programme for kids to learn about nature, earn cool rewards and go on epic family adventures! Discover awesome Kiwi Guardians adventures around Te Anau or take action in your own backyard. Find the Guardian Post at each location to earn a Kiwi Guardian medal!Help us create future guardians of New Zealand – Toyota Kiwi Guardians.For a rainy day... Although we are all hoping for sunshine these holidays, when you live in Fiordland it pays to have some fun indoor activities up your sleeve for the kids. Why not do some colouring in, make 3D birds, create your own face masks or make a kaleidocycle. These crafts feature some of our most-loved creatures. For more nature inspired arts and craft activity ideas, check out the DOC Pinterest page. Newsletter feedback We'd like to know what you think of the Behind the Scenes newsletter and how we can make it even better. |