CCCooonnnssseeerrrvvvaaatttiiiooonnn VVVooollluuunnnttteeeeeerrriiinnnggg TTTaaarrraaannnaaakkkiii NNNeeewwwsssllleeetttttteeerrr JJJaaannnuuuaaarrryyy --- MMMaaarrrccchhh 222000111333 222888 FFFeeebbbrrruuuaaarrryyy 222000111333 Kia ora Haere mai I trust that everyone had a good break and is enjoying this nice long Welcome summer – except farmers who will be hoping rain is on its way. As this is only an ‘update’ only a few bits have changed – including Dion’s Rongoā update, a ‘No time to Volunteer’ section and additional volunteer opportunities. March is Whio Awareness Month so we are looking to do whio related events. If you are interested in being involved flick me an email… Nga mihi Chris Rendall Community Relations Ranger – Taranaki Area [email protected] Ph 06 759 7178 In brief: The Herpetological Society One of the local groups that do their bit for conservation is the Herpetological Society. They are the local council’s first point of call if they are undertaking vegetation clearance in a location that may be home to lizards. The Herpetological team then springs into action and rushes out to check the vegetation for lizards to move them to safer habitat. Here are a couple of action shots: Ngaire Jury, Barbara Watkins, Elise Smith and New Plymouth District Council Arborist Conrad Pattison checking Flax bushes for Lizards in an area that was to be cleared for a walkway. If you see lizards please report them at http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/reptiles-and- frogs/reptiles-and-frogs-distribution-information/species-sightings-and- data-management/ Pest of the Month – Possum Pest of the Month Trichosurus vulpecula (Brushtail Possum) The Brushtail possum is an introduced marsupial (have pouched young) and are widespread throughout New Zealand. They have a thick bushy tail, close woolly fur, fox-like ears and a pointed snout. Possums are a serious conservation pest not just because they can decimate localised stands of trees, but more importantly because they change the overall structure and composition of native forests and other ecosystems. Responsibility for control Within the Taranaki region there is a Self-help programme run by the Regional Council your property is part of the Self-help. Possum Control Programme (see map by way of TRC link below), you must control possums on your property to a level where they are not impacting upon your neighbour’s property. Identifying features They are active at night, although in winter starving or sick animals may emerge to feed in the afternoon. Possums generally emerge from their dens about 30 minutes after sunset. They return just before dawn in the summer, but often several hours earlier in winter. Favoured dens are in thickets of gorse, flax and scrub, but they are equally happy in hay rolls, barns, and the roofs of houses and garages. Further info http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/factsheets/possums http://www.trc.govt.nz/assets/taranaki/environment/animals/pdf/bru shtail.pdf General information on weeds and being involved in their removal is available from Weedbusters www.weedbusters.org.nz. 2 Know your Natives – Bats/Pekapeka Bats/Pekapeka are New Zealand’s only native land mammals (apart from seals and sea lions, which spend some of their lives on land). New Zealand bats/pekapeka are endemicas they have been isolated from other species for millennia. There are two main kinds (genera), the long-tailed bat Chalinolobus and the lesser short-tailed bat Mystacina. Long-tailed (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) Lesser Short-tailed (Mystacina tuberculata) Lesser short-tailed bats are important pollinators of forest lilies, pöhutukawa and especially the parasitic wood rose Dactylanthus taylorii (pua o te reinga). Some New Zealand flowers produce more nectar at night, attracting lesser short-tailed bats as pollinators. Threats Fire, logging, land-clearance, disturbance of roosts and predators such as stoats, rats, possums and cats have reduced pekapeka numbers to the point where scientists consider them endangered. Local relevance Taranaki is home to bats and Dactylanthus – so ensuring both species survive is important for each of them. The Department is involved in monitoring both species and undertakes actions to protect both species including caging Dactylanthus and pest control. More information http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/bats/ 3 Calendar of Events – Work / Exercise 10 & 17 March (also Rotokare – Working bee (South Taranaki) – special effort for the every Sunday) construction of a new fence walking track 9am - 12.30pm (lunch provided ) The pest-proof fence is such an integral component of the sanctuary project, so it makes sense to give people the opportunity to see it up close and follow the boundary. In addition, we are seeing people walking the fence line on a regular basis already – so this project is essentially supporting a strong community interest, whilst also helping to reduce erosion risks associated with the fence and heavy foot traffic. This project is physical, requiring a reasonable level of fitness. Rotokare volunteers will lead small teams working on various elements of walkway construction. Please bring sturdy footwear, sunhat, plenty of water and snacks. Useful tools: hammer and spade. Other Sundays activities may include: trap re-baiting, fence checking, paving, planting (contact: [email protected] for further details) TBA- see contact A new Volunteer Opportunity details During March we will begin our search for Dactylanthus taylorii in the Egmont National Park. Dactylanthus is New Zealand’s only completely parasitic plant; depending on its host for survival. It produces a sweet nectar with entices wildlife from all around; which includes possum who tend to destroy the flower with prevents the development of seeds. For more information on Dactylantus see www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-plants/dactylanthus/. If anyone is interested in getting up close to this unique plant then please contact Kelly at [email protected] or on (06) 759 7183 (leave a message as I am usually not at my desk). This job will involve either day or overnight trips, during which you locate plants then place and secure a cage over it. This caging improves the plants chances to produce seed and therefore continue the success of the population for generations to come. st 1 Saturday of the Forest and Bird’s Te Wairoa Reserve (Clearview Rd – Lepperton) Month Working Bee for maintenance of this well established small reserve. Opportunity to be amongst mature trees and see birds. For further information or confirmation of the day contact; Janet Hunt 06 756 9165 or [email protected] TBC – March/April Frankley Road Reserves – New Plymouth We are looking to link some remanant bits of bush on this reserve with the help of the adjoining landowner (whose family also donated the land to the Department). The land is currently paddock and so will take a while to re-vegetate so it would be great to help it along. There is also the opportunity to do some pest plant eradication in the bush remnants. Contact Chris Rendall 06 7597178 [email protected]. TBA- see contact Taranaki Kiwi Trust details Don’t just read about us – get involved! There are lots of neat opportunities; various forms of field work including being part of night kiwi survey teams, stoat trap setting; simple computer work including assisting with the processing of data collected through our night kiwi recorder devices (own computer required, all training provided); assisting with events and set-up of resources; any other skills you can offer us?..….. Contact Taranaki Kiwi Trust, 027 4601047 or [email protected] st 1 Sunday of the East Taranaki Environment Trust – Working bee (continues the first Month Sunday of every month) 10am at Purangi We are working on improving our new public walking track and cleaning up after the very wet winter. Lunch will be provided. Contact Karen Schumacher 06-7568064 for details. TBA- see contact Huatoki Conservation Group (Urban New Plymouth) details The Huatoki Conservation Group focuses on the care and conservation of the native habitats in the Huatoki area; including the Huatoki Domain, Huatoki Scenic Reserve (‘Tupari’), Sheppard’s Bush/Budleigh Street Bush Reserve and the Huatoki Walkway. We have monthly working bees consisting of weeding and rubbish clearance in targeted areas and annual restoration planting with the Vogeltown School. Contact Bill Clarkson (06- 7535811) or Greg Sharman (06- 7695858). TBA- see contact Forest and Bird’s Upper Te Henui Walkway Restoration Project details (Urban New Plymouth) This project began in 2009 to restore the southern section of the Te Henui Walkway between Cumberland Street and Durham Ave back to native vegetation with agreement from NPDC. Within this area there are some native species of special interest. To achieve their preservation and restore the area there is a need for on-going weeding and occasionally planting. If you are interested in volunteering with this project contact Carolyn Brough [email protected]. Sat 13/Sun 14 April Mangorei Track – Working Bee 9am at the end of Mangorei Road The boardwalk to the Pouakai Hut is finished but there are still some jobs to do along the Mangorei Track. The New Plymouth Tramping Club has 5 been helping us out by tidying up the earthworks and stacking the old totara slats. We'll meet where we park the cars. If you need a ride give Mike Tapp ([email protected]) a call at the DOC Office 067597193 or 0274477229. Phone Mike before the day too, just to confirm that the working bee is still on. TBA- see contact Mangorei and Maude tracks – Taranaki Kiwi Trust Traplines details We have full rosters at the moment, but always welcome more people, as we hope to expand by creating other traplines on other tracks on the Pouakais. We need people who are onto it in terms of tramping strenuous steep tracks for several hours, with all of their own personal day trip gear, and willing to empty manky dead critters out of traps, carry loads of eggs for rebaiting, and willing to reset heavy traps.