Kārearea Protecting a southern land November 2020 How long is a piece of string?

Stoats, & genomics Jane Young

ou can't make a piece of string any longer – or three kilometres. Forensic markers in stoat DNA can be shorter – by measuring it. But you can make a used to help determine where the invaders are likely to Ybetter job of protecting biodiversity if you can have come from, and provide useful information about measure the numbers, distribution and behaviour of the most efficient way to deploy traps or poison baits. the microbes, animals and plants that make up New In July this year it was announced that the 2.4 billion Zealand's unique ecosystems. DNA bases of the stoat genome had been sequenced. These measurements can involve some very Over 20,000 protein-coding genes had been identified. sophisticated – and expensive – technology. Recently, I This detailed information may make it possible to watched a webinar on the sequencing and mapping of develop new toxins that are more specific for stoat the stoat genome. It was all fascinating stuff, although proteins, which will reduce the risk of bycatch. some of the technical info made my head hurt. But even More controversial, are suggestions that gene without being able to understand the finer points of drives could be used to control or even eliminate stoat SNPs, SINEs or STRs (genomics has more acronyms than populations altogether. Gene drives are designed to your average government department), it's possible to spread a harmful gene through a whole population glimpse the enormous potential that this knowledge of pests or predators. In the case of stoats, where the has for conservation work. development of embryos is naturally delayed after In the case of stoats, for example, DNA from saliva fertilisation, it might be possible to manipulate the or scat (faeces) can give information not just about genes responsible in order to reduce fertility. whether there are animals present in an area, but about You might think that mustelids (stoats, ferrets and their gender and relatedness. Tieke (saddlebacks) are weasels) would be too small to trouble a yellow-eyed an indicator species for the presence of stoats. If tieke , but the chicks can be extremely vulnerable. can be spotted, you can be pretty sure that there are no In the 2019-20 breeding season, despite a predator stoats around. Conversely, a single stoat incursion can trapping regime being in place, three of the 49 chicks at spell disaster for a tieke population. Moeraki were killed. Staff at Penguin Rescue made the In 2015, a flourishing tieke population at difficult decision to take the remaining chicks into care Orokonui ecosanctuary, north of , until the danger was removed. It seemed most likely was wiped out by a stoat incursion. Cont p2 Two of the stoats were caught Yellow-eyed penguin chick fairly quickly, and DNA tests carried out by Ecogene identified them as siblings. To the dismay of the Orokonui staff, however, there was footprint and camera evidence that at least one more stoat was present. After a prolonged campaign, the stoat and her two Stoat kits were finally located and dispatched with the aid of a trained conservation dog called Macca. No predator proof fence, such as the one at Orokonui, is completely fail-safe. But most areas of aren't protected at all and are completely open to stoat invasion. Stoats can run, climb, and even swim for up to How long is a piece of string? cont from p1 that stoats were responsible, but a change to the trapping strategy actually resulted in the capture of three ferrets. Hopefully in the future the ready availability of genomic information and testing will provide speedy, definitive answers about the identity of predators. Penguins in are known to have been killed by dogs. Forensic profiling could be used to confirm which individual animal is responsible. New applications for genomic technology have been coming in thick and fast. Yellow-eyed penguin studies, for example, have benefited from DNA analysis of penguin faeces that makes it possible not only to determine what prey the birds are eating, but also what Low-tech predator monitoring uses inked tracking proportion of each species is found in their diet. Faeces tunnels at the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust's Long Point can be collected when the penguin are away from the Reserve in the Catlins. The tunnels are made from nest, so no stress is caused to the birds, unlike the use of upcycled election ads with the political messages the only technique available a few decades ago, which carefully obscured with green paint. Since 2010, involved forcible evacuating their stomach contents. South Forest & Bird volunteers have carried Researchers are concerned that blue cod now out predator trapping at this and other Catlins sites. makes up more than half of the penguin's diet at the Although there is little or no evidence that penguins expense of key species that were available to them a are now being killed by introduced predators at few decades ago. Penguin numbers have plummeted Long Point, nest numbers have decreased by about during the last seven years for a variety of reasons. In 90% since 2013. Forest & Bird members have been the Catlins, starvation is the most significant factor. We lobbying for more than three decades to get marine don't have time to wait until all the results are in, but all protection for the Catlins. the evidence we have indicates that a priority must be protection of their foraging grounds.

Marine Metre Squared (Mm2) Project An opportunity to help monitor the NZ environment

South Otago KCC carry out an Mm2 study at in the Catlins 2 Nov 2020 Kārearea I Spy Sharks!

Let’s be honest. When it comes to sharks, many of us have never got past Jaws. (Peter Benchley later regretted writing the blockbuster thriller on which the paranoia-inducing movie was based.) The reality is that sharks are beautiful, superbly adapted animals that, worldwide, are in big trouble because of human impacts. Researcher Rob Lewis tells us about Shark Spy, the citizen science project set up to help provide data that will underpin the conservation of NZ sharks.

harks are crucial parts of marine food webs where they act as middle and top predators. SThey control the populations of their prey, not only by consuming them, but also by controlling their feeding behaviour. Remove the sharks, and the whole ecosystem becomes unbalanced. Sharks are also simply impressive animals, whose ancestors go back as far as 450 million years. To ensure the health of New Zealand’s coastal ecosystems in the future, we need to monitor shark populations and maintain their wellbeing if necessary. New Zealand sharks seem to be generally faring ok, but we are missing some key pieces of information on shark species that would help us better understand and conserve their populations. These include population parameters such as diversity, seasonality, coastal movements, residency, and population structure (age, sex, size). Sharks reproduce much more slowly than bony fish, so their populations don't recover as quickly from impacts such as overfishing or habitat degradation. Shark Spy is a citizen science project with the dual aim of (1) collecting baseline data on sharks local to New Zealand coasts to fill the gaps in our knowledge, and (2) connecting schools and the local community to their coastal environment via contribution and collaboration in the project. Shark Spy has partnered with school and community groups in order to actively collect information on sharks using baited underwater video systems (BUVs). These school and community groups not only collect the Seven gill shark data, but aid in its analysis as well. In tandem with the BUV surveys, Shark Spy also collects information about sightings from the community. Anyone who has seen a Rough skate shark or an egg case and snapped a video or picture can help us grow our database. If you have a sighting of a shark or an egg case and want to help, you can submit this info to us in one of PATERSON INLET, STEWART ISLAND these three ways: • Go to www.inaturalist.org and search for Shark Spy. Then simply upload your encounter. As long Carpet shark as it is a shark it will automatically be added to our database. • Upload your encounter to our Facebook page – simply search for Shark Spy Otago. • Email your encounter to: [email protected]. TAIAROA HEAD, OTAGO If you would like to get further information, to ask questions, or request a talk for a club or group by one of Spiny dogfish our scientists, you can reach Shark Spy on: [email protected].

3 Nov 2020 Kārearea Red-billed gulls – where are they nesting?

Sally Carson New Zealand Marine Studies Centre

ed-billed gulls/Tarapunga (Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus), are common residents of the New RZealand coast, or so it seems. They frequent our beaches, try to steal our lunch and squawk loudly when we come too close. Most New Zealanders have seen red-billed gulls and many can identify them by name. Although they are commonly encountered, recently they have been designated as a threatened species due to a steady decline in numbers at their largest breeding colonies. Laura Findlay Understanding where red-billed gulls are breeding in Otago is part of a new participatory science project, The red-billed gull's nest is a simple bowl of seaweed, run by the Royal Albatross Centre. Although most large twigs and grass, about 30 cm wide. In Otago, court- breeding colonies (eg. Pukekura / Taiaroa Head) persist ship and nest-building begin late September–early long term, some red-billed gulls change their nesting October. The first eggs are laid in early to mid- site from year to year , so it is difficult to understand October and are incubated for 3-4 weeks. Although trends in population size, and what constitutes a good two eggs are laid, usually only one chick is raised nesting site. Dr Chris Lalas, who has been studying to fledging. The chicks fledge at four weeks of age, red-billed gulls along the Otago coast from Waitaki throughout December and January. River to for more than 20 years, has recorded nesting of the gulls at Nugget Point. However, knowledge of nesting by red-billed gulls elsewhere in the Catlins remains a mystery. We are keen to involve the community in gathering information about nest locations to improve our understanding of the number and size of nesting colonies in Otago. This information will help scientists better estimate population size and increase our understanding of why they nest where they do. If you have seen gulls nesting this season, please share your observations (photos are very useful). Go to http://www.inaturalist.org, search for 'Red-billed Gull Red-billed gull/tarāpunga Nests in Otago', and upload your sighting information. Alternatively, email your observations to education@ albatross.org.nz. (see poster below). The overall goal of this project is to increase public Black-billed gull/tarāpuka awareness and understanding about red-billed gulls, and to involve the wider community in caring for and gathering data that can help inform better management for this threatened species. If you are interested in hearing more about the project please contact [email protected].

Black-backed gull/karoro

Red-billed gulls nesting on the islets at Tirohanga/boat You can see more of Craig McKenzies' brilliant photographs in harbour beside Nugget Point Chris Lalas Catlins Birds: a pocket guide (details on p6). 4 Nov 2020 Kārearea Bird spotting at the Catlins Lake Fergus Sutherland

atlins Lake just south of is one of the Catlins' special natural features. The Lake is in Cfact a tidal estuary providing habitat, breeding grounds and sustenance for many wildlife species. These range from micro-organisms to worms, crabs and snails, breeding flatfish and whitebait species as well as many species of water and wading birds. Set in a now predominantly farmed landscape, the lake fortunately has an almost completely protected fringe thanks to the roads that run around it. Where this fringe is public land it is managed by either the Council as road reserve, as on the north western side, or by the Department of Conservation as reserve on the southern and eastern sides. Some of these fringe areas have become degraded over time through invasion by weeds, especially broom, gorse and willows. The Lakeside Project by Catlins Promotions was started in 2017 to restore and make accessible that part of the Lake fringe nearest to Owaka that was once used as a rubbish The well known old wharf piles with their perching herons are a dump. The days when feature at the Catlins lake pull-off. Artwork by Fergus Sutherland estuaries were seen by the population as places to fill in and get rid of rubbish have fortunately ended. Community volunteers doing The restoration restoration work at the site project kicked off with the creation of a small pull-off along the Southern Scenic Highway, and the development and erection of interpretation panels providing information about the human and natural history. The second phase of the project saw the clearing of gorse and broom, the creation of a walking track and the provision of a viewing seat, picnic table and hide to observe birds from. An innovative feature at the hide is the panel with pictures of birds, and spaces for visitors to record their sightings. The planting and tending of native trees and weed control is an on-going third phase of the project. Volun- teers from Catlins Promotions and the community have now put in many hours, helped by neighbouring farmers and the local transport company. Financial assistance has come from the Otago Community Trust, and plants have been provided by the Farm Forestry Association and South Otago Forest & Bird.

5 Nov 2020 Kārearea Predator control Roy Johnstone 03 418 1319 [email protected] Jim Young 03 415 8532 [email protected]

Growing native plants at Pro Rātā nursery Jane & Jim Young 03 415 8532 [email protected] Conservation in The Catlins Although South Otago Forest & Bird won't be organising a Summer Programme this year – life's a bit uncertain for Reserve that just yet – there are still all sorts of opportunities for people to get involved with conservation in the Catlins. If you would like to get more information about our branch, or to contribute to Kārearea, please contact: Jane Young 03 415 8532 [email protected]

Wildlife monitoring Bats: Catriona Gower 0223914698 [email protected] Restoration work Join us to help with weeding Birds: Richard Schofield 0272818701 [email protected] and planting in these special places that aren't generally open to the public. Otanomomo Scientific reserve Roy Johnstone 03 418 1319 [email protected] Our next working bee is at 1pm Sunday 22 November.

Te Rere Yellow-eyed Penguin Reserve Chris Rance [email protected] Southland Forest and Bird are running their delayed Te Rere planting day to coincide with the annual penguin count on Saturday 5 December 2020. Volunteers are Catlins Birds invited. Help from people who can bring 4WD vehicles A pocket guide is especially welcome as access is through farmland. For those who haven’t been on count days before – there are usually two teams counting from 10am till 10pm so there will be plenty of time to help put in the 500 native plants as well as to watch for penguins.

Te Rere Reserve

South Otago Forest & Bird

Catlins Birds: A pocket guide has all the info you will need about where to find and how to ID Catlins' birds. Cost $10 +pp from [email protected] 6 Nov 2020 Kārearea