NEWSLETTER January 2008 NEWS

Gordon Kirk, QSM Gordon’s skills however, extended far beyond building tracks. He was The 25th July last year was a sad very active in the Society’s objection occasion for the Society, with the death to the construction of the gondola, of Gordon Kirk. Gordon, whose obituary and the experience he gained in the appeared in the Press, complexities of planning and the made a very significant contribution Resource Management Act was a to the Society and its work over many major asset to the Society. Gordon years, covering the whole range of our went on to be active in the lengthy activities. He was a past President, and processes associated with the Banks a regular attendee at Board meetings, Peninsula District Plan, the Selwyn where he could be relied on to ensure District Plan and Christchurch’s City that there was a lively debate about Plan, and numerous other planning- many of the issues we have looked at related issues dealt with by the Society over the years. Gordon was awarded since. the Queen’s Service Medal for services Gordon’s most important and visible 1925–2007 to the voluntary sector. legacy, however, is Ohinetahi Reserve. Gordon was an early member of the From his own detailed knowledge of hill work parties, and in the 1980’s was the , Gordon identified an Gordon recognised the importance of the leading figure in creating the Mt opportunity for the Society to purchase having the local community on board, Pleasant Bluffs Track. Looking at the land above Governors Bay, and and put a lot of effort into the area track now, which many people consider persuaded the Board that to become around the Bay Heights entrance to one of the best and most impressive a landowner was the Society’s next the reserve, which is now showing on the Port Hills, it is easy to overlook logical step in its development. Three the benefit of active management its significance. When Gordon and the purchases followed resulting in the and native plantings. The Society is team first considered the possibilities ‘jewel in the crown’ which is now our currently in the process of developing of a track, they were faced with what 150ha Ohinetahi Bush Reserve. From a series of interpretation panels for appeared to be impenetrable bush the outset he recognised that ownership the reserve, and special reference to and difficult rocky terrain. His vision, brought with it responsibilities, and Gordon’s contribution will be made sheer hard work and determination set up and coordinated the group that on the panel at this location. We know ensured that this area was opened up opened up the reserve with walking that Gordon’s family fully supported so that future generations can enjoy tracks and continues to work on track his vision and work, and are delighted the regenerating native bush, and maintenance, planting and weed and that the family tradition lives on with the impressive rock architecture. The animal pest control. Gordon steered his daughter, Annette Foster giving track also showed how much could the Society through the covenanting her continued support as the Selwyn be achieved by a group of willing of the reserve with the QEII National District Council representative on the volunteers. Trust and the development of our Board. management plan.

Grants this, they have now extended the track The Society acknowledges the gen- in the other direction above Ocean erous grants received in 2007 from View Terrace and over Scarborough Christchurch City Council and Selwyn Hill to Taylors Mistake. Unfortunately, District Council for our general running access is still not possible over private costs and to support our work parties. land to link with the Heritage Trail from Heberden Avenue. However, Scarborough Bluffs Track when the track is combined with the start of the Captain Thomas Track and The track on the eastern side of Evans then the Taylors Mistake Walkway to Pass built by Bill LeGros and Terry Whitewash Head, this gives a superb Everard is now well established and Fabulous views can be gained from three hour round walk from Sumner. justifiably popular. Not content with walking the Scarborough Bluffs track.

PO Box 17-719, Christchurch www.summitroadsociety.org.nz [email protected]   Membership 60th Anniversary Victoria Park One of the objectives of the new Charities Commission is to collect more accurate information about the contribution of Currently our membership stands at 374, which is an additional 2008 is another milestone for the Society – its 60th The roster of members spending a couple of hours on volunteers via the annual returns submitted by charities, so 41 since the last newsletter was published in July last year. This anniversary. We are planning a series of events a Sunday afternoon at the Victoria Park Visitor Centre is throughout the year to celebrate this, and hope that over time, we will get a much clearer picture of the breadth continues the growth we have been experiencing over the last proving successful, and the Society would like to thank all these will prove to be an opportunity to generate more of volunteering, and how important this is. four or five years. Included in the membership are 24 groups those members who have supported this initiative. Whilst publicity for our work and activities. and reciprocal members, which increase our ‘constituency’ to is has not so far attracted many new members, it is another over 1,000, a very respectable total. Walks: There will be walks on Sunday April 6, 13, 20 opportunity to publicise the Society and its work, and the and 27. Details are still to be finalised, but the idea importance of the Port Hills. It is another instance of the Resource Management Roundup Since the last newsletter we welcome: is to provide a representative cross-section of what partnership we have with the Port Hills Rangers, and we Banks Peninsula District Plan: Larry Anderson Ruth Heins the Port Hills has to offer, Omahu Bush, Ohinetahi could not have introduced this without their support and Reserve, Mt Cavendish and Godley Head. Canterbury Botanical Society Clare Heppenstall encouragement. Please contact the Secretary if you would At long last we are approaching the final stages of a long and Lynda Burns Neil Lambie Brochure and Map: The Society’s map of walking like to join the roster. complicated process. All the parties intending to proceed to Rod Claridge Liz Milne tracks is now out of date, and the accompanying a court hearing have exchanged evidence, and a hearing Hill Work Parties PK Durkin & MJ Slemint Reg Parnell brochure is out of print. For some time now we have lasting two weeks has been set down by the Environment Laura Ewen Peter Taylor been working on an updated brochure, and thanks The last six months have been ‘business as usual’ for the work Court to start on the 28th of January. The Society intends Edna Graham Paul Tebbutt to the generosity of the City Council we will be able parties. The Eastenders have been concentrating on their to attend the hearing and to present evidence. Leading Alan Hart & Helen Christine Toner to use their map of the Port Hills tracks and reserves usual ‘patch’, working in a variety of locations, including up to this stage there has been a series of mediations, at Pennington Bruce Tulloch as a basis for our new map. Barnett Park, Mt Cavendish, Rapanui Bush and Jollies Bush, which a considerable amount of detail has been agreed by Brochure Launch: We are intending to have a formal where there is now a stile to give access some of the best a large number of the parties. However, there remain some Many thanks to those of you who have introduced new members. launch of the new brochure at a function to be held native tussock grassland on the Port Hills around the Mt parties who have not signed these agreements, and some As we have mentioned on many occasions in the past, out of all at the Sign of the Takahe. Pleasant gun emplacements. In a vote of confidence in the significant points are still in dispute, particularly the extent the initiatives to increase membership, the most successful is still group, the Department of conservation has asked the group of the areas to be classified as ‘Outstanding Natural Features Mid-winter Dinner: Once again, there will be a mid- personal contact, whether this is friends, colleagues or simply to carry out regular maintenance of the Taylors Mistake to and Landscapes’, and ‘Coastal Natural Character Landscape’ winter dinner, a function that has proved popular. talking to people you meet on the hill. as defined in the Resource Management Act. Details will be published in due course. Godley Head track. The winner of the membership challenge is Helen Chambers, The Ohinetahi Reserve group has also been as active as Whilst, with regard to the Port Hills, the proposed District who receives a voucher for a meal for two at The Sign of the Local elections ever, with a mixed bag of track maintenance, the never Plan meets most of our concerns, we still have reservations Takahe. As you are aware, the Society is fortunate to have on ending round of weed control, and some further planting about the extent of the ‘Outstanding Natural Features and its Board representatives from the three Community near the Bay Heights entrance. Our pest management Landscapes’, and ‘Coastal Natural Character Landscape’ and Boards that include the Port Hills and from Selwyn strategy continues to show good results, and the group is some of the density provisions outside these areas, which in Summit Road Society (Inc) District Council. It was very pleasing therefore that in now expanding the area covered with the installation of our view could allow the development of more and more PO Box 17-719, Christchurch the local elections, Annette Foster (Selwyn District more bait stations and traps. The Weekenders have been lifestyle blocks. For these reasons, we believe that it is still Website: www.summitroadsociety.org.nz Council), Jeremy Agar (Lyttelton/Mt Herbert Email: [email protected] dividing their time between Scotts Reserve and Victoria Park, important to put our views bwefore the Court. Hopefully, by Community Board) and John Freeman (Hagley/ concentrating on clearing broom, plus some planting. the next newsletter, we will be able to report that the Plan Ferrymead Community Board) were re-elected. We are President Mike White 03 312 1551 has now been finalised and to explain its main provisions in delighted, therefore, that we will have their support for The Eastenders and the Ohinetahi group have also been Vice-President Richard Pickering 332 2171 more detail. our work for the next three years. Paul de Spa did not carrying out work at Omahu Bush for Grant and Marilyn Secretary John Goodrich 326 7330 stand for re-election to the Spreydon/Heathcote Nelson. Here, one track has been re-aligned, a bridge Treasurer Paul Loughton 322 7082 Selwyn District Plan Community Board, and we hope that a new replaced, and general track maintenance carried out. Board Members Geoff Bendall 384 9254 Selwyn District Council took what is arguably a tougher stance representative will be appointed. Steve Cottrell 337 9049 All the work parties welcome more volunteers, so if you are than the City Council in discharging its responsibility under Bill Woods 03 318 4825 Access interested, please contact the Secretary. Section 6 of the Resource Management Act, by identifying Anne Kennedy 377 0364 Christchurch is really fortunate in that the Port Hills Once again, our work parties have carried out around 3,500 the whole of the Port Hills in the district as “Outstanding Robin Collie 332 1477 provides an almost ‘seamless’ network of walking volunteer hours during the year, which is an impressive Landscape and Natural Features”. This aspect of the District Honorary Life Member John Jameson 354 5925 tracks. It is worth remembering that whilst many of achievement. This does not take into account the hours put Plan has not been appealed. The rules in the Plan, such as the Press Officer Katherine Trought 332 9877 these are on public reserves, a number of tracks cross in by our Board and Committee members. The Society’s density provisions above and below the 160m contour have Representatives private land. Access to these is not an automatic right, volunteers are only part of a movement that is very important in fact been adopted in the Banks Peninsula District Plan. Selwyn District Council Annette Foster 347 8651 and will only continue if everyone recognises a few to New Zealand. The contribution of the not for profit The Commissioner raised questions at the Plan submissions Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board common sense responsibilities such as using stiles, not sector is highlighted in a recent report released by Statistics hearing about the management of the “toe of the hills”, below John Freeman 326 6406 damaging fences, closing gates, no litter etc. Where New Zealand, the “Non-profits Institutions Satellite Report the 60m contour. Accordingly, the Council has been taking Lyttelton/Mt Herbert Community Board landowners ask that the public keep off their land, Account 2004”. This shows that: advice from landscape architects and has asked for public Jeremy Agar 328 9956 please respect this. submissions. The Society made a submission advocating THOMASGRAPHIK The effort donated to not for profit equates to 2.6% of controls on development, but recognising that there will be Port Hills Rangers 332 5627 A&P Committee Gross Domestic Product. Eastenders work party Geoff Bendall 384 9254 pressure around existing settlements for some expansion. As its name suggests, the Activities and Promotions DESIGN: Ohinetahi Mike White 03 312 1551 When volunteer labour is included, this rises to 4.9% of The Council now intends to consider the submissions and Committee deals with promoting the Society, initiatives Weekenders John Goodrich 326 7330 GDP. publish a Variation to the District Plan early this year. The to grow membership and arranging the outings Volunteers work an average of 5.1 hours per week Variation will be notified and there will be a round of further programme. Recently a number of people have retired We are a voluntary society working to enhance, preserve and protect the (considerably more than, for instance, Australia or Canada). submissions. natural environment, beauty and open character of the Port Hills of Banks from the Committee, and it needs some new blood and Peninsula for people to enjoy.

JOHN GOODRICH We need and welcome contributions to our work through memberships, some fresh ideas. If you are interested, please contact In 2004, 1,011,600 volunteers gave more than donations and corporate sponsorships, participation in work parties (non- members welcome - but why not join us as well!), and bequests. the Secretary. The commitment is fairly modest as the 270,000,000 hours of unpaid labour to not for profit! continued Committee meets every two months. EDITOR:   A Centennial and a Diamond Jubilee; Harry Ell and his Summit Road Montgomery Spur The year 1908 and one without the benefits of email or first Summit Road Reserves Committee As we have reported previously, Christchurch is very fortunate A draft will be available for comment shortly. The Society’s was a busy year any modern means of communication. had been formed. that this last remaining undeveloped spur on the eastern submission suggested public access via walking tracks, for H. G. Ell MP. Yet these were the days when he was Port Hills is now in public ownership. The land is a significant the clearance of gorse and broom, the encouragement of In the meantime he served as Postmaster One can envisage pursuing his Summit Road dreams, and addition to the Council’s Port Hills portfolio. The City Council regeneration where appropriate, with the majority of the General for a few months, became firm him busy with not just dreaming them, but putting them has asked for submissions to enable them to take into account land maintained in its existing state, and the native tussock friends of Apirana Ngata, Maui Pomare electorate affairs, forward with vigour and enthusiasm into the public’s views in the preparation of a management plan. encouraged by sheep grazing. and Peter Buck. In his younger years moving his family action. he had been strongly influenced by to Wellington for By 1908 he had already promoted the Maori attitude to land values when the parliamentary sessions, and yet in amendments to the Scenery Preservation he served at Parihaka with the armed between attending to those daily tasks Acts and looked at tightening up road constabulary. The writer has photographs at home and keeping in touch with his closure legislation. One suspects that of him opening Post Offices in widely constituents in . A these two pieces of legislation arose from separate parts of both islands. He laid letter seeking support for young Andrew problems associated with his Summit the foundation stone of the original in his job application, signing in patients Road concept. By this time, the first Post Office building in Sydenham and to Sunnyside Asylum (as it was called Scenic Reserve on the Port Hills had been attended the consecration of the Roman in those days), meeting his electorate created at Kennedy’s Bush and most Catholic Cathedral in Barbadoes Street. team, opening a building, or receiving a of the route for his Summit Road was Yes, a very busy life for a man with strong The management plan for Montgomery Spur is currently up for discussion including the possiblity of public access via walking tracks. deputation from an environmental group pegged out and surveyed. In 1911 five family ties. – a parliamentary life was a busy one, further reserves were brought in and the Outings

Port Hills Field Trip Kennedy’s Bush, Following the success of the bus tour led by Andrew Crossland Di Carter last year, we decided to repeat this demonstrating the on 28 October. This time the field trip was traps and bait stations led by Andrew Crossland and Phil Crutchley being used in the successful predator of the Port Hills Rangers. The first stop was programme. , where Phil explained the intensive predator control programme that is being carried out, and demonstrated the traps and bait stations being used. Andrew talked about the success of the programme, and the real possibility of this View of the Crater being the first reserve on the Port Hills for Rim from Allendale, the reintroduction of bird species. Lyttelton Harbour. From there we drove along the Summit Road, with a number of stops where Andrew , 1930 Sign of the Bellbird, circa 1920 Sign of the Takahe during construction 1927 talked about the work being carried out by the City Council on various reserves. After A map we have of 1916 vintage shows native bush, the formation of walking Could it be that he knew his days were that we went to Allandale via Gebbies Pass that he had by then surveyed the whole tracks – all this activity was only limited limited, hence the sense of urgency? for lunch. Andrew explained the various route of his Port Hills to Akaroa Summit by lack of finance, or rather, it should We think so. habitats around the upper harbour basin, Road and was also planning and building have been. But Harry Ell would not The writer, his grandson, was aware of and the opportunities that there are for the first two of his “Rest Houses”, the allow this to slow him down – rather it family tensions because of this unrelenting improvements and for creating links Sign of the Bellbird and the Sign of was a challenge that he gladly accepted Barnett Park urgency to put the work beyond the between the harbour basin and the Port the Kiwi. Soon to follow was the tram himself, even sacrificing loyal supporters point of no return. Certainly the public In August, the Society organised a walk from Barnett Park, up the new track Hills. He pointed out that even exotic pine terminus shelter, later developed into the in the process. One senses that he loved became aware of this tremendous public on the eastern side of the valley built by the Eastenders, and then to the plantations can provide valuable habitat grand building we know as the Sign of a battle as it brought publicity, it weeded work just up there on their favourite hills. Summit Road and Jollies Bush, returning via Clifton Hill. This proved to be a for birds and allow movement between the Takahe. By 1919 all three, plus the out procrastinators and it brought both He finally agreed to see his doctor, was very popular event, with over 60 people attending. The ‘Eastenders Track’ is more suitable areas. It is very encouraging Sign of the Packhorse on the Kaituna enemies and loyal supporters. Harry Ell, operated on for cancer, and died the a great addition to the network of walking tracks in the area. Saddle were dispensing refreshments and speaking of his Summit Road concept that the City Council is now looking in next day on the 25th of June 1934. In his offering shelter to weary travellers. said “….I will not yield up to the keeping more detail at the ecology of the harbour Barbecue obituary he was described as “….active, of others the ideals and sentiments which basin, and starting to plan how this can be The accumulation of land and the virile, tenacious and often tempestuous….” The final event of the year was the traditional Friday evening barbecue at I have always associated with this public protected and enhanced. Victoria Park on 14 December. Whilst only a few of our ‘stalwarts’ attended, forming of the Summit Road itself probably a veiled reference to the proceeded satisfactorily, with plentiful work. It is my work and I intend to continue difficulties he experienced, and indeed they were able to reflect on what has, again, been a very successful year for with it.” The mid 1920’s and early 1930’s the Society. labour eventually available from the caused, in his determination to ensure ranks of the unemployed. Fencing in of were riddled with these battles. The that his Summit Road concept became a family knew that his health was failing. continued  

reality. However, a further contemporary The writer, with backing from the Junior The Society, through a generous bequest, The conclusion to all this seems to be that a common sense Conservation and forest and Bird’s websites, the November quote better sums up what drove Harry Chamber of Commerce, formed the was able to purchase a significant block of and a responsible attitude are appropriate. Owners should issue of the Forest and Bird magazine. A leaflet produced by Ell’s vision for the Port Hills and describes Summit Road society in 1948, and with land above Governors Bay, and by further recognise that their cats can be a threat, and take particular Kaupapa Kereru, the group monitoring and encouraging the him as a man “…. who with rare foresight full support from the City Council and purchase and gifting, now maintains care where they live close to important wildlife habitat. For growth of New Zealand’s native pigeon population on Banks and vision, lifted up his eyes to the hills, conservation interests, which gradually 150ha of regenerating native bush. The most of us who live in predominantly urban areas, however, Peninsula is also worth looking at. and saw in them a source of inspiration and grew as a vital voluntary group carrying Ohinetahi Reserve is a prime example the occasional loss of a native bird may not be a problem, From “The great cat flap” by Dave Hansford, New Zealand Listener recreation for the people of the province, out projects for the improvement of of the enterprise and dedication of the and your feline friend may even help in the control of rats 17-23 November 2007. if only they could be opened up for easy the reserves. The Society’s members Society over 60 years. Members can be and mice. For more information see the Department of access from the city…”. and affiliated groups are still working proud of what has been accomplished, The work at the Takahe carried on and assiduously to develop some form of but recognise the importance of ongoing the Summit Road between Dyers Pass and collective responsibility, to maintain, vigilance and dedication in furtherance Some Background on the Birdlife of Ohinetahi Bush and the Port Hills Evans Pass was opened in 1938. With develop and coordinate projects in of its objectives. By Andrew Crossland, Park Ranger, Regional Parks Team, Christchurch City Council the declaration of war in 1939 the Trust furtherance of its environmental concepts. As the 60th anniversary approaches, we foundered, the buildings were vacated Some 70 members give of their time and seek continuing support and renewal, by tenants, in some cases enlisting in energy on practical programmes such with targets both physical and financial the services, and without leadership the as fencing, new tracks for trampers and still to be achieved, and ask for that whole project slipped into neglect, and mountain-bikers, tree planting animal continuing support from the public and considerable vandalism occurred until and noxious weed control, always citizens of Christchurch. working under the watchful eyes of the the City Council accepted responsibility in John W. Jameson Q.S.M. 1947. As this newsletter is read by family City Council’s Port Hills Rangers team. and friends of members and circulated The Society also organises annual schools PHOTO: JANEY THOMAS Arbor Day plantings, and its committee PHOTO: ANDREW CROSSLAND PHOTO: ANDREW CROSSLAND to other groups and organisations, we Shining Cuckoo (Pipiwharauroa) Silvereye (Tauhou) NZ Wood Pigeon (Kereru) make no apologies about promoting the works in close support with other Summit Road Society and its work. conservation groups. In the mid 1800s early ornithologists time in the last century. Natural bush bush. These surveys are repeated at 3-4 like Thomas Potts and Walter Lawry regeneration, augmented by planting yearly intervals and will show up any Buller reported that the Port Hills and programmes is increasing the acreage of changes in bird populations as well as the wider environs of Banks Peninsula suitable bird habitat and the relatively any changes in the patterns of seasonal Cats and Native Fauna: Friend or Foe? supported a rich and diverse native bird recent introduction of predator control abundance. fauna. Birds such as Kokako, Saddleback, programmes is already starting to Some sites such as Kennedys Bush, The number of cats owned by New Zealanders has inevitably simple answer is that there’s no simple answer”. He takes the Native Thrush, Yellowhead, Robin, deliver higher breeding success and Omahu Bush and Sugarloaf Bush are led to questions and a significant amount of research about the view that if you own a cat and live, for instance, near a forest Weka, Falcon, Kaka and Kakariki were improved survival amongst a wide now already into their second round of impact on our fauna. Look at the Department of Conservation reserve or a shorebird breeding colony, then a domestic cat is commonly met with, while species such range of bird species. The successful surveys, but to date, the only surveyed and royal Forest and Bird’s websites, and you will see a number a definite threat to native fauna. as Tui, Bellbird, Brown Creeper, Wood recolonisation of the Port Hills by Tomtit site within the Summit Road Society’s of scholarly papers and other information on the subject. The In Lower Hutt, Flux has just completed a 17-year study of his Pigeon and Pipit were all extremely and the recent reappearance of small Ohinetahi Reserve – along the upper answer to the question posed above is probably “yes and no” own cat’s toll. Over the period, it caught 223 birds, of which abundant. numbers of Morepork, Falcon, Brown section of Wattling Track, starting from and “yes and no”. As far as feral cats are concerned, there is only 54 were native, the majority of which were silvereyes, Rapid habitat loss through logging Creeper and Long-tailed Cuckoo all the Summit Road) - has been surveyed little doubt that they have no place a bird that is not at risk of extinction. and fires; hunting; successive waves bode well for the restoration of a rich once: from January to December 2004. in our ecosystems. Phil Crutchley More interestingly were the mammals of mammalian predators (rats at and diverse bird fauna on the hills. This transect is 480m in length and (Port Hills Rangers) occasionally finds recorded over the period, which first - then dogs and pigs - then cats During the early 2000s the City Council for the most part cuts through mahoe these on the Port Hills, and assures comprised 221 mice, 63 rats, 35 rabbits, - then mustelids, hedgehogs and rangers set up a series of environmental forest and then into mixed broadleaf/ us that they are easy to identify four hares and two weasels. It has long possums); competition and sometimes monitoring programmes to provide hardwood forest. by their general appearance and been recognised that cats kill lizards, predation by introduced birds, as well detailed information on the birds, pest aggressive behaviour, and cannot Although not fully analysed to date, the but if you balance this against the as avian disease all combined to bring animals, invertebrates and vegetation be mistaken for a wandering family raw data (presented below) provides impact of a single pair of rats that can about widespread extinctions, range of the Port Hills. The bird monitoring pet. However, as cats never lose their for us an interesting insight into bird produce 1700 progeny in a year, and contractions and severe reductions programme commenced in 2003 and hunting instincts even if well fed, and populations along Watlings Track: it becomes evident that the situation is in populations of native birds. As an covers 13 sites from Ahuriri Summit can wander in a 5km radius during complex, and that there could even be isolated range, The Port Hills was harder Bush in the south to Jollies Bush in Some 21 bird species during the 12 a single night, what affect do they an argument that managed properly, hit than the rest of Banks Peninsula and the east. All birds (both native and month survey period. These comprised have on wildlife? cats are of benefit. lost a number of species that survived introduced species) are surveyed once 9 native and 12 introduced species. Cats are now on the World Conservation Union’s list of the Some local authorities in Australia have imposed cat curfews, in pockets elsewhere. These included a month for 12 consecutive months, by Seven species (Dunnock, Blackbird, top 100 most unwanted animals. In Britain, for instance, it with cat owners being fined for infringements. However, night Rifleman, Tomtit, Morepork, Brown way of the “slow walk transect method”. Grey Warbler, Fantail, Silvereye, is estimated that they account for 70 million casualties each is the time that cats will take rats and other mammals. Both Creeper, Tui and Sooty Shearwater. This involves an observer walking Bellbird & Chaffinch) are resident, year, including 20 million birds. However, the situation in Gillies and Flux agree that such measures in suburban New Bucking the trend of the previous 150 slowly through the bush along a pre- being recorded in 10 or more months. New Zealand is very different. As Wellington ecologist John Zealand would only be partially useful. Gillies, however, still years, the last decade has seen some set transect and recording all birds seen The annual cycle of most of these Flux points out, the findings are of little use here, given that favours cat bans or at least owner education around critical encouraging improvements for birdlife and heard within 10 metres (30 feet) showed lowest numbers in winter, an cats are important predators of small mammals, and with native wildlife habitat. Many owners are aware of cat bells, on the Port Hills. With better fencing either side of the metre wide centre influx of birds (for nesting) in spring, the exception of bats, all New Zealand’s small mammals are but, again, the jury is out, with evidence that cats are stealthy and control of browsing/grazing line. Any birds beyond those boundaries and greatest abundance occurring in vermin. Craig Gillies, a predator ecologist with the Department enough to prevent them ringing until the final pounce. The animals, the condition of many existing are not included in the survey, so late summer-autumn (when adults and of Conservation concedes that with regard to the relationship latest innovation is the “pounce protector”, a neoprene cat bib bush patches has improved to a state essentially what is monitored is a (21 newly fledged juveniles were all present between cats, rats, mice, stoats, ferrets and weasels “The that has apparently reduces the kill rate by 75%. that is probably better than at any m) 63 foot wide corridor through the within the study area). continued continued 

Highest numbers of species were The ten most abundant species As is the pattern in many Port Hills recorded during the breeding season occurring along Wattlings Track are bush patches, a number of bird species (September – December, average Silvereye, Bellbird, Redpoll, Grey appear to use Ohinetahi Bush as a 11 species) and the post-breeding Warbler, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Goldfinch, breeding area in spring-summer, but dispersal period (March – April, Blackbird, Fantail and Greenfinch. are scarce or absent during the autumn- average 11.5 species). Lowest numbers Other species, including natives such winter period. These species include of species were recorded during the as NZ Pigeon, Tomtit, Shining Cuckoo Shining Cuckoo, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, cooler autumn-winter period (May and Welcome Swallow occur in much Redpoll and California Quail. Other – Aug, average 7.5 species) and during smaller numbers. birds, such as Magpie, Song Thrush summer (Jan – Feb, average 9 species) and Tomtit appear to have the opposite when peak singing activity has ceased pattern, occurring chiefly outside of the and some cryptic species may be breeding season. undetected on the survey.

Ohinetahi Bush (Watlings Track) Bush Bird Surveys Species 21/1/04 10/2/04 12/3/04 27/4/04 26/5/04 16/6/04 28/7/04 31/8/04 California Quail ------NZ Pigeon* - - - - 1 2 - - Shining Cuckoo* 1 ------Skylark ------Welcome Swallow* - - 1 - - - - - NZ Pipit* - - - 1 - - - - Dunnock 1 1 1 4 4 5 2 1 Blackbird 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Song Thrush - - - 1 - - - - Grey Warbler* 3 3 4 3 3 1 2 3 SI Fantail* 1 1 1 4 2 2 1 1 SI Tomtit* - - - - 1 - - - Silvereye* 16 16 20 28 11 14 8 4 Bellbird* 3 4 5 4 5 5 1 - Yellowhammer - - - 1 - - - - Chaffinch 2 2 2 3 - 4 2 - Greenfinch - - - 1 - - - - Goldfinch - 2 3 1 - - - 1 Redpoll 5 1 1 - - - - - Starling ------Magpie - - - 1 - 1 - - *=native species TOTAL 33 30 39 53 28 35 17 11 No. species 9 9 10 13 8 9 7 6

Species 22/9/04 26/10/04 27/11/04 23/12/04 Total mths recorded total cum. records California Quail 1 - - 1 2 x2 NZ Pigeon* - 1 - - 3 x4 Shining Cuckoo* - - - - 1 x1 Skylark 1 - - - 1 x1 Welcome Swallow* 2 - 2 2 4 x7 NZ Pipit* - - - - 1 x1 Dunnock 2 2 2 3 12 x28 Blackbird 2 2 3 3 12 x18 Song Thrush - - - 1 x1 Grey Warbler* 4 3 2 2 12 x33 SI Fantail* - 1 1 1 11 x16 SI Tomtit* - - - 1 2 x2 Silvereye* 7 10 9 13 12 x156 Bellbird* 3 6 9 8 11 x53 Yellowhammer - 1 - 2 2 x2 Chaffinch 2 2 5 4 10 x28 Greenfinch - 5 3 2 4 x11 Goldfinch 2 8 2 2 8 x21 Redpoll - 16 12 14 6 x49 Starling - - - 5 1 x5 Magpie - - - - 2 x2 *=native species TOTAL 26 57 50 63 No. species 10 12 11 15 21 species x441