july 2009 tauranga, royal forest and bird protecton society newsletter

8/8/2019 July 2009 Tauranga, Royal Forest and Bird Protecton Society Newsletter

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Page 1 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 70 July 2009

Editor: Neil EverettEmail: [email protected]

servation projects to aidIslanders in combatinginvasive pests and weeds.Although retiring fromlocal F&B committee in-volvement Basil is con-

tinuing his environmentalwork as a key member ofthe Aongatete ForestRestoration Trust, work-ing to reduce the de-structive effects of intro-duced pests upon ourKaimai native forest andits bird-life.

As the Kaimai Campaigngathers impetus to gain

recognition and under-takings from administrat-ing bodies of the need topreserve and enhancethe forest, Basils exten-sive knowledge and un-derstanding of its ecologywill be a valued source ofinspiration and assis-tance.

Eddie Orsulich

When Basil decided notto seek re-election tothe committee at ourrecent Tauranga BranchAGM, he ended a lengthyand hugely active and

unstinting contribution toF&B and environmentalactivities over manyyears. He was awardedthe Queens ServiceMedal for his work inJune 2003.

Not only has he servedon our local committeein recent years (includinga period as chairperson)but for an earlier periodof some dozen or soyears he was employedby F&B as Field Officerfor a large area of theupper North Island . Thiswork involved muchtravel and communicatingand dealing with localbody and governmentdepartmental personnel

throughout the area. Bat-tling for environmental

concerns at EnvironmentCourt hearings was ademanding and time con-suming part of this dedi-cated environmentalistswork. Basil also served

terms on the BOP Con-servation Board and onthe National Executive ofForest & Bird.

Basil Graeme, QSM

Together with his wifeAnn, he has in recentyears visited some of ourPacific Island neighbours

to assist with F&B con-

Basil Graeme, QSM A Huge Contributor to F & B

Volunteers needed for MauaoOur pest control teamson the Mount has beenso successful at protect-ing grey faced petrel col-ony that the MountRanger has asked

whether Forest and Birdcould manage anotherline of rat bait stations.

He suggests that wecould add a line along thebase track, particularlyon the NW portion. Thiswould involve a team of4 people, 2 at a time,

sharing the work andorganisation of puttingout rat bait into bait sta-tions once a month. Each

of our teams independ-ently manage themselvesand their own line.

Ring Basil or Ann 5765593 or e-mail basi-

[email protected] to volunteer.

Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society

Tauranga BranchNEWSLETTER

July 2009

Inside this issue:

Basil Graeme 1

Natural History

Lectures2

F & B Website 3

Kauri Killer 4

How to help stopthe kauri killing 5

Thursday Walks 6Saturday and

Weekend Walks7

Grey Faced Petrel(also known as North Island Mut-tonbird, or Great-winged Petrel.)


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Natural Histories inAotearoa is four-partfree lecture series ex-ploring New ZealandNatural History; espe-cially its unique bird-life,

from wetlands to wilder-ness, with a particularfocus on both extinctbird species of Aotearoa,as well as the effectiveconservation of endan-gered bird species.

Discussions on Harpa-gornis Moa, and otherExtinct New Zealand

Species (title to be final-ised): Prof Richard Hold-away (adjunct Professor,School of Biological Sci-ences, University of Can-terbury). Date: Tuesday6 October venue: Bon-gard Centre lecture thea-tre 106

Rescue & Recovery ofNZs Threatened Birds:

Julian Fitter InterviewsDr Don Merton (DrMerton is known for hiskey role in the rescueand recovery of some ofthis country's - and the

world's - most endan-gered birds). Date: Tues-day 13 October. Venue:Bongard Centre lecturetheatre 106

From Wetlands toWilderness: Bird Speciesof Aotearoa: Julian Fitter(international wildlife

author, naturalist andconservationist). Date:Tuesday 20 October.Venue: Bongard Centrelecture theatre 106

Deconstructing NewZealand: An Artists Per-spective (exhibition andtalk): Jayne Ivimey(International artist/speaker with a particular

Albatross by Julian FitterSpecial Price for F&B members is $65

(This includes P&P RRP is now $79.99)

Natural Histories in Aotearoa (coming up in October 2009)focus on outsider per-spectives with regard toflora/fauna & folklore).Date: to be decided inJuly. Venue: to be de-cided, but probably

Creative Tauranga Gal-lery

The first three dates areset and all of the speak-ers are looking forwardto this series; some ofthe titles and overviewshave yet to be finalized.The last part of the se-ries, which is an exhibi-tion and floor-talk byartist Jayne Ivimey, willbe determined whenJayne returns from herlatest exhibition in Brit-ain. For any enquiries orbookings please ringNyree Sherlock at theUniversity of Waikato atTauranga Centre forContinuing Education on577 5376, or email

[email protected]

Haast Eagle & Moa

Black Robin

Pukeko

Come and join thelocal branch of the KiwiConservation Club andhave some fun!

The proposed TuiCounting Trip is Sunday

26th July 2009

Trip Details:Tui counting enhancedby the expertise of Tau-ranga Forest and Birdmembers, followed by ashared afternoon teaprovided by KCC.Meet: 2 pm at Pyes PaCrematorium

Bring: Sharp eyes, warmclothing. Cold drinks andafternoon tea providedby KCC.

KCC Tui Counting Trip

Payment by cheque orbank transfer to:Julian Fitter101 Town Point Rd.MaketuRD9. Te Puke 3189

To book, or if you needmore information, con-tact Mandy Fairbairn,phone 579 1650

All those interestedplease contact Mandy

so she has a rough ideaof numbers attending.

Tel/Fax. 07 533 2040Mob. 021 076 9436email: [email protected]

New Zealand is the Albatross Capital of the world, with 10of the 22 species breeding here, so it is fitting that the Best

Albatross Book Ever should have been written and pub-lished here in New Zealand.You can also vote for it in theMontana book awards online at:

http://www.booksellers.co.nz/vote_form.php?award=92


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Forest and Birds Na-tional websitewww.forestandbird.org.nzhas some new and excit-ing additions.

The Green Room isthe new interactiveChat Room. This isopen to all, to shareviews, photos, infor-mation and opinions!Its easy to registerand log on and join inthe conversations.Recent topics include,marine reserves, pest

control, climatechange and generalchat.

Check out all of thelatest Media Releasesin the news section.Find out how you canget involved and sup-port Forest and Birdsnational campaigns.These include:

Sea Lions Our South-ern Pride

Restore the DawnChorus

Save The Mokihinui Damn the Dam

Save the Albatross

Shark finning Finningis sinning

As well as many others.

The webpage also con-tains links to all the otherbranches. Tauranga now

has its own spot. We

have lots of space to filland we would be inter-ested in any suggestions

and contributions! Whatsort of informationwould you like to see onthere?

There is a blog page(short for Web log)where people can writestuff on an ongoing basis.

Precious Frogs

Forest & Bird National Website

New stuff shows up atthe top, so visitors canread what's new. Cur-rently there are somegreat thought provoking

and fascinating articles.After reading, you cancomment on it orsend it to someoneelse.

Dont forget to checkout the Forest & Birdlodges which aretucked away in someof New Zealandsmost beautiful wilder-

ness areas for ourmembers and theirfriends to enjoy.

Have a look at theonline shop and all ofthe other interestingstuff that you can sup-port and get involved

in.

Do we have your email?If you do not receiveemails from us andwould like to. Pleaseemail us at [email protected] and we willadd to our mailing list.We will send you theoccasional email about

The F & B

Website is at

www.forestandbird.org.nz

The Hochstetter's frog isone of four native frogsin New Zealand. It isfound in the upper half ofthe North Island and theIUCN (World Conserva-tion Union) lists it as vul-nerable on its Red List ofThreatened Species.

The greatest threat to allour native frogs is habitatdestruction, but disease

has also had a great im-pact.

The native frogs havechanged little in 70 mil-lion years. They don'tcroak or have a tadpolestage or live in water,though they need to staydamp.

Hochstetter's frogs are

brown, grow up to 5cmlong and hide understones in damp groundnear streams.

At 5cm long, it is the

largest of the native

frogs

Hochstetters Frog


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Thursday WalksThursday WalksThursday WalksThursday Walks

These are on the FIRST and THIRD Thursdays of the month, meeting beside the Bethlehem Countdown buildingOpposite Bethlehem Hall at 9:15am unless otherwise specified, and usually returning by 3:00pm, Bring all own

food and gear as for Sat walks.

Date Location Description Difficulty

Car donation

July 2 Papamoa Hills

Walk up to the historic pa sites, take in the views of

the coast from Te Puke to Mt Maunganui

Meet Tauranga Countdown carpark (Cameron Rd / 13th

Ave)

Leader: Fiona 576 7013

Moderate

$7

July 16School

Hols

KarangahakeGorge river-railloop & Win-

dows Walk

Walk through the historic railway tunnel; take in thebush and river in the stunning gorge. Explore the old

gold tunnels. Please bring a Torch.

Leader: Kea 552 6338 / 027 512 0077

Easy

$10

Aug 6 Omanawa

Visit the Omanawa Waterfall and Dams

Leader Christine


Ave). Co-ordinator Cheryl 576 2689

Easy/Moderate

$7

Aug 20Looking Glass

Gardens

Enjoy the spectacular display of daffodils in this lovelyprivate garden in Quarry Rd, Papamoa Hills. Meet Tau-ranga Countdown carpark (Cameron Rd / 13th Ave) $5

donation for entry

Leader: Joan 574 8945 June 575 8027

Easy/Moderate

$7

Sep 3Uretara River &

Haiku Pathway

Lovely river walk. See wading birds in this wetland, re-

cently extended.

Easy

$7

Sep 17 Tuahu track

Pass the large Kauri tree to one of the lowest parts ofthe north-south ridge of the Kaimais, views to the Wai-

kato on a clear day

Leader: Janet 544 5362

Easy

$6

Oct 1

School

Hols

Roydon Downs

Bush Walk through planted bush beside clear stream.and over farmland, taking in rope swings to lunch at the

confidence course.


Ave) alternative Te Puke rail station 9:40

Leader:

Easy

$12

Guidelines for Safe Walking on Forest and Bird Trips

* We are a conservation focused group rather than trampers, stopping frequently to observe.

* Walking groups need to keep together. Walkers who cannot keep within sight and hearing of the leader need

to make special provision for theirown safety. Do not drop behind or go ahead by yourself.

* Slow walkers need to arrange beforehand to have a companion who is fit, capable and independent and carries

a cell phone, whistle and first aid kit.

* All walkers should have in their pack a whistle and personal medication. Take heed of the "hazards / difficulty"

described in the Walks Programme.


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Saturday WalksSaturday WalksSaturday WalksSaturday Walks

These are held on the Second Saturday of the month. Unless otherwise specified, all trips meet at 8:15am at the12th Ave / Cameron Road corner. Bring stout walking shoes or preferably boots, lunch, drinks, personal medica-tion, warm clothing and wet weather gear. The dollar amount show is the recommended donation to the drivers

for petrol. Ring the leader beforehand for information or changes.

Weekend Overnight TripWeekend Overnight TripWeekend Overnight TripWeekend Overnight Trip

Bring stout walking shoes or preferably boots, snacks & personal food & drinks, personal medication, warm clothingand wet weather gear. The dollar amount covers meals and 2 nights accommodation. Ring the leader to book and

arrange to pay $30 non refundable deposit, full payment requirement by 17 Oct.

Date Location DescriptionDifficulty

Car donation

July 11 Matata

Recently opened walk over private farmland to

the Point.

Leader: Helen 571 1085

Easy/ Moderate

$15

Aug 8Rotorua

Circular Walk

Take in various aspects of Rotorua from bub-

bling mud to bush streams

Leaders: Enid 575 6146 & Eddie 576 1849

Easy

$15

Sept 12 Lake OkarakaBoardwalk alongside the lake

Leader Enid 575 6146

Easy/Moderate

Oct 10 Pukeatua Peak

On the southern side of the Maungatautari pestproof enclosure, walk to the viewpoint to seefar over the Waikato (or take the easy optionand stroll round the walks in the southern En-

closure)

Leader Enid 575 6146

Moderate/difficult

Or Easy

Date Location DescriptionDifficulty

Car donation

October30/31/

1Nov

Weekend

after La-bour

weekend

Whirinaki

These cabins are located right on the edge of thebeautiful Whirinaki Forest where kaka are oftenseen and heard. This is a bush experience andwill involve communal cooking in the cooking

shack, and sharing basic hut accommodation (10to a hut)

Leader: Kea 07 552 6338 / 027 512 0077

$130 food and accommoda-

tion,

plus $30 travel donation

Limit 30 people

Steep/Moderate/

Easy

Taken on the Thursday walk on 7th May when 16 people turned out for the walk around McLarens Falls Park.


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Return to:

Tauranga Forest and BirdBox 487Tauranga, 3140

Name: Mr/Mrs/Ms

Address : .

..

..

Telephone: Email.

This is (circle one): New membership Renewal of membership

Membership category-(circle one)

Single/Family... ..,.$57

Student/Schools..$45

Senior Citizen.Senior Family $45

Overseas.....$95

Corporate .. $395

Join Forest & Bird today & help make a difference

Complete the form below & return (with cheque ) to:

Forest and Bird

Box 631.

WELLINGTON

Tauranga Branch

PO Box 487

TAURANGA. 3140

Email:

[email protected]

Royal Forest & BirdProtection Society

july 2009 tauranga, royal forest and bird protecton society newsletter

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