Restoration – Page 10

April 15, 2014

Times

Oil While I was cleaning up this rusted oil barrel that had been dumped near a stream in Selwyn Bush decades ago, I thought about how “times have changed”. I guess all I need to do is make them change faster.

April 7, 2014March 28, 2024

A Dotterel Breeding habitat at Tahuna Torea

After the last count of 50 Pukeko at Point England I am considering trying to find a better breeding habitat on the Tamaki Estuary for the local Dotterel. Michael Taylor can’t recall Dotterel showing any interest in the tidal mudflats in the lagoon area at Tahuna Torea. I am wondering why, as this seems the perfect spot.

Here is a map showing the current state of the islands which are potential roosting/ nesting spots.

Mangroves and other vegetation would need to be cleared to give the birds a 270° view. Gwenda Pulham made the observation that there are no sand hoppers to feed chicks and I should read HANZAB. Which states “Usually feed on firm exposed mudflats, sand or stones; avoid soft sticky mud, e.g. near mangroves.”

But I have seen birds with sticky mud on their beaks. (Ambury park)

So how sticky is too sticky?

This is what most of the mud looks like. Note crab holes and my average footstep depth of 2cm. — This is what most of the mud looks like. Note all the mud snails and my average footstep depth of 2cm.

The mud around the islands is higher and only covered 30 min either side of high tide. Note the extra crab holes.

The odd Pukeko and roosting Caspian Tern is seen on the flats, and occasionally a Banded Rail. But mostly it’s White Faced Herons and Pied Stilts.

If it has a 30% chance or working then I am keen to:

Clear dense vegetation from the islands.
Remove or trim a large amount of the mangroves.
Import shell.
Reinforce the islands.
Experiment with decoys.

UPDATE: May 2014: Experts think this is a long shot and that I have a better chance of dealing with the Pooks at Point England by poisoning them. But an even better idea is Chick Shelters!

UPDATE: March 2024: Well that worked after all!

March 31, 2014

Business Pollution Prevention Programs

I have been visiting various Auckland catchments and photographing them for local business pollution prevention programs. Outputs below:

March 28, 2014

Pest Monitoring

Monitoring Tunnel (S6) Selwyn Bush 24 March 2114

MY IDs: Using this guide
S1 –
S2 Rat
S3 Rat & Hedgehog
S4 Hedgehog
S5 Mouse
S6 Mouse & Rat (confirmed by Camera Trap)
S7 –
S8 Rat
S9 Rat
S10 –

This gives us a an Autumn result for 2014 of 56% Rat, 22% Mice, and 22% Hedgehog.

Wax Tags

These are only ones with marks, note S10 had no wax tag. I assume because of the ink markings and camera data they were both mouthed by rats. I am surprised there is any wax left on S6 given the amount of times the rats ran unto/past the tag (camera observations). On further inspection I think S6 is the only conclusive rat bite. Next time we should leave these out for 7 nights.

January 28, 2014

Philosophy

I found this old thing on my hard-drive. Might help me get focused.
I think the obvious answer is a wetland because those environments were hardest hit buy farmers. Tho interestingly I do not know much about threatened wetland species. Our rivers and shorelines face a lot of commercial & recreational pressure. A wetland also sits at an interesting intersection:

When I visit forests I hear a lack of quality in the silence (lack of bird life)
When I drive through the countryside I see a lack of quality in the monotonous monocultures.
When I kayak in NZ, the water feels empty. I think for me — quality is biodiversity and the water is overfished and often polluted.

It would be magic if I could fill all three buckets with one hose.

December 18, 2013