Welcome to issue 55, for April 2010, bringing you the latest news of the Friends of Flora's (FoF) work in the Flora Stream area of Kahurangi National Park. Our current focus is very much on the re-establishment of great spotted kiwi/roroa, now just a few weeks away…

Put a circle around Saturday 1 May on your calendar, because that's the day the kiwi arrive back in the Flora. If you want to attend the release, go to http://www.fof.org.nz for final details nearer the day. Twelve birds representing six pairs were caught in the headwaters of the Clark River (Golden Bay backcountry) last month and had transmitters attached. The transmitters will allow them to be readily located for transfer shortly before the release. The birds will be flown to the Flora and placed in artificial burrows that will be opened at dusk so they can then investigate their new surroundings. The kiwi will be closely monitored for two years following release to ensure their welfare and follow any breeding success.

Thanks to the efforts of FoF, I was given the opportunity to fly into the Clark River to assist in catching seven pairs of Great Spotted kiwi. Naturally I jumped at the chance to have a close encounter with one of our national icons and to help in bringing them back to the Flora. Having never heard, seen, let alone handled one of these precious birds, this was going to be a once in a life time opportunity. The first night out listening was greatly anticipated and the first call was amazing. It's like nothing I've ever heard. The sound is something that cannot be described, it’s just so unique. The next night, the team was out to catch a kiwi. After setting up a small amplifier, we settled down in complete darkness to wait. It didn't take long however. A stropping male charged out of the undergrowth, and it seemed, straight into the hands of James (the expert). I was surprised to find out that the males are smaller than the females. Later on in the week I had the chance to actually hold one of these fantastic animals. They have powerful legs but the rest of their body feels fragile, as indeed it is. The week Sandra and I spent in the Clark, is and will be, one of the highlights of my life. I couldn't have hoped for a better group of people to spend my time in the bush with and I thank you all for making it such a special time. I also thank those who have got stuck in with fundraising and obviously a special mention to Bill and Maryanne, the driving force behind us all. If any one has any questions, don’t hesitate to give me a call on (03) 5432 322 - Michael Douglass

Des Lehndorf's long walk to raise money for the great spotted kiwi re-establishment finally finished on 21 March at Te Waewae on the Southland coast. Des's epic covered 1250km, took him through five national parks, through nine mountain passes around 11 lakes and crossed 14 major rivers. But the job's not over - Des has to follow up on all those who undertook to sponsor him. If you're reading this and need to make good your promise click on http://www.fof.org.nz/walk4kiwis/index

Have any readers ever seen fish in the Flora Stream? I've seen upland bullies Globiomorphus breviceps in nearby Eyles Creek by the Pearse resurgence, but cannot recall seeing a fish of any description in the Flora. A Fish and Game survey of the Flora Stream prior to the first reintroduction of whio also failed to turn up any fish. Maybe this is an area of ecological restoration we've been overlooking?

February 2010's catch was:

Despite the opposition of Forest and Bird, DOC, rafters, kayakers, fishers and locals, Meridian Energy's plans to dam the Mokihinui River are going ahead. The 185m high dam will flood 330Ha of high conservation value land, home to, among many other things, seven whio. It hasn't happened yet so go to http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/campaigns/save-mokihinui-damn-dam to see how you can take action.