Only a few days late, here is the Friends of Flora (FoF) newsletter, sent to keep you in touch with our efforts to bring the birdlife back to the Flora.

K Line Kommandos K Line - the proposed new trap line on the true left of the Upper Takaka river, proved too much for the four Friends of Flora (Bill, Maryann, Kim and Tich) who were marking it. The new line is being cut to provide added protection from predators for next year's blue duck/whio release, as there are traps already in place on the opposite bank. The intrepid four reluctantly gave up when they encountered very steep bluffs and unstable rock falls, which meant it would be unsafe for volunteers. All is not lost - we are having discussions with DoC about the feasibility of benching a track for the traps. This will take much longer and be a great deal more hard work but will be neccessary for the added protection this will provide. Further trap line extensions over Gordon's Pyramid and Mt Arthur ridge are under discussion.

Bellbird bedlam! Nelson resident Carl Babe and his kids had a pleasant encounter with a rowdy mob of bellbirds/korimako on a recent visit to Mt Arthur. Carl wrote to thank DoC and FoF for the experience: 'Over the years I have made a large number of trips to the summit and many more trips lower down the mountain. ...I have watched with alarm and sadness the steady decline in native bird life, almost to the point of an absolute silence in the bush. ...As we walked up to the hut I explained to the children the reason for the large number of traps and bait stations they could see...and how much and why the bush had changed over the years with the loss of bird life and associated flora and fauna. At this point I became aware of the bellbirds and was somewhat surprised at the reasonable numbers I could see and hear around us. By the time we arrived at the hut and stopped for lunch the numbers and sounds of the birds was exceptional. We counted well over 20 (bell)birds in the immediate surrounds...and could hear plenty more further afield. On our way down to the carpark...we were almost drowned out by the sheer volume of birdsong. ...Not to be outdone, a number of robins were hopping merrily along behind, competing with the fantails for the insects we disturbed underfoot. ...for once I could show my children some of our native birdlife, rather than just pass on stories from years gone by. To top it off, just before reaching the Flora Saddle we were noisily greeted by two pairs of kakariki, the first I've seen on this side of the mountain for some time. ...I have faith that my children will have the opportunity to see more of our native wildlife in its natural environment, rather than history books.'

'Ducks get second chance' Was the headline in last week's Motueka-Golden Bay News, reporting on the presentation of a cheque for $4,500 to FoF chairman Chris Potter by the Tasman Environment Trust's Kerry Marshall. 'The grant is part of four TrustPower funded grants established as part of a 35 year resource consent for the Cobb power scheme. Cobb dam owners, Cobb Power Ltd, has offered $600,000 over the consent period to help mitigate the effects of the power scheme on wildlife and conservation. ...The money will be used for a blue duck breeding program and monitoring the survival of ducklings post introduction' the article said.

FoF will use the funds to locate and track the ducklings when they are released this summer. They can then be checked to ensure they are coping with the conditions and settling in to their new habitat.

Predator progress. Pest kill figures for July were: ZERO! stoats (total since Feb 2002 = 231) 31 rats (total 512) 13 mice (total 517) 8 possums (total since June 2004 = 129).

During the same period, DoC employees accounted for a further 2 stoats, 5 rats and, unusually, one weasel caught on E Line, which runs between Ghost Creek Saddle and Flora Stream.

More from FoF later this month.

Ivan Rogers FoF Committee