Dear Friends of Flora (FoF) and Supporters. This is our email newsletter No. 3, sent to keep you informed of our efforts to bring back the birdlife to the Flora.

Whio Sanctuary. This is certainly the most exciting thing we have been involved with in our short history. The 10 whio/blue duck ducklings will be released into the Flora Stream by the Flora Hut on Saturday 27 March, unless the stream is in flood. There will be a ceremony on site involving tangata whenua from 1.00pm. Representatives from our sponsors, Council and the media will also be present.

Friends of Flora members, supporters and their families are most welcome - please reply by return email if you intend to come. DoC will have transport leaving from the Pokororo Hall from 11.30 am to stop congestion at the Flora carpark. There will be refreshments at the hut afterwards.

The whio ducklings are now well grown at 900grams and are having a health check and transmitters fitted in Christchurch right now. This is all part of DoC's National Blue Duck Recovery Plan and the duckling release will provide the department with 'robust knowledge to confirm threats to whio and perfect techniques to manage the species' recovery' to quote their 2003 - 2008 Flora Stream Whio Sanctuary Workplan. FoF's ongoing predator control has been the major factor in DoC's selection of the Flora Stream as a release site.

Wasps off. Due to low numbers we are deferring our wasp control program till next summer, when we will concentrate on the area between Gridiron Shelter and the Flora carpark.

621 stoat traps baited. All 621 traps on lines 'A' to 'I' are now baited with eggs and will be checked this month. FoF and DoC are in regular discussions aiming to constantly improve the quality of our trap setting, data recording and maintenance.

Progress on predators. The February monitoring got rid of 12 stoats, 32 rats and 27 mice. Hopefully this will give the ducklings a better chance! Totals since monitoring began in Feb 2002 are:

Stoats: 130 Rats: 185 Mice: 414

Plus a few weasels, cats and possums.

March monitoring: This will take place between 19 and 23 March, concentrating on the weekend of 20/21 March. If you would like to go but have not yet been contacted by a 'Friend of Flora' please let me know by reply email.

Ivan Rogers, FoF committee