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Friends of Flora - Community helping Conservation |
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It has been a fairly quiet time on the mountain since our last newsletter of June. As we said then, after our years of trap data, we realised it wasn't necessary to do all our FoF lines over the months of June and July. Only our main core line of 'I' was monitored. Predators few and far between, which was great!
Tally for I line for July - stoats = 2, rats = 2 and a mouse
Kiwi Update: Robin and Sandy Toy have been very active in training up some of the FoF volunteers to use the telemetry gear for keeping an eye on our 12 kiwi in the Flora. The first 'wave' of volunteers, numbers 8 - all of whom are well on their way to be competent in, not only tracking the kiwi’s whereabouts, but also taking the message the transmitter sends out. Through the different sequences of 'beeps', we can tell how long each bird was out foraging over the past week. This is important so as to be able to keep an eye on their feeding habits in case at some stage, one may become ill and stop eating. It then gives us options on what to do about it.
At this point in time, all 12 are accounted for, although one of them has now wandered outside our protected area. Totaranui - a female, has decided the grass is greener.. at least for now. We are still able to pick her up with the receivers, and are keeping a close eye on her. As of a few days ago, she was in the Grecian, which is an area to the north of the Flora. The hope is she will come back in to the Flora when hearing the other kiwi calling from that direction. We also know, in recent times there has been the odd kiwi heard in that area. Maybe these odd (meaning occasional, not different!) birds have enticed her over there. Watch this space... Funding: We are very delighted to have received funding from the NZ Lottery Grants Board. This substantial grant allows for the next two years of transmitter changes on the adult kiwi, and hopefully.. transmitters for any chicks born. It also pays for the continued employment of Sandy and Robin Toy to keep a close eye/ear on the birds, and train FoF volunteers, to eventually be able to do the job. This grant now ensures the success of our project for the next two years. But.. we mustn’t be complacent, we still require monies for ongoing tasks and equipment, which this grant doesn’t cover.
Awards: Friends of Flora have once again been in amongst the awards. We recently won the 'Heritage and Environment' section of the Nelson/Tasman Trustpower Community Awards. Well done FoFers!!
What's that plant? Our plant this month is the very iconic Dracophyllum traversii. It is found in many situations over our trapping project, but none more spectacular than along ‘A’ line ridge. It is commonly known as the mountain Nei Nei, or the Dr Seuss Tree – it is very reminiscent of the Truffuler trees. This very tropical looking tree survived the last ice age and has adapted to sub-alpine conditions. It is a real treat to see it in the snow. Until next month – have fun out there in the mountains. As of early August, we don’t feel we have had a winter in Kahurangi. The winter is sure to have a sting in its tail – so be prepared!
Maryann and Bill Friends of Flora |
