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Issue 172

Issue 172

August 2017

 

  • Planting Day
  • Black Stilts
  • Wild Canada
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From the President

John Cheyne
DUNZ has over the last 30 years supported, and often initiated, a number of threatened waterfowl recovery programmes (brown teal/pateke, blue duck/whio) which have been very successful and are now coordinated by other groups. DU’s role in lifting the profile of the endangered bittern (matuku) by supporting research by Dr Emma Williams has similarly been…
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President's Annual Report August 2017

It gives me great pleasure in presenting my annual report for 2016-17. While it may seem that we have had a quiet year DUNZ and its wetland conservation arm, Wetland Care NZ, has continued to support a number of very worthwhile projects. Work at Wairio wetland on the edge of Wairarapa Moana continues with useful…
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The critically endangered black stilt/kaki

Juveniles: On the beach.
The critically endangered black stilt/kaki (Himantopus novaezelandiae) is one of the most endangered birds globally and remains the rarest wading bird in the world, despite over 30 years of intensive management. The species is only found in New Zealand’s South Island and is considered a Canterbury icon. The black stilt was formerly widespread throughout the…
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Transformation of Mangaiti Gully

Early Days: Starting out June 2011.
Earlier this year Jim Law took Rex Bushell on a tour of Wairio Wetland. Rex was impressed. He is involved with the Mangaiti Gully Restoration Trust in Hamilton. Mr Bushell was very impressed with the Wairio project. When he arrived home Mr Bushell took the time to look on Google-earth to help locate the wetland…
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Wairio Wetland Planting Day – June 22, 2017

Ross Cottle and Jim Campbell from DUNZ with Lucien Keightley and Josh Johnston from Palliser Ridge Station.
Another great day on the journey to restore the Wairio Wetland! About 40 good folk, including a large and enthusiastic contingent from the local Kahutara Primary School, turned up on a nice fine Wairarapa day to add 300 odd trees to the thousands planted over the last 12 years at the Wetland. Don Bell, a…
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Tracker dog helps find and protect birds

Bird dog Kimi: Introduction to a bird dog.
Emma Williams and I are helping the South Wairarapa Schools - Martinborough, Pirinoa and Kahutara - to achieve some of their environmental studies assignments and general objectives. Emma has visited Kahutara School once already and her talk was very successful, she had her dog Kimi with her and the children loved that. Then Emma went…
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Shore Plover breeding success at Pukaha Mount Bruce

Stand out bird: Shore plover with orange bill.
The mission to save more than one endangered bird species has been enriched by last year’s successful breeding programmes at Pukaha Mount Bruce. The Shore Plover programme saw over 10 birds transported from Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre to Motutapu Island in the Hauraki Gulf and Waikawa Island off the Mahia peninsula (see photo).…
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2017 AGM/Conference

Ben Gillett and book:
Yet another well run AGM, with interesting places to visit and plenty of old friends meeting up and catching up. The auction with Dan Steele as auctioneer ran well, and provided more funds for the coming year. The silent auction also went well, with many interesting items that looked quite fascinating The AGM on Saturday…
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Trapping Vermin and Brexit

Dog stoat 400g.
For those of us with access to habitat, trapping is one very positive way we can tip the odds in the favor of native birds. So why would Britain’s Brexit have anything to do with such important work? The EU along with Russia and Canada signed up to AIHTS, the Agreement on International Humane Trapping…
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The need for continual predator control

Baited trap: With egg. Photo: Ian Jensen.
I run a yearly total as at November 30 each year as part of the excellent initiative of the ‘Swamp Comp’. For the year ending November 2015 from 6 DoC 200 traps placed around the margins of my wetlands, the list was 11 Weasels, 1 Stoat, 2 Ferrets, 33 Hedgehogs and 7 Rats. So for…
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A duck in spring - in Canada

Trusting her camouflage
Each spring, Canadians herald the sights and sounds of waterfowl as they flock to their nesting grounds. But after their long trips, life for our feathered friends isn’t easy. Ducks – especially females – undergo arduous physical and biological processes before, during and after their journeys. And once here, most hens have one shot to…
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Going wild for Canada’s 150th

Ducks Unlimited Canada celebrates by conserving 150,000 acres of important natural habitats What do you give a country for its 150th birthday? A country renowned for its wildlife and wild places. A country whose heart beats to the rhythm of four distinct seasons. Whose identity is reflected in every shining lake and stream. How about…
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David Blom elected 43rd President of DUC

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) elected David Blom as its 43rd president at the organisation’s national board of directors’ meeting in Calgary, Alta. The Calgary businessman credits the conservation influences of family and friends for fostering his passion for water, wildlife and the environment. Blom has been volunteering with DUC for more than 30 years. “I…
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Wetland care New Zealand

Wetland Care New Zealand Our business is to harness community, business and government resources to restore and develop lost wetland areas within New Zealand. Wetland Care members recognise that wetlands are vital to the wellbeing of the environment, acting as huge ecological sponges by soaking up pollutants and filtering water before it reaches streams, rivers,…
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DU Flight NZ Game Bird Habitat Trust

The NZ Game Bird Habitat Stamp programme and the Game Bird Habitat Trust Board play an important role in the protection, enhancement and creation of game bird habitat in New Zealand. While the major focus has been on wetlands, upland game bird habitat is also included. In addition, any improvement of wetlands is also of…
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