Firstly a big thank you to the organisers of a most successful AGM in Palmerston North. It is always great to catch up with friends again from the wetland and waterfowl fraternity and without your ongoing support Ducks Unlimited would not survive. The bus trip to Michael Burke’s property to view his magnificent man made…
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I have asked before and now here I am asking again. No matter in what part of these islands you reside, if you have an interesting photo or a good story (short or long), please send to me. Email if you are can and attaché a jpg of your favourite dog, or water fowl, or…
Bitterns are found throughout New Zealand - in the North Island they predominantly inhabit Northland, Waikato and East Coast wetlands; while in the South Island they mostly inhabit West Coast, Canterbury and Southland wetlands. The most important bittern site nationally is Whangamarino Wetland, a large and diverse wetland complex in the Waikato. Bitterns are large,…
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In association with DUNZ the Blue Rock Gun Club shoot took place in early October with 59 shooters taking part. Paul Hallett won top prize.
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Mutterings from the Marsh Nearly nine months since the release date on January 22, and things are looking good for the first trial cohort of 20 pateke at Habitat te Henga. Although rarely seen, their radio transmitters give the show away and let us know they have tended to take up residence in separate parts…
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Ambrose Aquila (Andy) Gurney had a great send off Died July 28 2015, aged 85. DUNZ Life member. It was a memorable occasion and Andy got the send off he deserved. Close to 40 attended. The Celebrant was outstanding. I followed and with a long list of people who had sent their condolences and commented…
If we really must pinion birds, and there are often very good reasons for doing so, let’s consider doing this by a less invasive and somewhat pleasanter method – namely by the use of nitrogen.Nitrogen (N) a colourless, odourless, tasteless gaseous element – melting point – 209.90C boiling point – 195.8C can be bought from…
For members who receive the NZ Farmer rural newspaper each week, you might remember the issue of October 12. The centre spread has an article about working to clean up streams, and one of our members – Ossie Latham – is a driving force behind that initiative. Landcare Trust regional co-ordinator in the Manawatu, Alastair…
Getting the lowdown on DUNZ
The fallen leaves crunch below our feet as Kimi, my canine sidekick and I approach the top of yet another hill. It’s autumn and we’re hunting for Australasian bitterns – but not in the thick raupo or out in the shallow waters along wetland edges as you would expect. No, we’re on farmland - the…
A great number of volunteers were involved in native plantings at Tawharanui Open Sanctuary this last winter season. Working on quite a steep slope, there were around 92 volunteers with 4000 plants to go in. It took just under three and a half hours to complete. Afterwards the traditional bbq lunch that follows is really…
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In February, Havelock North scouts, volunteers and staff spread far and wide, both inside and outside the sanctuary to count patake for the Annual Flock count. Thirtythree dams were visited within the sanctuary and 134 pateke counted (although there were a number of dams and areas such as Rangaiika and Porpoise Gully not visited on…
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WetlandCare Australia has obtained funding through various local government grants to try and locate the vulnerable water mouse, Xeromys myoides. Working with consultant and Sunshine Coast based water mouse researcher, Janina Kaluza UQ, WetlandCare Australia will be out in the mangroves and saltmarsh from Jacobs Well to Beachmere on the hunt for signs of the…
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It is illegal to release wild animals to ‘farm’ them for hunting at a later date. The main potential consequences are breeding disruption and the spread of bovine tuberculosis to farmed animals and reduced local biodiversity. Section 11 of the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 states: Restrictions on liberation of wild animals No person shall…
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WetlandCare Australia’s (WCA) merger with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) had immediate benefits for a 20 Million Trees project at Hexham Swamp. Two of CVA’s Better Earth teams started work in August to plant 8000 trees at Hexham Swamp. The trees will reinstate Coastal Foothills Spotted Gum – Ironbark Forest in open paddocks at Hunter Water’s…
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(Also known as pseudo science, mythical science and subversion of science.) Only over the past few years has it become widely appreciated that the anti-lead shot/antilead projectile brigade’s ‘scientific evidence’ does either not exist or the evidence is a figment of someone’s imagination – MYTHOLGY; i.e. scientific ‘opinion’ not based on any honest scientific…
This trapped ferret is located in a fenced area adjacent to part of the wetland, note the sprayed access to the trap. The ferret must have liked the smell of the juice from the ‘Sardines in Springwater’. Note the colour of the ferret, mostly white. Another hedgehog trap used, DO 200 (pic right). Blackbirds use…
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Boggy trapping progress June, 2015. Steve Playle completed two years of trapping at Boggy wetlands at the end of June this year. He sent the following report: Interestingly predator numbers have not reduced since the first year off trapping was completed. There is currently 94 trapping sites established around the project area now so trapping…
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