A range of DU projects are progressing well with the prospects for some new ones. Read more in my President’s Report for the AGM on Page 5.

Preparations for our 2014 AGM being held near Martinborough 2-3 August are well advanced with an interesting programme in terms of field trip and speakers. The venue at Brackenridge Country Retreat is great and I m sure you will enjoy yourself. It is still not too late to register. I look forward to catching up with everyone.

Unfortunately Dave Johnson a DUNZ Life Member passed away recently and a number of our members attended a celebration of his life beside the magnificent pond on his property at Reporoa. Dave was a great supporter of DU and Wetland care NZ and his wisdom will be missed.

John Cheyne

Birds of New Zealand – A photographic guide put together by Paul Scofield and Brent Stephenson, published last year by Auckland University Press, it has information on 365 species of our birds.

I have been working my way through this amazingly interesting book. It is not the sort of book you just pick up and read from cover to cover. Reading is only part of it, there are so many wonderful photographs to examine and admire.

As one reviewer said, “It is an essential guide to the birds of New Zealand”. With more than 1000 colour photographs, and maps to pinpoint locations, the book covers species that occur naturally in the wild, those that have established wild populations and also rare visitors.

The introduction alone has a plethora of information, including tips on photographing birds and advice on learning to identify songs and calls.Taking pride of place as the first bird in the book are Kiwi – all five of them.

The introduction to each also gives the reader an indication of its current status. I.e. At risk, Critically endangered, Threatened, Endangered, Self introduced, Rare vagrant, Common migrant, Abundant naturalised introduction and so forth.

Jodi Salinsky of Southern Bird wrote “Overall, this book gets an A+. It is a “must have” extremely current resource for the naturalist, avian enthusiast, novice bird watcher and serious birder alike.”

Jim Mora, Radio NZ National said “Two fantastic talents involved – Brent Stephenson the photographer and Paul Scofield the natural historian. That’s a great collaboration.”

Available from all good booksellers, $59.99.

Flight has one of these books to give away to a lucky Ducks Unlimited member.

To go into the draw send me an email with Bird Book in the subject line. Include your address and phone number, or put your address and phone number on the back of an envelope and post it to me.

Email: liz.brook@farmside.co.nz
Post: Liz Brook, 766 Beaconsfield Valley Rd, RD9, Feilding 4779.
Deadline is August 15.

Three years ago staff at Pukaha Mount Bruce had a huge surprise when a kiwi egg hatched and out came a pure white kiwi!

Manukura is a very special white kiwi, and she turned 3 on May 3 this year.

A month of celebration activities was arranged. As well as a daily Manukura ‘fact hunt’ through the reserve there were a number of activities every weekend during that month.

Thanks to the Ten O Clock Cookie Bakery & Cafe in Masterton, there was a huge birthday cake in the kiwi house with a slice for every visitor. 

Footnote: I called in to Pukaha Mount Bruce for a sneaky look at Manukura as she slowly walked around her enclosure in the kiwi house. Carefully she inserted her beak deep into the ground searching for worms and other tasty morsels. She is a big girl now and well worth a visit.

PS. The café at Pukaha has undergone a change and is now called Wild Café - new management but same staff –same delicious coffee and food.

Liz Brook

Manukura – a kiwi that flies

Wairarapa residents travelling around New Zealand and/or the world are being encouraged to take a Manukura soft toy with them. The idea is to take photos and send them back to the local newspaper. Of course you need to purchase a Manukura soft toy. 

Check with Helen at Pukaha Mount Bruce [helen@pukaha.org.nz] and she will arrange to send you one.

If you are keen and have a Manukura toy with you, send your photos to adverts@wainews.co.nz  The best photo will win a $1000 prize courtesy of a Masterton travel agency.

Wildlife is a great joy to all of us whether they are wetland, forest or common species. 

Sitting writing this I am looking out my office window at the coming and goings of numerous wax eyes and the occasional tui feeding on the sugar water put out for them. I still get a thrill seeing these common species even though I have had the pleasure of working with some of our most endangered species like kakapo and kiwi. Wetlands, waterfowl and marsh birds are no different and this is what drives DU. 

The last year has been a good one with our Flight magazine editor Liz Brook, Secretary Jan Abel, and Web Site and Quack Club Coordinator Michelle Cooper all making great contributions in promoting DU and ensuring we operate well on behalf of our members. 

Their input is pivotal to what we achieve. To the other Directors thank you for your efforts.

Discussions are continuing with Tony Roxburgh Chairman of the National Wetland Trust as to how we can work together. 

They have progressed designs for their national wetland centre to be located at Lake Serpentine near Te Awamutu.

Wairio Wetland near Lake Wairarapa continues to be our flagship project with the benefits of the Stage 4 project resulting in 35 hectares of shallow wetland (maximum depth 1.2 metres) being created by the construction of a 1.2 km bund. Waterfowl use is high and includes regular sightings of the endangered bittern. This work was funded by Greater Wellington Regional Council, NZ Game Bird Habitat Trust and DU. Planning for a similar sized project for Stage 2 and 3 is well advanced and should be constructed next summer. Tree planting and maintenance are also major tasks funded from a range of other sponsors. The AGM field trip takes in Wairio so you will be able to see and hear firsthand what has been happening.

We have been long term supporters of a number of very successful waterfowl projects (Pateke, Whio, White swan). A new focus has been on the endangered bittern (less than 1000 birds in NZ and 750 Australia) and the DU Board are currently considering a proposal to support a study by a doctorate student from Massey University. Bittern will be a great additional flagship species for DU’s wetland objectives.

DU’s slowly declining membership is still a concern and our members are aging. This will be a focus for the Board this year.

During the summer we lost one of our great stalwarts in the passing of Dave Johnson who was a life member. Dave has been a magnificent supporter and mentor for many of us. His contribution will be sorely missed.

I look forward to seeing as many as you as possible at the AGM at Martinborough. The organisers have a great programme planned.

John Cheyne

Seven classes from Waikanae and Kapanui Schools were ‘eager beavers’ on Friday June 6, when around 1700 plants were planted on the west margin of the northern pond at the Pharazyn Reserve wetland near Waikanae.

The two local schools have been involved for some years now and the planting is a popular activity with the students.

This latest planting complements work done in previous years in the programme to re-habilitate a wetland margin around the former oxidation ponds for Waikanae that were de-commissioned in 2002.

To date approximately half of the margins have been planted over the last seven to eight years. The earlier plantings are doing extremely well with a number of the students proudly pointing out where they had planted in previous years.

Little Llangothlin Lagoon is a rare and unique tableland wetland, internationally listed as one of the most important wetlands in the world! 

WetlandCare Australia are currently working with landholders around the Lagoon planting trees, fencing and more to provide a buffer to this vitally important waterbird haven. 

Protecting and restoring this wonderful wetland will not only provide secure habitat for wildlife and native plants, it will also improve the health of the entire catchment with benefits to local agriculture and communities long into the future from clean water, abundant wildlife 
and healthy pastures.

The Little Llangothlin Lagoon catchment area is located on the Northern Tablelands near the township of Guyra in New South Wales. The Lagoon itself is a part of the Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve which covers an area of 258 hectares and is listed as an Australian Ramsar site. 

Supporting various threatened plant and animal species, the Reserve incorporates several threatened ecological communities. Protecting these valuable ecosystems is key to securing the health of the catchment for years to come.

A friend writes:

We have two duck ponds in our estate and the ducks are protected.

When Mum and Dad wander around the estate with their ducklings everyone gives them right of way. They know how protected they are:

When I first moved here with my cat Roxanne she watched mum and ducklings with dad on the end, wandering past my house.

She was about to pounce when father duck came charging over, flapping his wings and quacking as he attacked her. She has never challenged the ducks since. In fact she completely ignores them now!

I wish she would at least chase them away as they leave a lot of deposits on my driveway.

Some “quacking” information for you.

WetlandCare Australia launched their Wetland Discovery Programme last March, a curriculum-linked environmental teaching package for primary schools. It’s a practical and hands-on programme already proving to engage students in their local environment. 

WetlandCare Australia, with the support of the National Australia Bank, has been working for 18 months to develop the Programme with Ocean Shores Public School as their test case.

“I’ve been amazed at the enthusiasm of students, teachers, parents and the broader community. It really is a programme they can all work together on, that is what makes it unique and effective” said Cassie Price, Regional Manager for WetlandCare Australia.

The Wetland Discovery Programme includes a kit for teachers and students with tailored lessons appropriate for each stage (1-3). The kit contains material that relates directly to a wetland in their local environment. “Even if there isn’t a wetland the students can access readily, most activities can still be undertaken without that element, but it is what makes it most relevant for the students, so it’s a key feature of the Programme” said Simone Haigh, Senior Project Officer for WetlandCare Australia.

WetlandCare Australia has assisted Ocean Shores Public School to get the most out of their Wetland Discovery Programme by installing a walking trail through their local wetland, with learning stations that relate to the Programme activities. Nest boxes with cameras and microscopes that can link back to the class interactive whiteboards have also added to the innovations. 

The Wetland Discovery Teacher and Student kits are available as a free download from the WetlandCare Australia website. Those schools that want to take the Wetland Discovery Programme further than just the kit, with a trail, learning stations, nest boxes and more, are encouraged to get in touch with WetlandCare Australia for assistance in sourcing funding for additional resources.