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August 14, 2018September 16, 2018

Winter Update

Video screen shot from ORC Eco Fund promotional video. Makarora River

In the news, ABT are delighted to feature in the latest Otago Regional Council (ORC) Eco Fund promotional video (above screenshot of the Makarora River with the Wilkin valley in the background) and were asked to supply threatened species survey images from last season (top left and top right below) which have been used to feature in the new promotional brochure. The video provides a short clip on a number of valuable environmental projects happening across Otago. There is nice drone footage of the Makarora braided river habitat. The video aims to encourage projects that protect and enhance the environment and the community.

Inside view of Otago Regional Council’s Eco Fund promotional brochure featuring images from ABT’s rock wren monitoring programme (top left and right)

Makarora Catchment Threatened Species Programmes

We may have been quite but behind the scenes ABT are busy implementing and progressing Makarora threatened species programmes for endemic braided river birds, rock wren, blue duck / whio and forest birds. This also includes biodiversity education an integral part of connecting people with nature.

Predator Control

Invasive mammalian catch effort on the Makarora braided river has removed a number of stoats, hedgehogs, rats and mice in preparation for the spring bird breeding season. Feral cats and the Southern black-backed gull (an avian predator of endemic braided river bird chicks) are also part of the braided river bird restoration programme and will be addressed this coming season. Volunteer help has been essential to this progress.

Winter invasive mammal trap maintenance on the Makarora River (frosty…)

More soon..

April 9, 2018June 19, 2018

Makarora Braided River Bird Restoration

wrybillchickjpg — Wrybill chick Dec 2017

The implementation of ABT’s Makarora Braided River Bird Invasive Predator Control Strategy commenced this weekend (7-8 April). A team of amazing volunteers helped deploy a number of invasive mammal traps along 15 km of the Makarora River. Trap locations and deployment was informed by previous braided river bird monitoring undertaken during the 2017/2018 survey season and existing information on the movement of invasive mammalian predators (capable of decimating indigenous bird life) such as stoat, rat and hedgehog.

Makarora shallow river crossing – linking arm technique

Volunteers keen to help indigenous wildlife included local Makarora residents, members of Makarora School and nearby residents of Lake Hawea.

Makarora river ABT — The beginning of the weekend at Wharf Creek, Makarora River

The day began with loading up of traps on two boats, one a jet boat with an experienced captain Rod Elliott and partner Jos Mclean. Following a jet boat ride to the far side of the river, volunteers were loaded up with traps for particular designated areas and equipped with a GPS. Traps were then securely staked, marked with coloured triangles and numbered to aid future maintenance.

Makarora River — Makarora delta adjoining Lake Wanaka

Makarora School pupil marking invasive mammal trap numbers

Following a trap setting demonstration and health and safety talk, traps were baited and sett according to recognised best practice.

The installation and maintenance of the Makarora braided river trapping network aims to help control invasive mammalian predator numbers so that endangered braided river birds such as wrybill, black-fronted tern, banded dotterel and black-billed gull can nest and successfully raise their chicks without being predated. In the longer term a noticeable increase in braided river bird restoration is desired.

Further traps are to be deployed and monthly trap maintenance will be ongoing during the non-breeding season with more frequent checks during the bird nesting season (spring/summer). Volunteers welcome!

Acknowledgements

Thanks go to all our volunteers. ORC. Also, BRaid for DoC 200 trap supply and production, bait donations from Hawea Flat egg suppliers, discounted radios from Hunting and Fishing Central Otago, waratahs from DoC Wanaka and support from Wilkin River Jets and Mt Albert Station.

March 12, 2018March 5, 2024

Endangered bird life of the Crucible Basin, Siberia Valley

ABT’s rock wren transect survey monitoring programme for the 2017/2018 survey season includes the Crucible Basin situated within the Siberia Valley. Monitoring surveys aim to provide an updated baseline on threatened species and allow repeatable monitoring for rock wren within the Makarora catchment to help guide appropriate future conservation management in relation to invasive mammalian predators.

Kea (juvenile male) at Lake Crucible looking towards the Gillespie Pass, Makarora

A number of rock wren pairs were recorded present within the bolder-field and moraine habitat and evidence of adults foraging invertebrates for nestlings was noted. During rock wren surveys the Crucible Basin was also noted as an important site for kea as well as rock wren. On both survey occasions seven kea were observed, mainly this years juveniles with their characteristic yellow ceres, eyelids and pale crowns. Kea parents were observed feeding young fledglings regurgitated food and a rock bivi frequented by kea was found close to Lake Crucible.

A pair of rock wren below photographed during their diagnostic bouncing display on their long legs with occasional emissions of characteristic sharp tweet calls http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/rock-wren#bird-sounds.

ABT are collaborating with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to develop mammalian trapping regimes for rock wren within the alpine environment of the Makarora catchment from ridge to river.

Kea fledgling (2017/ 2018) Lake Crucible

All kea records in relation to ABT’s survey and monitoring have been forwarded to the Kea Conservation Trust to help inform a national kea database.

Generally, our time at Crucible Basin was positive however, we did note an aerial drone trying to film kea and artificial feeding by visitors. These are two national issues where continued awareness raising is crucial for New Zealand’s threatened species. Image below shows a hunkered down kea looking up at the drone buzzing above whilst others disappeared beneath boulder habitat.

Young kea looking up at overhead drone – Lake Crucible

January 20, 2018April 16, 2018

Confirmed presence of a rock wren colony….

Rock wren of the Wilkin Valley

The Aspiring Biodiversity Trust are pleased to report the confirmed presence of rock wren at the north branch of the Wilkin River following the undertaking and setting up of a recent (Jan 2018) transect monitoring survey.

rock wren - Rachel Hufton — Rock wren (adult female)

Rock wren Xenicus gilviventris is the only true alpine New Zealand bird species and is currently classed as globally endangered under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Peter Child’s (1980) work was the first comprehensive bird survey of Mt Aspiring National Park for rock wren.

Rachel Hufton rock wren survey — Rachel Hufton surveying rock wren habitat at Lake Castalia, north source of the Wilkin River.

The main threat to this species is predation from invasive mammals such as stoats and rats now known to be present within alpine environments. The results of the survey will help inform and guide existing and future conservation management for rock wren. Monitoring transects will also be repeated in subsequent years to allow more informed decisions to be made in relation to this indigenous alpine specialist.