remote monitoring – Aspiring Biodiversity Trust

June 30, 2023August 13, 2023

Advancing alpine weather/climate information for biodiversity protection & recreationist utility & safety

ABT continues with developing its Encounter Solutions “Celium” based system of remote alpine climate/weather recording/data acquisition.

Added to existing real time temperature obtained from a network of Upper Wilkin, Crucible and Nth Siberia HUBs/Repeater HUBs and Nodes, are real time ES Celium based snow depth and rainfall recording platforms.

Ultrasonic snow depth measuring instrumentation has been deployed in the Castalia Cirque (1200 metres) and rain gauge instrumentation at Crucible Basin (1200 metres). Further similar instrumentation is to be deployed in the Nth Siberia Cirque.

Ultrasonic snow depth kit installation, in action with Anthony, Bill and Scott.

Upper Wilkin instrumentation installation with Pilot Bill Day and ABT’s Scott Gillam.

Expansion of ABT’s ES Celium based remote alpine climate/weather data recording to include snow depth and rainfall, has been made possible with funding from the Tupiki Trust, the helicopter services of Bill Day (Seawork’s) and a materials donation from Templeton Engineering.

ABT’s expanding remote weather/climate monitoring system will provide a database projected forward in determining the impacts of changing weather patterns/climate (rainfall, snowfall and temperature) locally, on the threatened species habitat and influence on the changing dynamics of protected species and invasive predators within the alpine environment. This may include food source, winter snow cover protection, extended temporal and spatial activity of predators (i.e. rat moving to higher levels in the alpine, stoat extended time active, and more mice).

Alpine stoat (Mustela erminea) activity within the Castalia/Upper Lucidus Basin (Red – Trap triggered by stoat capture) rock wren habitat (end June 2023). Image Aspiring Biodiversity Trust.

ABT’s expanding remote weather/climate monitoring system no less importantly contributes to the safety of ABT field programme workers, and the public engaging in alpine activities of the north Mt Aspiring National Park: trekking, ski touring, pack rafting, climbing etc.

Data of ABT’s current and expanding remote weather/climate monitoring system is available to the public via ABT’s Real-Time weather/climate page.

The Mountain Safety Council’s Plan-My-Walk has a link to the ABT RealTime page, and the expanding data is also available to the Aspiring Avalanche Advisory.

Acknowledgements

With Thanks to: Tupiki Trust, Bill Day of Seaworks and Templeton Engineering.

ABT Rain gauge with Celium Hub (behind), Siberia Valley

Fig 1. Example rainfall output data since initial installation

This innovation in partnership with Aspiring Biodiversity Trust and Encounter Solutions is contributing greater knowledge and understanding (over time), to better inform adaptive conservation management going forward for endangered species protection and restoration within the Makarora and Wilkin catchments – from ridge to river. In particular, for significant remnant populations of endangered Pīwauwau/ Rock wren and South Island Whio/ Blue duck.

ABT Trail camera image: Alpine stoat active within Upper Lucidus/Castalia basin rock wren and whio habitat with ZIP Autolure and trap entrance to the right.

October 10, 2019August 4, 2020

Spring in the Makarora Catchment – From Ridge to River

Coffee break at Jumboland airstrip (the Coru Lounge)

With this seasons work programme in full swing, spring 2019 marks the installation of ABT’s upper river predator control for whio or blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) protection within the Siberia Valley and the Wilkin Valley. This follows previous walkover survey work with the aid of a protected species dog specifically trained in the detection of whio; New Zealand’s ancient waterfowl species, an important part of Makarora’s indigenous taonga.

Rachel Hufton — A whio pair (also known as blue duck) recorded within the Wilkin Valley Feb 2019

Here remnant populations of whio still remain however numbers are low and fledgling survival is limited by the presence of invasive predators such as stoat and rat. This can often lead to a sex ratio imbalance as females tend to be more vulnerable when nesting and during moult. The new trapping networks join up with alpine trap lines to help extend invasive predator coverage for this globally endangered species.

Spring is also the time to resume alpine predator control operations for rock wren and kea protection. New traps added and a number of stoats, and rodents had been caught over the winter months despite not all traps being accessible at higher levels due to the amount of snow still present (these traps will be serviced next visit).

Invasive mammal trap exposed from the snow at Upper Lucidus (September 2019).

A mummified stoat caught at altitude during the winter months

Rock wren pairs were active at the Crucible Basin but all was quite in the upper Wilkin Valley (where snow cover heavier) suggesting that this population may not of yet stired from their winter torpor. Kea were heard calling above the Siberia Valley and one in the upper Wilkin.

Snow cover along the ridge of Lake Crucible looking towards Gillespie Saddle (Oct 2019). The characteristic call of the rock wren is often heard here.

Back in the lower river valleys of the Makarora and Wilkin, braided river birds have returned and are starting to nest again. ABT braided river invasive mammal predator control continues on a monthly basis throughout the year with the help of regular volunteers. Stoats, rats, hedgehogs and feral cats are being reduced to help improve fledgling success of endangered birds such as black-fronted tern, wrybill and black-billed gull. The Southern black-backed gull is a avian predator of endangered braided river birds and their chicks. Adaptive management of this species is due to progress this season also.

Makarora braided river habitat showing the Wilkin confluence and the head of Lake Wanaka

Acknowledgements

With thanks to all our volunteers, funders, partners and supporters 🙂

August 12, 2019August 20, 2019

Alpine predator control progress – winter activity indicated

Since the installation of ABT’s alpine predator control programme for the protection of rock wren Xenicus gilviventri, stoats have been recorded in traps at 1200 m elevation (refer to spatial distribution map below) in areas of rock wren habitat and they are still being caught during the winter months.

Adult male stoat caught at 1200 m by DOC 150 (kea proof) trap.

During this winter, Celium remote monitoring technology has shows that invasive mammalian predators are still on the move during the winter and are being caught within the alpine environment where indicative rock wren territories have been identified.

Snap shot of ABT trapping data Feb – April 2019 for Castallia/ Lucidus

The real time data shows current available trap coverage at Lucidus/ Castalia on 8 August 2019 is mostly reduced at lower altitudes and representing a threat to rock wren territory (southern scree area above Lake Lucidus). The red symbols display trap triggers and the green symbols identify the remaining trap coverage available to passing predators. The data illustrate that there is currently no imperative to replace bait (probably due to low temperatures in the alpine environment or lack of predator food source), and that servicing requirements are only determined by available un-sprung trap coverage at this stage (potentially effective rock wren protection).

Real time data provided by Celium remote monitoring technology.

The Celium remote technology provides additional information on alpine predators such as commuting activity and time of capture. Most trap triggers appear to occur at dawn between 06:00 – 08:00 h at 1000 to 1200 metres.

Time and altitude of invasive mammal trap triggers and previous trap servicing occasions

Climate conditions are recorded showing decreasing daily temperatures towards winter at all three Hub Stations. Overall winter conditions are cooler at Castallia/ Lucidus relative to the Crucible Basin.

Celium Hub Station daily temperatures at three alpine locations.

We look forward to servicing alpine traps and resuming rock wren monitoring this coming season, once baseline temperatures have warmed up and the rock wren are out of their winter torpor. Hope to see this juvenile from last year!

by Rachel Hufton — Last years (2018/2019) rock wren fledgling

Acknowledgements

With thanks to all our volunteers, partners and the following funders; WWF, the Tindall Foundation, Otago Regional Council, Oceana Gold and the Otago Community Trust.

References

O’Donnell, C F J, Weston K A, Monks J A. (2017). Impacts of introduced mammalian predators on New Zealand alpine fauna. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 41: 01-22.

Weston, K A, O’Donnell C F J, van Dam-Bates P, Monks J M (2018). Control of invasive predators improves breeding success of an endangered alpine passerine. International Journal of Avian Science. Vol 160, Issue 4.

March 26, 2019August 25, 2019

Celium Remote Monitoring Aiding Alpine Predator Control

The start of 2019 marks the installation of Celium remote monitoring technology for two key alpine rock wren sites within the Makarora Catchment. We are delighted to be partnering with Encounter Solutions on this innovative approach not yet trialled within the alpine environment.

Rachel Hufton with Celium Hub Base Station — Celium remote monitoring Hub at the head of the Wilkin River with Rachel to the left

The Celium platform is a low powered wireless network designed for the purpose of wide-scale rugged management applications. Celium consists of a range of communication devices called Nodes (attached to traps) equipped with sensors. The sensors are designed to monitor parameters such as the status of a pest control trap (below), which the nodes then communicate to the base station called a Hub. The Celium Hub transmits the data via satellite to the Celium cloud programme, which then sends a signal to the user via a notification email or text message.

Trap node installed on side of DOC 200 (kea proof) invasive mammal trap

The Celium Platform can be used for predator control monitoring and also has potential application for monitoring climate/weather and wildlife. On this instance the installation intends to aid trap maintenance servicing efficiency for rock wren protection within remote areas.

Anthony with Simon (Encounter Solutions) checking that trap Node is communicating to the Repeater Hub via android software.

Encounter Solutions Director Simon Croft (below) enjoyed his time out in the field with ABT and gained a number of close encounters with New Zealands only true alpine specialist – the endangered rock wren. His technical knowledge was a valuable addition during the North Wilkin installation.

Simon from Encounter Solutions installing Celium Hub with ABT

Since installation there have been three invasive mammal trap triggers at the highest trap location points. We look forward to reporting back on what predators have been captured. More soon….

One of this years juvenile rock wren (Makarora Feb 2019)

With thanks to sponsors; Otago Community Trust, WWF, the Tindall Foundation, Otago Regional Council and Oceana Gold.

December 11, 2018February 7, 2019

Alpine predator control for the endangered rock wren Xenicus gilviventris

Rock wren protection installation

Classified as nationally endangered, the rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris) is New Zealand’s only true alpine specialist remaining in the mountains above the treeline for most of its life. Following the results of ABT’s rock wren survey transect monitoring during Jan/Feb 2018 the team have been installing invasive mammal predator control within two key focal alpine areas. Areas include, the Crucible basin within the Siberia Valley and the upper Lucidus/ Lake Castalia, North Branch of the Wilkin.

Approach to upper Lucidus/ Castalia to deploy invasive mammal traps. Pilot Blair Backcountry Helicopters and Ecologist Rachel Hufton.

Invasive mammalian predator traps (DOC 200 and 150 models) were transported in to both sites on a suspended sling from a Hughes 500 helicopter. The traps were then distributed to designated locations extending and complementing existing predator control efforts within the locality.

Crucible basin rock wren protection deployment with Makarora’s Backcountry Helicopters

Site locations within the Makarora Catchment can be seen from the topograph image below. The North branch of the Wilkin and the Crucible basin are situated to the west of the Makarora River.

Population status

Rock wren are at risk from invasive mammalian predation particularly from stoats and rats but also mice. There is increasing recognition that invasive predators are widespread within New Zealand alpine zones. Recent work has found that humane kill trapping of invasive predators can increase rock wren breeding success within the alpine environment (Weston et al 2018).

The national population of rock wren is currently unknown but thought to be around 5,000 mature individuals (IUCN) with severely fragmented populations due to particular habitat requirements. The rock wren belongs to a unique ancient lineage of eight New Zealand wrens now only two species survive. The alpine rock wren and the rifleman Acanthisitta chloris, generally a forest passserine.

During both trips it was encouraging to observe a number of adult rock wren present busy foraging on invertebrate prey. Particularly, at Crucible basin following the late November snowfall. Most birds were male which may indicate females occupied on their nest sites.

Remote trap monitoring

With the aim of optimising alpine trap servicing efficiency and improving understanding of temporal and climate influences on predator trapping ABT have partnered with Encounter Solutions Ltd to install remote trap monitoring technology. The equipment will be installed in January for both alpine sites. This system has been applied to other trapping habitats but will be a first for the alpine environment. If successful other remote rock wren habitats could benefit from use of this technology to aid predator control programmes.

Rock wren protection installation at Crucible Basin, Andrew Shepherd helping to distribute kea proof traps.

ABT’s Anthony Coote securing and geo-referencing mammalian predator traps at Lake Castalia.

Future populations

With dedicated effort it is possible that focused rock wren recovery at these sites could result in potential “source” populations of rock wren and expansion/ migration of numbers/ pairs into unoccupied habitat (Weston 2014).

With thanks to Otago Community Trust, Otago Regional Council, Oceana Gold, Backcountry Helicopters Ltd, Tony Zimmerman trap supplies, Central Otago Hunting and Fishing, DOC Wanaka, Backcountry Saddles Expeditions, volunteers Nick Beckwith and Andrew Shepherd.

References

Aspiring Biodiversity Trust (2018). Alpine predator control plan for rock wren. Makarora Catchment Threatened Species Plan.

IUCN Red List of threatened species

Weston K.A. 2014. Conservation genetics of alpine rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris). Doctorate thesis.

Weston K.A., O’Donnell C.F.J., Van Dam Bates P. & Monks J.M. 2018. Control of invasive predators improves breeding success of an endangered alpine passerine.