Conservation work
Hunters get on their bikes
Doing their bit for wading birds and rare orchids
Maureen Coleman reports on another conservation initiative with the Thames Valley NZDA branch
What do rare native orchids , wading birds and deerstalkers have in common ? Very little , in most cases but not so in the Thames Valley region .
Step back in time six years to when the “ Terry Line ” commenced in the Coromandel Forest Park as a joint effort between DOC and the local NZDA branch to protect an endangered rare native orchid from the depredations of rats . The locals and DOC had been involved in several other smaller-scale projects over the years , but this was something bigger and longer-term . The rats were eating the tubers of this pretty green orchid and it was thought that the nationally endangered plants were surviving in only three areas . A call for help was answered by Peter Flynn , Mike Deane and others ( known as “ the Terry Line Crew TVDA ”), then a trapping and monitoring programe was cranked into action , led by DOC Biodiversity Ranger Leon Pickering . The result has been a new lease on life for the orchid . Data gathered from the trap lines and observations along the way have also been immensely beneficial . Not only rats but a number of stoats too have been nabbed in the process , so that birdlife in the area has benefited as well .
Now move forward to 2017 . The Terry Line is still working , plus a new opportunity to work with DOC on predator control has been grabbed with both hands by the Thames Valley branch . With the 45-km length of the Kopu to Kaiaua leg ( K2K leg for short ) of the new Hauraki Rail Trail about to be opened , there is a golden opportunity for more protection of endangered seabirds at this world-renowned RAMSAR ( Convention on Wetlands ) site .
RAMSAR status is not allocated lightly – there are only six sites in New Zealand , all regarded as unique and with significant international conservation value . The Firth of Thames site is particularly well known for its mudflats , shellbanks ,
From left : Dennis Hayfield , Leon Pickering and Bill Olsen on the new Hauraki Rail Trail with one of the predator traps and Ana the dog . The new cycleway built along the old route of the Thames railway line provides perfect access for trap servicing .
grassy flats , saltmarsh and mangrove forests . It is essential summer habitat for many wading birds – godwits in particular flying there every year from Alaska and Siberia . Many other species also rely on this area as part of their annual migratory circuit and their survival too has often been teetering on a pretty thin wedge owing to predation .
When the call went out , NZDA members literally biked into action . They are about to kick this project off with DOC ( Biodiversity Ranger Leon Pickering ), Dennis Hayfield , Bill Olsen and others . Both Dennis and Bill are avid bowhunters , branch committee members and now that they are technically retired (“ employed by the government ”), they have taken on the job of looking after this new predator trap line . The K2K cycleway provides a wonderful access corridor for servicing the traps , which will make a huge difference to bird nesting and fledging percentages . The line will have more than a hundred traps , all GPS located and results for every trap will be entered into a database at the end of each day ’ s work . This will also help identify “ hot spots ” of predator activity that may need special attention along the trail , rather than just setting traps and hoping for the best . The new improved access and use of bikes will speed up the job – and with so many traps to service monthly , a stop-off at the famous Kaiaua fish and chips shop for lunch is a must .
We will report on progress in a future issue of Hunting & Wildlife .
32 NZ Hunting & Wildlife 196 - Autumn 2017