Boyle Base News - Forest and Bird

SEPTEMBER 2012
FOREST AND BIRD
NORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH: PO BOX 2389, CHRISTCHURCH 8140
Mokihinui
Saved
The Mokihinui is the West Coast’s third
largest river and drains the vast uplands
and mountains on the western flank of the
Kahurangi Na8onal Park. The river
descends sharply through beech forests
studded with ancient podocarps and rata,
that bloom here in profusion. Meridian
Energy had proposed to build an 85
meter high dam that would have flooded
330 hectares of primeval forest and
turned the mighty Mokihinui into a
sluggish reservoir. The river and
surrounding forest land provides habitat
for numerous threatened species, such as
great spoFed kiwi, western weka, whio
longfin eel and Powelliphanta snails.
Forest & Bird, along with the Department
of Conserva8on (DOC) and other NGOs
had started the expensive and 8me-­‐
consuming task of appealing the resource
consent decision to proceed with the dam
un8l the plan was abandoned by Meridian
in May 2012.
CONTENTS
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Eric Spur’s Garden Bird Survey
Boyle Base news
KCC News
Reports from the National AGM
A new Old Blue
Good tuna and Bad tuna
Avon Otakaro petition
Kereu window strikes
Opinion: Ainslie Talbot
Diaries and calendars
Dates for your diary
And also information on plants to
attract birds, stick insects, ongaonga,
places to visit and websites to view.
A Hurunui local . See great places to visit page
West Coast Rata Forest
Forest and Bird now plan to campaign for the inclusion of the Mokihinui river
and its extensive catchment into the adjacent Kahurangi Na8onal Park. Not only
will this safeguard the river from future hydro and mining proposals but it will
allow Forest & Bird to beFer advocate for greater pest control. To add this
sec8on into Kahurangi Na8onal Park, DOC must ini8ate a Sec8on 8 analysis of its
ecological values. Fortunately, much of this work has been done in prepara8on
for recent court hearings. You can encourage DOC to put the ‘Mokihinui in the
Park’ by adding your name to Forest and Bird’s list of supporters.
Did You Know?
1. In 2004 DOC undertook an assessment of 4706 river
catchments around NZ to idenVfy waters of naVonal
importance for biodiversity conservaVon. The Mokihinui
had the seventh highest value for natural heritage .
2. The Mokihunui Hydro project was developed by Meridian
Energy and was expected to cost $300 million.
3. The 85-­‐megawa` power staVon was expected to generate
up to 360 GWh a year, 14 percent more than the annual
electricity consumpVon of the enVre West Coast region.
4. The Mokihinui River Gorge comprises the final 20 km of the
80km long Old Ghost Road, a Great Ride that forms part of
the Nga Haerenga or New Zealand’s Cycle trail.
(www.nzcycletrail.com).
5. A decision has now been made to restore the Mokihinui
Gorge trail (starVng immediately) to enable Vmely
compleVon of the Old Ghost Road and to deliver an iconic
day/overnight ride/walk in its own right.

Boyle Base News
During winter, the weather has brought
rain and more rain, followed by a heavy
wet snow which brutally broke trees and
branches in the red, silver and mountain
beech forest. There was about a week of
lovely weather, then more rain.
Goodness knows what we will face when
we tackle our August monitoring. I
suspect it will take us all day, to do a line
of 10 monitoring boxes where it might
have taken an hour. Who Knows? We
may be busy, doing the 4 lines, as 3 lines
are deep in the broken beech forest.
Sadly the June snows appear to have
broken branches off the 3 mountain
beech trees, between the hut and the
toilet, where the orange flowered
mistletoe (Alepis flavida) flourished. The
mistletoes were, of great interest, and
therefore they are a great loss. There are
other mistletoes but they are not as
handy for a teaching aid. There were
even many branches down on the track
from the hut to the toilet. The bush is
liFered with trees down as well as
branches.
Viciously, that wet cold snow broke
branches off kanuka and damaged
severely even tough old matagouries. The
damage is visible every-­‐where. The Boyle
Area is a very dynamic area, even though
the Boyle Base Hut is down on the flats.
The Great news in July was the
installa8on of a solar ligh8ng system to
Boyle Base Hut. We give sincere thanks
to the grant, from the Canterbury
Community Trust. Candles as a fire
hazard, were a constant worry, in spite of
some people being concerned that Boyle
Base will lose its ambience. [We’d cut
down the fire danger down right at the
outset Aeer taking possession of Boyle
Base Hut we replaced in the living/room
kitchen old fashioned Pinex par8cle
board, with Fireline, which is an up
market version of Gib Board]
As ever we warmly welcome volunteers,
par8cularly those wan8ng to do predator
trapping.
[Ideally the Fenn 4 kill traps should be
gone round every couple of weeks.] As
Wayne K. says a trap out of ac8on is an
opportunity missed.
A presentaVon at the North Canterbury
Branch AGM by Eric Spurr
The annual garden bird survey run by Landcare Research
and supported by Forest & Bird and the Ornithological
Society took place this year from June 30 th to July 8 th and
by all accounts was a great success with over 4000 birders
taking part. The survey, running since 2006, encourages amateur and expert
bird watchers alike to take a look at just exactly which avian visitors frequent
their backyards. It involves spending an hour recording the species of birds and
the maximum number of each seen or heard at any one 8me over that hour.
Survey organiser and re8red Canterbury Landcare Research scien8st Eric Spurr
is happy with the outcome. "The response from par8cipants throughout the
country has been fantas8c. Their observa8ons help build up a picture of how
both na8ve and introduced birds are faring in our gardens over the years."
Results from this year’s survey had the house sparrow again being the most
abundant bird species, followed by silvereye, blackbird and starling. Other birds
in order of abundance were the tui, myna, chaffinch, fantail, greenfinch and
dunnock. Some of the more unusual birds reported included fernbird, kea, New
Zealand robin, white heron and kookaburra.
The Garden Bird Survey
"The most significant result this year has been an increase in the number of
silvereye counted. This could have been a result of snow and hard frosts in early
winter forcing birds out of forests and into gardens in search of food. Last year
the early winter was mild, so birds didn't move into gardens un8l later."
What species of birds do you see in your garden? Based on past survey results if
you are in an urban sepng then you are likely to see higher numbers of
silvereyes, sparrows and greenfinches compared to your rural counterparts and,
if you provide supplementary feed to these birds ( bread, fruit, fat or sugar-­‐
water), their numbers will most likely significantly increase.
If you missed out on this year’s survey make sure to make a note to check out
the dates for next year. Surveys can be submiFed by post or can be
conveniently filled out online at the Landcare Research website.
More informa8on on the garden bird survey, including analysis of long-­‐term
survey results can be found at hFp://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/
plants-­‐animals-­‐fungi/animals/birds/garden-­‐bird-­‐surveys

Plants to a`ract
naVve birds
Harakeke/Flax
Harakeke/Flax. The first European
traders called it "flax" because its
fibres were similar to that of true flax
found in other parts of the world.
Though we sVll call it flax today,
harakeke is really a lily. It is unique to
New Zealand and is one of our oldest
plant species. Tui, bellbirds,
saddlebacks, short tailed bats, geckos
and several types of insects enjoy
nectar from the flax flower. It flowers
spring to summer. Available in many
hybrid forms from most garden centres
it can be very a`racVve in the garden.
The Omahuta forest lies to the west
of the more famous Puketi forest in
Northland and has some treasures of its
own. The tree above is called Hokianga and
is the 8th largest kauri in NZ.
KCC News
The kids at the second KCC Leaf Olympics
in Hagley Park celebrated the magic of
leaves. Events were greatly enjoyed by
par8cipants who made their own shot-­‐put
balls then fired them. They jumped,
rolled, buried the adults, and searched for
treasure to name a few ac8vi8es under
the direc8on of volunteer parent Steve
Muir. Many thanks Steve we look forward
to the third Leaf Olympics!
The Rangitata River, in the high country, is
a great place to fish, rae, hike, take photos,
watch birds and botanise. Rose Clucas
treated us to some of our seldom seen
na8ve galaxia and upland bully species.
She also neFed eels, a perch and a trout
for the kids to see them close up. We saw
Three Great Places to find a Kauri
The Yakas tree in the Waipoua forest is
named after a Dalmatian gum digger who
knew of the tree for many years but only
revealed this wonder’s location to the public
in 1966. This is the 7th largest kauri in NZ.
salmon swimming up river to spawn and
a few that had already made their redds
and died. The RDR showed us another
side of the river. Demonstra8ng how
much water is removed for human
ac8vity, namely hydro electricity and
irriga8on of the Canterbury Plains. An
enjoyable weekend for all.
Leh and aboveThe dead slamon
didn't smell so good! Rose led
the kids through the didymo
check and cleaning process.
If you would like more
informa8on about KCC
please call Eleanor 332
9746 or email
bissell@actrix.co.nz.
Victoria Park does have at least two
Kauri trees. Both are young examples
but still good fun to try and find with
the kids. They are within 100 metres of
the visitor centre towards Bowenvale.

Forest & Bird NaVonal Conference 2012
This year two delegates from the North Canterbury branch made their way to Wellington to a`end the NaVonal Conference
below they give us their accounts of the highlights and most important messages that were given to our members.
Lesley Shand
With over a thousand members, the North Canterbury Branch gets 2 delegates. Forest and Bird has more than 50 branches and
most of them were represented at the annual June Conference, which was followed by the Forest and Bird’s A.G.M. This 8me
Lesley Shand and Greg BenneF were your representa8ves on Council at the Forest and Bird A.G.M.
Te Papa was the 2012 F&B Conference Venue, and it seemed to me, there was a star-­‐studded line up of speakers.
I personally was excited at the prospect of listening, in flesh to, F&B’s keynote speaker, Gareth Morgan. In January Gareth
Morgan had sold his Kiwi Saver and Investment Business to Kiwi Bank. In May he’d challenged the government to provide
beFer planning rules to allocate marine space in places like the Marlbough Sounds.
To me, I was sad, because he did not live up to my expecta8ons. He began his address by decrying conserva8onists concerns
that certain fish stocks were being depleted, quo8ng the lack of concern by the independent, “Marine Stewardship Council”.
Personally I felt his faith in the, “Marine Stewardship Council,” was misplaced knowing the concerns, many knowledgeable
people/scien8sts had about fish species’ deple8on or collapse.
I also found myself reflec8ng and wondering. Official fisheries observers are only on a modest % of fishery vessels in the hoki
and southern blue whi8ng fisheries, and they report by far the greatest bycatch of fur seals. Yet all fishing vessels are legally
obliged to report bycatch of marine animals.
Gareth Morgan then cri8cized sincere Forest and Bird members for not being facts based, but presented few facts, to back his
point of view. He then proceeded to use buzz words, like climate change, but I waited for him to men8on indigenous
biodiversity, or even biodiversity. I knew most Forest and Bird members there had spent much of their lives trying to improve
indigenous biodiversity in their local area. Sadly although this topic was of high interest, and worth exploring, it was not
touched on. He was accurately reported in the paper, but were his cri8cisms of conserva8onists jus8fied?
-­‐I’ll leave you to judge this.
Another topic that really excited me was: Predator Free NZ. F&B ‘s Nicola Toki [nee Vallance] presented the vision of a predator
free NZ. She brought us up to date with this vision. 20 scien8sts/experts had gathered during this winter, to consider the
ques8on of predator eradica8on and whether it was only a dream, or really a possibly. Those experts believed it possible, even
if it takes 50 years to get the last predator.
I was given great hope for the future by the aspira8ons by TV personality, Te Radar who convened a group of 6 young
conserva8onists who had a very varied focus. They were from high schools, or representa8ve groups with a commitment to
conserva8on, or university students. They had all had a passionate interest at promo8ng nature, but their focus might include
biodiversity, the Antarc8c, or sub-­‐Antarc8c Islands, also a cultural shie from fossil fuel dependency. One lad, with a ton of
personality, had appointed himself “Campaign Manager” for seeing the saddleback and won F&B’s Bird of the Year
compe88on!
Dame Anne Salmon, the anthropologist, NZ historian and writer gave the Sanderson Memorial address. She obviously had a
passion for conserva8on, and described an area near Gisborne, where she had been involved for about 12 years, restoring and
enhancing habitats for beFer protec8on of indigenous species.
This year at the AGM there was no elec8on of members to the execu8ve, as there was exactly the same number of candidates
to places on the execu8ve to be filled. Your North Canterbury candidates had it easy this year.

Greg Benne`
I arrived at the conference on Friday night in 8me to catch a panel discussion with six young conserva8onists and aptly
facilitated by Te Radar with the main theme examining the idea of intergenera8onal thee. The theory proposes that current
genera8ons, through exploita8on of resources, are effec8vely stealing from the next and future genera8ons. Thought
provoking stuff to start the conference off.
A highlight of the Conference was hearing Gareth Morgan's keynote speech. I had been looking forward to this; I have followed
Gareth's exploits for some 8me now. I highly recommend his balanced look at the climate change debate in his book Poles
Apart and I recently donated $20 to his Million Dollar Mouse Campaign to finally rid the Anitpodes Islands of rodents. I have at
the top of my reading list his take on the fishing issues: Hook Line and Blinkers. Gareth gave a 15 minute speech that generated
some media interest with about 30 seconds of the more controversial aspects making TV One news. Whilst we don't all
necessarily agree with Gareth's views he shows that he is interested and he does research his topics before offering comment.
Rather than report here what he said in his keynote speech I recommend visi8ng his website and read his blog on the
environment and climate change: hFp://garethsworld.com/not-­‐so-­‐pure to get his views from the horse’s mouth. Go to the
Forest & Bird conference website to hear his full speech.
Both Gareth and Te Radar were not obliged to stay for the remainder of the conference aeer mee8ng their commitments but
to their credit both of them did stay and showed real interest in the topics that followed.
Truly inspira8onal was a series of speeches and panel discussion by some of our primary producers including current na8onal
president Bruce Wills who recently was the subject of TV's Country Calendar. The Kiwi Fruit industry was represented by
Alistair Mowat who focused on the environmental impacts of kiwifruit produc8on. Dan Steele the owner of Blue Duck Sta8on,
a working sheep & beef sta8on at Owhango which also is home to a popula8on of whio, shared his experiences hFp://
www.blueducksta8on.co.nz/ and my favourite was Jeff Williams, a self-­‐styled “biological farmer” who owned and operated a
conven8onal dairy farm for many years un8l having his “ah ha” moment when realising that; “Man, despite his ar8s8c
preten8ons, his sophis8ca8on and his many accomplishments, owes his existence to a six inch layer of top soil and the fact
that it rains.” Jeff started looking aeer his soil using biological inputs rather than synthe8c fer8lisers with astounding results.
His methods were showcased recently in issue 23 of Good magazine and well worth a read. It is very interes8ng to note that
he reduced stock numbers to 1980 levels and reduced his farm income by $200,000 per year but has saved farm costs by
$400,000 per year.
There were many other interes8ng speakers. The always eloquent Tami8 Kruger told the tragic history of the Tuhoe people and
the Te Urewera Na8onal park. Parliamentary Commissioner of the environment Dr Jan Wright gave a brief overview of the
issues that her commission have been dealing with. She posed an interes8ng ques8on: Would the damming of the Mokihinui
be acceptable if the trade-­‐off were to be that mammalian pests were managed throughout the South Island?
There were many other highlights of the conference that are too numerous to men8on here but I recommend visi8ng the
conference website: hFp://www.forestandbird.org.nz/conference2012 to get a full report. The best part of the whole
conference was to meet and swap stories with like minded people from all over the country.
ELEANOR BISSELL: OLD BLUE
It was announced at the Forest and Bird annual conference that Eleanor Bissell had been
awarded the society’s highest honour, an Old Blue. Eleanor has been an inspira8onal force in
North Canterbury running the local KCC branch for more than 15 years and working 8relessly on
local restora8on projects. Despite being forced from her home by the earthquakes Eleanor has
con8nued to contribute generously with her 8me for North Canterbury Forest and Bird. Jane
Demeter, who works with Eleanor in KCC, says Eleanor Bissell's enthusiasm, energy and passion
stand out. "She is incredibly empathe8c with children, the kids love her. She is incredibly
crea8ve”. Ann Graeme, KCC Na8onal Coordinator, says of her “She is a natural leader, to watch
her with children is quite a revela8on. She had been a teacher and this shows in the way she
presents things in imagina8ve way”
In North Canterbury we have known for a long 8me what a treasure Eleanor is and now the
whole country knows as well. Warmest congratula8ons on this well-­‐deserved award.

Avon-­‐Otakaro
Pe88on
On 2 nd May former Bexley residents
Allan and Helen Campbell, with
Avon-­‐Otakaro Network co-­‐chair
Mark Gibson, delivered a pe88on to
Christchurch MPs Lianne Dalziel and
Eugenie Sage on the steps of
Parliament. The pe88on, signed by
more than 18,500 Christchurch
people asks Parliament “to work
with the people and local
authori8es of Christchurch to
ensure that the Avon River red zone
becomes a reserve and river park
when the homeowners have to
leave.”
More than 1000 sheets of flax
paper were used to create the two
large volumes
The day before the two hand-­‐bound
volumes of the pe88on were
carried up the Avon River to its
Avonhead source, and then to the
airport. A symbolic journey
emphasising the river’s role in
uni8ng the city.
Good Tuna, Bad Tuna
Karlie Thomas
Oceans campaigner
Greenpeace NZ
World Oceans Day – a day to celebrate all that the oceans give us and we marked
the day by giving two NZ companies a sustainability award.
The oceans provide us with food, jobs and the very oxygen we breathe -­‐ if we are to
survive on this planet, we need living oceans. However, decades of overfishing,
destruc8ve fishing and pollu8on is altering our oceans forever and threatening their
capacity to sustain us. For example, here in NZ most of New Zealand’s canned tuna
comes from the Pacific which, un8l recently, had the world's last healthy tuna
fisheries. But these too are now under threat from overfishing and destruc8ve fishing
methods. But there is hope!
GOOD TUNA
More and more tuna brands around the world are taking responsibility by saying no
to tuna caught this way and instead suppor8ng more sustainable fishing methods.
Here in NZ these ‘greener’ FAD-­‐free tuna products are being sold in New Zealand
thanks to Pams and Fish 4 Ever. It takes leadership and commitment to move
towards the sustainable fishing methods essen8al to protec8ng our oceans for the
next genera8ons -­‐-­‐ so it’s great to see some kiwi companies doing the right thing! So
if you get any canned tuna, look for pole and line caught tuna like PAMS or Fish 4
Ever.
BAD TUNA
NZ’s biggest canned tuna company Sealord is s8lling buying its tuna from vessels
using destruc8ve fishing methods which leaves threatened sharks, juvenile tuna and
even turtles dead in its wake as this video shows. But they too will have to make the
switch to good tuna if they hear from enough people that it’s 8me to change their
tuna. For more informa8on. hFp://www.greenpeace.org/new-­‐zealand
WEBSITES OF INTEREST
Birds of Christchurch and Canterbury
A site for people interested in bird conservation in Canterbury
This site is dedicated to the wildlife of
Christchurch and Canterbury. The inten8on of
the site is to raise public awareness and
enjoyment by sharing knowledge. Here you
can find informa8on about the species found
in this region. You can also view daily updates
of the latest sigh8ngs for birds and other
wildlife.
Subscribe to this site for free you and you will
receive any new reports as soon as they are
published.
The web site is dedicated to the
birds of Canterbury and provides
lis8ngs of observa8ons and
informa8on regarding first arrival
and departure dates of migrant
species. Birds of interest or counts
are published and subscribers are
invited to contribute and submit
data and photographs. If you would
like more informa8on then email
Niall.mugan@gmail.com
(Independent Ornithologist).

Perfect camouflage
NEW ZEALAND
STICK INSECTS
The are 3000 species of
stick insect worldwide and at
least 23 species that are
indigenous to New Zealand.
The stick insect comes
from the insect order
Phasmatodea which gains its
name from the Greek word
for phantom.
Stick insects generally feed
after dark on a range of native
and non-native vegetation.
Birds are their main
predator and generally hunt
by sight. Stick insects have
evolved and natural selection
has driven them to develop
the most extreme form of
camouflage.
When threatened stick
insects will fall to the ground
and can play dead for hours.
Stick insects are able to
practice parthenogenesis
which means they can
reproduce without males.
Argosarchus horridus is
New Zealand’s largest stick
insect. The females can be 20
centimetres long.
Maori names for stick
insects include ro, whe and
wairaka. They play a part in
Maori tradition. Some stories
claim that a stick insect
landing on a woman meant
she was pregnant. Another
says that if one falls on you in
the forest then you have
entered a sacred site.
August in the forest with Chris Horne and Barbara Metcalfe.
Ongaonga, tree ne`le, Ur#ca ferox.
Our well-­‐known NZ s8nging neFle, ongaonga, Ur#ca ferox, is one of over 1000 species in the
worldwide neFle family, Ur8caceae. It is one of nine indigenous NZ neFle species. Not all neFle
species s8ng -­‐ many have medicinal proper8es; some can be eaten, providing a good source of Vitamin
C, and NZ and non-­‐NZ neFle species are hosts for red admiral buFerflies. But before we go any further
-­‐ yes, the substance injected at your slightest touch, by ongaonga's “hypodermics”, (technically,
s8nging hairs), is a potent, nerve toxin. It causes the vic8m's body to react instantly with an extreme
histamine response. Too much of it has proved fatal to humans and some animals, dogs and horses in
par8cular. Most trampers are likely to have experienced the acute pins-­‐and-­‐needles 8ngling,
alterna8ng with numbness, which can last intermiFently for 2 – 3 days, aeer an encounter with
ongaonga. You can use an8histamine ointment from your first aid kit to reduce these symptoms, but if
respiratory or muscular coordina8on symptoms occur, seek medical help. Infants and young children
need to be kept well away from ongaonga. Make a point of teaching children, and visitors to NZ, to
recognise this twiggy shrub which grows from 1 to 3 m high, oeen found in sunny places at bush
margins. Its pale green, serrated leaves are usually c.12 cm long by 3-­‐5 cm wide, and the minute
flowers are crowded on fine, dangling twigs. Leaves and stems are armed with white, s8nging hairs,
each hair fed by a 8ny bladder of toxin. Keep an eye out for Ur#ca incisa, another NZ s8nging neFle
species common around Wellington, looking just like a small version of Ur#ca ferox.
Chris Horne and Barbara Metcalfe are members of the Tararua Tramping Club and they have kindly
allowed us to reproduce this informaVon from their newsle`er.
Why I am on the NC
Forest and Bird
Commi`ee?
Conserva8on and the
outdoors have always been
a strong interest, ever since
my days as a member of my
high school tramping club in
Taranaki. In the distant days
of John Bull boots, Mountain
Mules and leaky japara parkas,
Ainslie Talbot
when New Zealand was another country, and flat whites didn’t
exist. So aeer years of family membership of F & B I felt an
overwhelming sense of guilt and responsibility at 4 a.m. one
frosty morning, following a phone call from a friend who is on
the execu8ve. Another reason is that years ago our two
daughters really enjoyed KCC ac8vi8es which were a
wonderfully enjoyable introduc8on to Canterbury, aeer
escaping Auckland down Highway 1. More recently I have been
involved with the admirably determined efforts of Chairperson
Lesley at the historic Boyle Base in the Lewis Pass (well worth a
visit!), enjoying good humoured discussion, and bets, aeer a
day trying to deal to stoats and rats. My nine years of
experience on the Canterbury-­‐Aoraki Conserva8on Board also
meant I have been involved with a range of conserva8on
issues, wri8ng submissions and reviewing management plans.
Strangely, I enjoyed most of my 8me on the Board, which
doesn’t seem to be always the case. In contrast to my weird
enjoyment of submissions and management plans, the rest of
my concerns are more normal, trying to maintain and enhance
environmental and conserva8on baselines; and making people
more aware of what is happening ‘out there’ in the hinterland.
Just dismissing environmental threats, by saying we are doing
beFer than the rest of an increasingly polluted and exploited
world is complacent ‘short-­‐termism’, and unfortunately
misinformed and incorrect.
GREAT PLACES
TO VISIT
The Hurunui
Mainland Island
The Hurunui extends above
Lake Sumner to its source at
Harpers Pass. It is an area
that has been targeted by
DOC for special a`enVon
and the results seem
impressive. Birdlife is
healthy in the area even
through winter and a variety
of species can be seen and
heard. Bellbirds, tomVt,
rifleman, kereru and even
kakariki live in this beauVful
valley. Access requires some
walking but the area has
good huts and well marked
routes. It is well known as
one of Canterbury’s most
prisVne beech forests.

KERERU WINDOW STRIKES
The main reasons that birds collide with the windows is that they have reflec8ve or transparent glass: A window reflecVng
the natural habitat appears to the bird to be an extension of that habitat. OR The transparent glass causes the birds to hit
unseen windows on their way to some visual target on the other side. Some8mes that illusion is enhanced by a mirror
opposite the window which gives the impression, of a safe gap through.
Firstly iden8fy problem ,windows that are highly transparent, or reflec8ve or have targets inside for birds. eg potplants
You could consider installing curtains, blinds, or louvres to
reduce the reflec8ons. Place s8ckers or designs on the
windows.eg wind-­‐chimes. Plant small trees or shrubs to reduce
the reflec8on and create a barrier. Hang objects around the
windows that cause concern. Some of these solu8ons may be
good for a bach which may be vacant for periods of 8me.
Windows can have special s8ckers that reflect ultraviolet light
which birds can see, but humans can’t. Also try these websites
for a solu8on:
www.windowalert.com
hFp://www.wpines.com
www.featherguard.com
COMMENT FROM THE CHAIR
Fascina8ng to me, and reflec8ng my own thoughts, are the views of a world leading landscape architect expert,
Professor Robert Flayer. He too feels a real level of connec8on to his environment. He is “passionate about his belief that
knowing where we are and why we are there is integral to crea#ng true sustainability and a more secure future. In a quiet
non-­‐fana#c way”, he believes that “discovering the depth of where we are is the an#dote to our rootless, stressful, modern
lives and the key to caring about our landscape.’’ He admires spiritual aFachment to land. He considers that ”People who
stay in one place may come to know that place more deeply and will in turn care about it more deeply. People who care
about a place are more likely to take beDer care of it and people who take care of place, are the key to the future of
humanity and all living creature. Canterbury based landscape architect Di Lucas and botanists, Colin Meurk and Hugh
Wilson demonstrate that commitment to Canterbury. Many people move for work, with choices determined by the best job.
That may not be where the heart is happiest. He thinks that commitment to a place is kind of like a wedding vow, whereby a
person promises to stay in one place and take care of it. He acknowledges that some people treat their lives as an extended
holiday, never go home, and many never find a place to call home. He considers that absentee landlordism is one of the
worst factors in the world today. He also conjectures “to not be commiDed where your assets are is not a good thing for the
state of landscapes, or environments of the world”. He quotes Minnesota where only families and family companies can own
farms. Corporate farm ownership is banned. Food for thought. What do you think? Would this be desirable in Canterbury, or
would we even wish to do this here? Maybe many people have shown their love for Christchurch by staying here?
[Thayer, has wriFen numerous ar8cles and 2 books.
LifePlace won Sierra Club’s Best Environmental Book Award for California Mother Lode in 2004 He lives in a solar community
at Davis, teaching at Davis University rising to emeritus professor]
Financial note from our Treasurer
The branch has few sources of income, and one of these is the annual sale of Forest and Bird calendars and diaries. Printed by
Craig PoFon Publishing, both calendar and diary are collec8ons of superb NZ nature photographs. Presumably Craig makes
some money from the prin8ng, the branch makes some money from the resale, and our members can either indulge their own
ar8s8c senses or easily obtain Christmas presents for discrimina8ng but difficult friends and rela8ons.
My term as treasurer has now concluded and the role is being taken over by Ainslie Talbot. Not only is Ainslie very numerate
and well organised, but he is also a professional man of leFers. Therefore, the branch’s finances will be in excellent hands and
these liFle polemics will become far more coherent. So thank you and all the best, John McLaughlin.
The ghostly mark of a Kereru on a window.

CONSERVATION CALENDAR 2013
Recommended
Retail Price
$17.99
Your price
Featuring images of both wildlife and wilderness
habitat from New Zealand’s extraordinary natural
heritage and conservation areas.
Weighs less than 200 g for economical postage.
Envelope included.
NEW ZEALAND CONSERVATION DIARY 2013
Recommended
Retail Price
$24.99
Your price
$15.00
$23.00
January 2013
S U N D A Y M O N D A Y T U E S D A Y W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y F R I D A Y S A T U R D A Y
December 2012
SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT
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9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
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February 2013
www.forestandbird.org.nz
SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28
This beautifully produced diary includes
photographs of New Zealand landscapes,
plants and wildlife. It includes ‘week to view’
pages and is spiral bound so it will lie flat
when open.
1 2 3 4 5
New Year’s Day Day after New Year’s Day
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Wellington & Southland
Anniversary
27 28 29 30 31
Northland & Auckland
Anniversary
A male kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, off Stewart Island.
Almost all these critically endangered flightless native parrots now live on the pest-free
havens of Whenua Hou/Codfish and Anchor islands.
Photo: Mark Carwardine/hedgehoghouse.com
'Free delivery in Christchurch; for delivery outside Christchurch please add $2 per order'.
Please contact John McLaughlin (see North Canterbury Branch contacts below)

The Useful Information page
North Canterbury Branch
Chair
Lesley Shand
03-­‐379 0316
wayleggo13@xtra.co.nz
Secretary
Rachel Hurford:
rachelmhurford@yahoo.com
Treasurer
Ainslie Talbot:
03 – 355 4409
KCC Coordinator
Eleanor Bissell
Home: 337 1209
Fax:337 1261
bissell@actrix.co.nz
Newsle`er
Jon Land Email:
jonland@snap.net.nz
Commi`ee
Greg BenneF:
greg.benneF@xnet.co.nz
Cathie Brumley:
cathieb@paradise.net.nz
Vanessa Green:
ness.green@gmail.com
AnneFe & Michael HambleF:
03 – 365 0560
John McLaughlin:
j.mclaughlin@xtra.co.nz
Colleen Philip: 03 – 981 8556
Jean Tompkins:
jeanjeane@gmail.com
E-­‐Mail Addresses Please
We are very happy to send a printed
copy of the newsleFer to our
members, but if some of these could
be sent electronically we will save
8me, money and trees! You will
then get the newsleFer in colour
and can even forward it on to
friends and make them join.
Forest & Bird Membership
Single, Family, Nonprofit Group
$57 Senior Ci8zen, Senior Family
$45 Student, School Library $45
Overseas NZ $95
Forest & Bird
The Green Room
This chat room is a forum for everyone
whatever shade of green to share their
green ambi8ons, 8ps and thoughts.
Visit the website or click on the links
below.
hFp://forum.forestandbird.org.nz
FROM THE EDITOR
We want to hear your views
and recommenda8ons. If you
have a favorite place, know
where to see great birds or
trees, if you have something
you want to tell the members
of Forest and Bird North
Canterbury, have a date for the
diary or a photo you would like
to share then please make your
submission to
jonland@snap.net.nz
If you need a paper copy you only
need to press the PRINT buFon
Kiwi Conserva8on Club
Junior $19 Junior (overseas) $40
Family and school membership,
please enquire ph 0800 200 064
We welcome new members
Applica8ons for membership
and / or payment of subs can be
made to Forest & Bird Central
Office
P O Box 631Wellington 6140
office@forestandbird.org.nz
Enquiries ph 0800 200 064
www.forestandbird.org.nz
Forest and Bird is on YouTube
hFp://www.youtube.com/user/
forestandbird
If you have an email address and
would like to receive your
newsleFer and mee8ng reminders
by email, please send your name or
address or phone number or F&B
membership number to:
NorthCanterbury.Branch@forestand
bird.org.nz
Please put ‘F&B newsleFer’ in the
subject line.

Dates for the Diary
Saturday 1 September | Calders Green Reserve restoraVon, Ferrymead
We’re having a na8ve plan8ng and maintenance workday at Forest and Bird’s Calders Green Reserve next to
the Heathcote Estuary in Ferrymead. Volunteers are needed to plant na8ves, and also assist with clearing,
weeding and watering the plants. It’s a fun day and all are welcome!
Please wear sturdy shoes and bring warm clothes and a snack. If you have gumboots, spade, fork, grubber,
wheelbarrow, gloves etc bring them along too. Juice and treats to follow plan8ng.
For more informa8on, contact Colleen Philip (981 8556 or 021 0285 1679).
This project is registered on The Concert website www.theconcert.co.nz, so if you sign up on the website and
then volunteer for four hours you will get a 8cket to The Concert, to be held at Addington stadium in
November!
Wednesday 12 September | Public MeeVng: Christchurch -­‐ Eco-­‐City of the Future
Colin Meurk gives us an insight into his vision for the future of Christchurch.
Wednesday 19 October | Public MeeVng: Boyle Base Stoat Trapping & Monitoring update
Lesley Shand will provide an update on the stoat trapping and monitoring programme in the Lewis Pass area
which has been running for a few years now.
26-­‐28 October | South Island Gathering
This year’s South Island Gathering will be held in Invercargill. Further details closer to the 8me.
Wednesday 14 November | Public MeeVng: NZ’s 100% pure clean green delusion
Come and hear the real facts on New Zealand’s stark environmental and biodiversity reality which are hidden
from most New Zealanders. Dr Mike Joy will discuss the reasons for this, what the decline will cost us if we
don’t change, and what we need to do to see some improvement.
Saturday 17 November | Travis Wetland Workday
We will be working in the F & B willows area where we planted 75 kahikatea in 1996.
9.00am 8ll BBQ lunch at 11.15 (courtesy of CCC)
Meet at the CCC informa8on centre off Beach Road and bring gumboots hat and drink and warm jacket (tools
and gloves will be provided). Contact Valerie on (03) 3805087 for further informa8on.
23-­‐25 November | Heavenly Hinewai -­‐ Annual field trip to Banks Peninsula
This is one of Banks Peninsula's best kept secrets -­‐ over 1200 ha of regenera8ng na8ve forest & remnants of
old-­‐growth forest in a spectacular loca8on above Akaroa.
There are a number of op8ons for the field trip: 1. Come for the weekend, there is space for 12 people at
Hinewai Lodge for Friday and Saturday nights, and more room for camping. Space is limited so please contact
us if you want to stay in the Lodge. 2. Come for the day on the Saturday. Aim to arrive for morning tea at 10am.
Contact Steve Pitman (s.pitman@xtra.co.nz) to book or for more informa8on.
7-­‐9 December | Christmas Trip to Boyle Base Hut, Lewis Pass
Our Christmas Trip this year will be a weekend to Boyle Base Hut in Lewis Pass. All members welcome! There
will be a variety of walks, ac8vi8es and day trips as well as a BBQ and Christmas Party on the Saturday night.
The hut sleeps 8 and there is plenty of flat space for tents. The area around the hut is fenced so is fine for kids.
To book or for further informa8on please contact Vanessa Green (ness.green@gmail.com, 021 0255 6918).

Forest and Bird North Canterbury Branch
P O Box 2389, Christchurch 8140