Te Puke Branch – September 2013 Newsletter - Forest and Bird

Te Puke Forest & Bird
P.O.Box 326, Te Puke
Te Puke Branch – September 2013 Newsletter
Indoor evening meetings
Monday 16th September
Back to the Future
Carole Long speaks on the history of Te Puke Forest &
Bird, with stories of local conservation campaigns over
the past 30 years. We look forward to seeing you there.
7.30 p.m. at Masonic Lodge, Oxford Street, Te Puke.
Monday 18th November
Special film screening: Thin Ice
With climate scientists being attacked for the integrity of
their work, Thin Ice producer and director Simon Lamb
embarked in 2006 on a six-year journey to four continents,
documenting scientists working in fields as diverse as paleontology,
physics, oceanography and computer science.
“The main message of the film is that climate scientists are like
any other scientists – and they can be trusted because their quest
is to understand the planet’s climate as fully and accurately as
possible,” said Lamb, who has a doctorate in geology from
Cambridge University.
This documentary film is a joint project of Oxford University
and New Zealand’s Victoria University.
Free entry and all welcome.
7.30 p.m. at Masonic Lodge, Oxford Street, Te Puke.
Conservation Heros
Carole Long, recently awarded a Distinguished Life Member
of Forest & Bird, has been an ardent conservationist
for most of her 71 years. Inheriting her father’s conservation
ethic at an early age, she went on to work for the Wildlife Service
and the Department of Conservation, and for the last 34
years has been an indefatigable member of Forest & Bird.
Carole has been involved in some of the country’s most
prominent conservation battles, including
the Save Manapouri campaign in the 1970s
and the establishment of Whirinaki Forest
Park in 1984.
“Once you take an interest in the environment,
you realise you can’t just enjoy
it, you have to work to look after it so it’s
there for the next generation,” Carole says.
Recent Rambles
Summer Camp at Mt Ruapaehu
Friday 25 to Monday 28 January
This year’s summer camp we stayed at Forest & Bird’s Mt.
Ruapehu lodge, which has been rebuilt after burning down
in 2008. It’s very nice, and quite big.
Everyone arrived on Friday to settle in for the weekend’s
adventures, although some people went for a short climb up
past Happy Valley to enjoy alpine foliage and dainty flowers.
On Saturday morning we got up bright and early for our
6 hour walk to the Tama Lakes. Along the way we came to a
beautiful mossy forest – just like Fanghorn Forest in the Lord
of the Rings – followed by alpine shrubs and rocky landscapes.
The first lake was a spectacular clear blue, with sandy beaches
and cliffs all round. My friend Sarah was tired and scared by
the distinctive eruptive noise and sulphur smell. John McDonald
told us the booms were the Korean Army practicing near
the mountain.
Most of us went for a swim in the surprisingly warm-ish lake,
then made our way on the long walk back. On the way Dad,
John, Brooklyn and I had a swim in a waterfall – this time it
was shiver material!
Sunday was much easier, with just three hours for most of
us. We came across three blue ducks playing on the rocks in the
water just below the bridge behind the camp-ground. We also
saw a huge green
hooded orchid
and lots of smaller
ones, and saw and
learnt about native
dandelions.
That afternoon
we all went down

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to the information centre and watched some Maori legends that
made up the stories of the land. It was pretty interesting, though
Sarah fell asleep – from exhaustion most likely!
On Monday there was no walking, just a gorgeous view
from the chairlift all the way up to the snowy peaks, where we
snow enthusiasts
threw snowballs –
which completely
stopped the blood
flow in our fingers.
Then we had
sandwiches from
the deck of the
highest restaurant
in New Zealand
and enjoyed the
sun, which was
so hot that even
shorts were too
warm. We thoroughly enjoyed the ride down, taking in a brilliant
view of Mt. Egmont.
On the way home, the Dowmans and our family had a swim
in Lake Rotopounamu, and saw native grey duck and brown
teal, which we were lucky to see as they are elusive birds.
We’re all looking forward to next year’s
camp. Many thanks to all those who organized it.
It was awesome fun!
Petra Reid, aged 12 years
Mangorewa Gorge
Saturday 16th February
We only walked five minutes before the first stream crossing.
It wasn’t too deep but I managed to land in the
freezing cold stream and had wet feet for a while. Half an hour
later we had climbed up a big hill and sat on the top to have
morning tea and to listen to the robins.
In one of the little clearings some giant trees had been
blown over in the wind and left huge circles in the ground
where they had ripped out.
While we walked, Cathy and Dorothy quizzed us on all the
plants and bushes.
Some of the stuff
I learnt about was
toru, a red and green
tree, mangemange,
with the longest leaf
in the world, and
tanekaha, the celery
pine.
After walking
an hour uphill, we
got to the campsite
where we had
lunch and everyone
collapsed onto the
ground for a rest.
We lay in the sun for
about an hour, before
hitting the trail
again.
On the way back 5 people went for a swim in the FREEZ-
ING stream, including me and my friend Petra.
The most exciting thing on the trip was a massive tree fallen
down across a stream bed. The log was about 4 metres above
the ground. Petra, my mum, my sister and I all walked across
the log (a lot of screaming was involved).
We learnt loads of really interesting things
from all the people on the trip, and thanks to
Cathy for organising it.
Sky Davies, aged 13 years
Humphries Bay & Lake Tarawera boat trip
Sunday 24th March
Wow, that’s
the biggest
flashest boat I’ve
ever been on. This
is where we started
our journey – after
cruising across
Lake Tarawera on a
beautiful sunny day
to Humphries Bay.
Backing up carefully
to a rock, we
all jumped out and began our walk. “Wasps, wasps, wasps!”
the word got passed back. Not exactly the news you would like
to hear. “Eow! Eow!” I got stung twice and they really hurt.
Mum put on some spray that helps with stings. I think it
helped a little but I wasn’t the only one that got stung. A little
bit later we came down a hill and out on to a beautiful mossy
area with the track swerving through the trees. Someone had
made a little tepee out of sticks, only just big enough to fit me!
Dodging past one of the many wasps nests I spotted something
moving just in front of me – a wallaby! “Dad can you see
it?” Dad was fumbling around with his camera trying to get a
photo of it, but it ran away.
We saw and heard a few different types of birds such as the
tomtit, robin, grey warbler, tui, bellbird and fantail. I didn’t see
them myself, but they were heard.
When my tummy rumbled we stopped for lunch at a place
right next to the lake. The moss was bone dry and a good seat.
After eating my egg sandwich and other goodies we checked
the map – we were over half way.
A couple more wasp attacks and we were at the Tarawera
Outlet beach ready for a swim in the cold refreshing water. It
was nice, but Finn, my brother, and Dad wouldn’t come in!
The flash boat collected us and brought us
calmly home. It was a great day full of walking,
wasp stings and wallabies, and I enjoyed every
bit of it.
Roseanna Russell, aged 11 years

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Fungus day at Otanewainuku
Saturday, 22 June
John! Don’t touch those magic mushrooms...
Life at the Beach: Crabby fun
Saturday 9th February
Ann Graeme, who writes and edits our Wild Things magazine,
talked to us about shark finning. We did the shark fin
pose below for photos for the KCC magazine number 117.
KCC trips
Lake Okareka Board Walk
Sunday 28th October 2012
Despite rain being forecast
the sun shone on us during
our walk along the Lake Okeraka
boardwalk. The easy terrain gave
very young members of KCC an
opportunity to walk along the
lake’s stunning shoreline.
We visited the purpose built
observation maimai with information
for identifying wetland bird
species. We saw paradise ducks
and some Canadian geese which
had made a farm paddock their
temporary home.
On the return trip we saw some signets with their Mum in
the distance swimming on the lake.
Sharyn Heayns
Otanewainuku Un-Nature trail
Tuesday 23rd April, 2013
KCC went on a bush walk up Mt Otanewainuku finding
hard mystery-solving clues – stuff you wouldn’t normally
find in the bush. We found a peg, pen, egg carton, glasses, notebook,
coat hanger, hair brush, bucket, glass jar, a tennis ball
and a whole lot more. Everyone’s legs felt like they were going
to collapse like dominoes before we were up the
top. I looked around the mountain and saw an
awesome view.
I had a really fun day and I learnt what things
are not supposed to be in the bush.
Isabelle Amott, aged 9 years
We saw a black, squishy, slimy sea slug the size of about 4
tennis balls – Scutus breviculus – or the duck’s bill limpet. The
duck’s bill refers to the shape of the shell hidden inside its sluglike
body. We all had a touch of it and it was gross because it
was really slimy.
We found a LOT of different types of crabs and Ann
showed us how to identify the gender of them. When you look
at the underside of the female crab, they have a half circle
pocket for storing eggs. The male just has a triangular underside.
We saw whelks feeding, rasping themselves
onto their prey to feed. We found bubble shells, a
date mussel shell and even some small flounder.
Romy Heayns, aged 8 years
Petrels at the Mount
Saturday 11th May
It was a freezing cold night. I had
two scarves, my jeans and my
woolly jacket on as our KCC group
climbed the Mount. Ornithologist
Paul Cumins and his helper Ben
stopped us a little way up and Paul
told us interesting facts about the
grey faced petrel, while Ben went
up into the forest to catch some
birds that were on the ground calling
their mates in.
We huddled around in a semicircle,
eager to hold the struggling birds which were weighed
and their bands recorded. After that we carried on up a little
track leading into the bush, where birds called all around us.
The way down seemed much quicker than the way up!
Thank you for a fun and interesting night Paul and Ben.
Pipi Kendal, aged 9 years
In Memoriam
John Singleton
Long standing Te Puke
Forest & Bird committee
member and valued
supporter.
Died 18th July, 2013.

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Monthly Forest & Bird Walks
You don’t have to be a Forest & Bird
member to join in on our walks – or
super-fit either. We walk at botanical speed, so
there’s plenty of time to take in the sights.
Children under 13 years must be
accompanied by an adult. Bring food, jacket,
solid footwear and gold coin donation as a trip
fee. Trip times do not include car drive.
Unless otherwise advised, meet 8.45am
at Boucher Avenue car park below Export
Meat to share transport. Book with the contact person, who
will notify if the trip is cancelled. Car fees are the suggested
payment per passenger to the driver if car pooling. Add the
emergency contact to your cellphone, in case you become lost
during the drive or elsewhere during the trip.
Sunday 29 September. Hamilton Zoo
With New Zealand’s largest free flight avairy, this zoo also
features NZ natives such as skinks, geckos, tuatara and
kakariki. There’s plenty of exotic animals as well.
Spend all day if you like. 2 hours drive each way. Car $17
Red Charles 573 8151
Emergency contact Karen 022 071 9129
Saturday 26 October. Wekas! ( note the date change! )
Two walks in Opotiki. Firstly seeing weka living in a QEII
Trust property, featuring rich puriri, podocarp and beech
forest. Followed by walk around Hukutaia Domain
2 hours followed by 1 hour. Both easy walks.
Add 105 minutes drive each way. Car $15
Dorothy Mutton 573 8152 Emergency 027 606 4285
Friday 8 November. Street Stall
Annual bonanza sale of trees, seedlings, baking & raffles.
All day from 8am to 4pm outside the Te Puke Post Office.
Dorothy Mutton 573 8152
Sunday 24 November. Orchids at Katikati
Wairoa stream off Woodlands Rd, Katikati.
3 hr easy walk. Add 60 minutes drive each way. Car $10
John McDonald 573 5350 Emergency 027 223 4991
2014 events
January Family Camp at Lake Waikaremoana
Friday 24 to Monday 27 January (Anniversary Weekend)
Enjoy a family adventure exploring Lake Waikaremoana,
the hidden jewel of Te Urewera National Park.
Accommodation total: $27 children (to 17yrs) $75 adults.
Add 4 hours drive each way. Bookings essential. Car $35
Cathy Reid 573 9566 Emergency 027 223 4991
Saturday 15 February. Maketu Spit
See restoration of the spit and pest control in action.
Neale Blaymires neale@eol.co.nz 573 4157 Car $3
Emergency contact 021 0234 3524
Walks and activities
Every month Forest & Bird runs trips especially for KCC
children and their families.
You must book beforehand, providing your name, contact
phone number, the number of adults & children – including
their ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cathy Reid, Te Puke KCC Coordinator
Saturday 21st September, 6pm to 7:30pm
Night-life stream study and bat hunt
Red Charles takes us listening for bats with Batbox detectors,
and looking for the night-life in a stream.
Meet: Otawa Lodge at the end of Manoeka Rd, Te Puke.
Bring: Gumboots, warm clothes, torch, a white icecream
container, and a net if you have one. Bring a blanket as well.
Booking: Cathy 573 9566
Emergency contact: 027 223 4991
Sunday 20th October
Walk beside one of the Rotorua Lakes
See the baby water birds.
Meet: Time and meeting place to be advised.
Bring: Lunch
Booking: phone Sharyn Heayns: 542 1789
Emergency contact: 027 620 5003
Sunday 17th November
Penguin Bay, Waihi Beach
A visit to blue penguin nesting caves, part way through to
Orokawa Bay, hopefully to spy on some baby penguins.
Meet: Time and meeting place to be advised.
Bring: A torch
Booking: phone Kate: 576 6510
Emergency contact: 021 254 4037
Your Forest & Bird Committee
Position Name Address Email Phone Mobile
Patron Dorothy Mutton 3 Strathaven Way, Te Puke 3119 dotmutton@clear.net.nz 07 573 8152
Chair & KCC Coord. Cathy Reid 139 Alley Road, RD3, Te Puke 3183 cathy.reid139@gmail.com 07 573 9566 027 223 4991
Secretary Margaret McGarva 1134 Welcome Bay Rd, Te Puke 3187 sunrisenz@kinect.co.nz 07 542 1934
Newsletter editor Neale Blaymires 586 Te Puke Quarry Rd, RD3, Te Puke 3183 neale@eol.co.nz 07 573 4157
Treasurer Neale Blaymires 586 Te Puke Quarry Rd, RD3, Te Puke 3183 neale@eol.co.nz 07 573 4157
Branch Committee: Joyce Bates 51.A Topaz Drive, Papamoa 3118 07 542 2989
Carole Long 27.P / 60 Maranui St, Mt Maunganui carolelong@xtra.co.nz 07 575 2662
Red Charles 114 No.1 Road, Te Puke 3182 bayroadster@clear.net.nz 07 573 8151