gills reserve - Forest and Bird

Kohekohe flowers in Sylvan Park, Milford, June 7. Photos by Philip Moll
AUGUST – DECEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL FOREST AND BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY TIAKI TAIAO, NORTH SHORE BRANCH
WHAT’S ON
Public meetings take place on the first Monday of every month
(excl January).
VENUE: Takapuna Senior Citizens' Hall,
The Strand (behind Takapuna Library).
TIME: 7.45pm.
ADMISSION: Donation / koha (please
give generously).
We'd like to see you there!
AUGUST – Monday 1st
An informative presentation from Wayne Walker, Chair of the
Environment and Sustainability committee. He will outline his
role, the role of the committee and its focus.
SEPTEMBER – Monday 5th
Saving the Planet with political leadership – election debate
With a general election looming, we are holding another riveting
political debate. We have invited politicians from all the major
parties, and have had acceptances from Charles Chauvel (Labour
spokesperson on the environment); Kevin Hague (Green Party) and
expect politicians from National, NZ First and the Maori Party. We will
be challenging them to tell us how they will stop the environmental
degradation of New Zealand and take action on climate change. The
debate will be chaired by our own Claire Stevens. Not to be missed.
OCTOBER – Monday 3rd
Karen Stockin, lecturer in marine ecology at Massey University's
Institute of Natural Sciences will provide us with an insight into
marine mammals in the Hauraki Gulf. Karen is a very enthusiastic
presenter. Don't miss this!
NOVEMBER – Monday 7th
Researcher Margaret Morley, of the Tamaki Estuary Protection
Society, will talk on the Intertidal life of the Tamaki Estuary, a 50km
stretch of water from St Heliers to Eastern Beach. Her presentation
shows how people’s actions have altered the waterway’s ecosystem
in recent years. Freshwater runoff and increasing amounts of mud
from building subdivisions have been deposited in the estuary.
Margaret will also have information on the introduced Asian date
mussel which forms carpet-like colonies that further increase the
build-up of mud in the estuary.
DECEMBER – Monday 5th
TBA. Contact Karen Weallens on 410 1995
STOP PRESS
A $30,000 grant from ASB Community Trust has just been received
for the Tuff Crater project. We can now maintain momentum by
keeping planted areas under control and growing plants for 2012.
TUFF
WORK
DAYS
ACTIVITIES AND TRIPS
SMITHS BUSH RESERVE, NORTHCOTE, July Saturday 23rd. Meet at Onewa
Domain entrance (off Northcote Rd) at 10am. This lovely 40min nature trail
leads through a cathedral grove of giant puriri trees. Large kahikatea and totara
are an added feature of this reserve. We'll look at the effects of traffic pollution
from the northern motorway, weed invasion, pests and discuss some of the
unusual vegetation. If time allows, we may continue on past Awataha Marae
round to Tuff Crater. Any queries please contact Liz
(480 1545) or Anne (480 5570).
MOTUORA ISLAND PLANTING, August
Sunday 28th. 8am sharp. Join us for
an exciting boat trip to the picturesque,
predator-free Motuora Island. We will be
infill-planting native trees. You will have time to take a walk
around the island, or beachcomb. A sausage sizzle and drinks
are provided for lunch, but you will need to bring morning tea.
Remember to wear sturdy shoes and clothing. Pack a variety of
clothing for the weather. Gloves and spades are provided. Catamaran
departs from Sandspit at 8am and returns at 4pm. Although the cost is $20
an adult and $10 a child, there is often a gold coin donation it being the last
planting trip of the season. Book with Jocelyn on 479 2107, jocsanders@
vodafone.co.nz.
MIRANDA - WELCOME THE BIRDS, September Sunday 18th. Meet at
the Shorebird Centre www.miranda-shorebird.org.nz at 9am. We will walk
the approximately 2km to the hide, ariving at 10.26 for the high tide. On
returning to the centre, a member of staff will talk about the migration of
the godwits. Cost $5 pp. Bring lunch and dress for the weather. It is usually
cooler on the coast. If you have binoculars, bring them. Two telescopes will
be available for closer viewing. Stout shoes are recommended. Please register
with Alan Emmerson on 473 2216 or emmo66@xtra.co.nz
WAIHEKE OVERNIGHT TRIP, October Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th.
Leave Devonport on Saturday at 9am. On arrival we will pick up two minivans
and explore the F&B reserve at Matiatia. In the afternoon we will visit the
F&B reserve at Onetangi. We hope to have Waiheke F&B locals to guide us.
Saturday night we will dine in Onetangi, and Sunday morning we will visit
Te Matuku and Goodwin reserves, returning on the 4pm sailing. We have
booked the Waiheke F&B lodge which sleeps eight. Once booked out you will
need to book your own accommodation in Onetangi either Kina Backpackers
www.kinabackpackers.co.nz, phone 372 8971 or Onetangi Beach apartments
www.waiheke.co.nz. Maximum 21 on trip.
Costs: transport $35; lodge $15 or backpackers $32-40. Pay your own ferry
fare (about $30 return), BYO food/drink plus cost of meal out on Saturday
night. Please book early with Richard Hursthouse on 410 5339 or email
richard.hursthouse@xtra.co.nz
AUCKLAND ZOO, November Sunday 27th. The new $16million
development at Auckland Zoo entitled ‘Te Wao Nui’ opens in September. It
highlights NZ and our iconic species. Come along for a tour, enjoy a picnic or
cafe lunch and then take in the Native Encounter at 2pm. This is a chance to
view endemic species up close with a zookeeper from the zoo’s ‘Native’ team.
A special discounted entry price will apply.
Please phone Helene on 480 8851 or email willis24@xtra.co.nz
Tuff Crater is our key restoration project and we need your help! Work varies from weeding to planting:
Aug 11 (Thu 9.30am), Aug 13 (Sat 9am) | Sep 8 (Thu 9.30am), Sep 10 (Sat 9am) | Oct 13 (Thu 9.30am), Oct 15 (Sat 9am) | Nov 10 (Thu 9.30am), Nov 12 (Sat 9am) | Dec 8 (Thu 9.30) Dec 10 (Sat 9am)
To be on the notification list for Tuff work days please email northshore.branch@forestandbird.org.nz or phone Richard (410 5339)
/ Anne (480 5570).