North Canterbury News: January 27, 2022

River bird safety in spotlight
Dog owners are being reminded to keep
their dogs under control to protect
braided river birds.
Last year’s collapse of ablack­billed
gull colony in the upper Waimakariri
River is asobering reminder of the
fragility of braided river birds,
Environment Canterbury (ECan) says.
The collapse is thought to have been
prompted by adog attack and
demonstrates the need to advocate for
and protect these birds and their habitat,
ECan says.
Around 25 species of native birds make
their home on the beds of braided rivers,
including the black­billed gull, wrybill
(the only bird in the world with a
sideways beak), banded dotterel and the
black­fronted tern.
Many face arisk of decline and
sometimes extinction.
Species can quickly become
threatened if conservation management
reduces, or new threats arise.
ECan senior scientist Jean Jack says
each part of the river network has arole
in supporting birdlife and needs to be
respected and protected.
While the larger, alpine fed rivers
provide the most extensive habitat, the
smaller, hill­fed rivers offer essential
alternative sites when the larger ones are
in flood.
Braided river birds and their eggs can
be very hard to see, which means
disturbance is amajor threat to them.
Often out in the open, the nests are
camouflaged among stones, so it’s
important to steer clear of known or
suspecting nesting areas.
If abird is swooping, circling, or calling
loudly, chances are there’s anest nearby.
ECan and DOC’s work to protect
braided river birds includes pest
Sideways view ... The wrybill is known for
its sideways beak. PHOTO:STEVE ATTWOOD,AULDWOOD BIRDS
trapping, weed control, camera
installation and public awareness
measures.
‘‘We can all do our bit by keeping dogs
under control, sticking to already formed
tracks, removing rubbish from rivers and
coastal areas, avoiding nesting sites,
obeying speed rules when jet boating,
and respecting signage that may be
present.’’ an ECan spokeperson says.
‘‘In the meantime, simply telling others
about these unique birds and why they
need protecting, is agreat start to
helping them survive and thrive for years
to come.’’
Community groups such as BRaid and
the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group,
and volunteers such as filmmaker and
artist Gaylene Barnes, play acrucial role
in helping to protect bird species, ECan
says.
Head students ... The Rangiora New Life School head students for 2022 are Jemimah
Wescombe (head girl), Sean Reitsma (head boy, Anika McWin (deputy head girl) and
Jacob Blair (deputy head boy).
PHOTO: RANGIORANEW LIFE SCHOOL
The Widest Music Variety
Friday 6pm & replayed at 12pm Sunday
Tune in nowtolistenon104.9 North Canterbury
and103.7 Hanmer Springs andKaikoura
NEWS
The North Canterbury News, January 27, 2022
THE SUMMER HEAT
HAS ARRIVED!
25
Youth planning ... Waimakariri District Council youth development facilitator Emily Belton
(left) catches up with some of the WaiYouth and Waimakariri Youth Council members
Yulissa Louw, youth council co­chairperson Ruby Wilson, Chloe Betony, Thalia Rae and
Sasha Crawford.
PHOTO: DAVID HILL
Youth keen toplayrole
amid Covid uncertainty
By DAVID HILL
Waimakariri’s youth leaders are keen
to play arole in their communityin
uncertain times.
Members of the WaimakaririYouth
Council and WaiYouthgathered at the
Woodend Christian CamponFridayfor
aplanning and training day.
On the agenda was writing
submissions, recruitment and howto
engage with other young people and
the widercommunity.
The move to Covid­19 red traffic light
restrictions will causearethink
around eventplanning, Waimakariri
DistrictCouncil youth development
facilitator Emily Belton says.
But she is optimistic the youth can
rise to theoccasion.
‘‘It’s an exciting time for youth
counciltohave avoice in the various
areasaround the district and not just
Rangiora,’’ she says.
‘‘There was some really positive stuff
out of the whole day.’’
The participantsidentified youth
spaces, connectivitytothe local
community, public transport, and
youth employment and training as
issuesthey are keen to engage in this
year, Ms Belton says.
Grant Stephens, fromthe council’s
greenspace team, joined in for a
session on youthspaces and council
parks.
Ms Belton saysthe youth provided
some ideas on how to engage with youth
in Pegasus, as the councillooks to
develop ayouthspace in the town.
She says the youth counciland
WaiYouth will supportthe Youth
Futures Careers Expo, planned in
June, as they looktohelp otheryoung
peopleinto training andlocal
employment.
In the meantime, Ms Belton says the
two groups willlook their first
meetings of the yearonline.
WaiYouth will lookatrunning
smaller events, ratherthan big events
like the All Night Party, as it looks to
complywith the traffic light
regulations.‘‘It’s somethingweare
going to have to live with over the
comingmonths and years, but we know
what red looks like and we can lookat
how we can work around that.’’
During summer there are often regional
fire bans and water restrictions.
Keep an eye on your local council’s website
for any water restrictions.
For fire restrictions go to www.checkitsalright.nz
BE FIRE SMART AND
WATER WISE THIS SUMMER