A young leopard seal on Karepiro Beach, February 2016. Photo: Nick Van Burick (trapper)
Young leopard seals are said to travel north to New Zealand occasionally. New Zealand fur seals are now seen more often in the Hauraki Gulf and perhaps we will see both species more often in the future. For more on leopard seals click here.
Progress
DOC has now produced detailed plans for upgrading parts of the main walkway and have put the contract out to tender. It is excellent that money is being allocated to to upgrade tracks in order to protect our kauri. Sadly, this has been done without community consultation. After three years of track upgrade discussions we are fairly disappointed to be left out of the loop and would like to see the standard of track improvement at a higher level. Only 35 extra meters of boardwalk have been included because of budget restrictions, plus a diversion with steps to avoid the track around the estuary, which has collapsed due to storm and tide damage. Boardwalks are the current “Gold Standard” (apart from track closure) in the fight to prevent Kauri dieback disease. Friends of Okura Bush plan to fundraise enough money to boardwalk a minimum of 1.6kms. We have an upcoming meeting to hopefully rectify all this.
Scoping the forest
DOC has completed the overall aerial survey of the Okura bush which was done with a drone. Preliminary reports suggest that there is little or no evidence of further Kauri dieback disease. FOOB is waiting for DOC approval to start trapping other parts of the forest . We have an upcoming meeting with DOC and iwi to discuss the next steps.
Trapping
Photo; Pat Baskett
Five of 16 volunteer trappers at a trappers meeting in December 2015. From the left Peter Evans, Nick Van Burick, Leigh Holm, Jonathan Baskett and Ab Goubitz.
In 2015 the trapping team worked nine lines and recorded 1510 mice, 487 rats, 153 possums and 45 stoats or weasels in their traps. One would have thought that there might be fewer caught in 2016 but initial counts suggest that figures might be much the same.
There are signs pointing to feral cats in the reserve but we have yet to discover any. We have an infra red camera set up which is triggered by movement. Cats are known to be very trap shy and will be a challenge to remove.
THE WEEDING PROGRAM
Every 2nd Sunday of the month is for those who want to do something towards protecting our forest remnant.
March brought 14 volunteers together and many bio invasive plants were removed.
A great way to get rid of frustrations!
Sunday 10th April: 10am -12pm. Meet at the end of Duck Creek Road, Stillwater.
The weeding programme is coordinated by Julia O’Brien and led by Ben Titford. Contact Julia on 0272359242
Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/okurabush/
The Okura Forest Festival
This was a great success with over 1000 in attendance.
16 bands donated their time and played from 11am till after 11pm.
Members donated their time making and selling burritos, pizzas, juices and home baking.
Thanks to the Hibiscus & Bays local board for the funding that went towards making this such a great community event.
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AUTUMN IS HERE, COME FOR A WALK, COUNT THE BIRDS, CATCH A RAT, A POSSUM, A STOAT OR COME AND SLAY SOME PEST PLANTS>>
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Contact details:
President: Lezette Reid… info@okurabush.org.nz
Volunteer trapline coordinator: Jonathan Baskett… jpbaskett@xtra.co.nz
Weeding coordinator: Julia O’Brien… jmobrien@hotmail.co.nz
Thank you Pat and Jonathan Baskett for contributing to the Newsletter.