July 2019
Catch Statistics July 2018 - June 2019 Peter Hale
Focus Group Research Published - Peter Hale
Back in December 2017 Wayne Sowman and Peter Hale represented FOR in this research. For those interested in the results click on the link indicated in the attached email from Robyn and for the complete paper select the pdf.
Kia ora,
Thank you for participating in our research on new technologies to manage invasive rats and wasps. Our research has been published in the Pacific Conservation Biology Journal and we are pleased to share our paper with you. Kirk et al. (2009) has open access so you can share this link with your colleagues and anyone whom you think might be interested.
Kirk N, Kannemeyer R, Greenaway A, MacDonald E, Stronge D 2019. Understanding attitudes on new technologies to manage invasive species. Pacific Conservation Biology. doi.org/10.1071/PC18080
Dogs on Conservation Land - Peter Hale
Many of you will probably have seen this: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/114225689/signs-and-big-fines-no-deterrent-to-dog-owners-in-national-park
Dogs are a problem, adding to the ever increasing list of factors impacting on our biodiversity. As with domestic cats there is no easy answer as dogs have become such a big part of NZ families and cannot easily be left at home alone.
I suggested this style of sign should be considered here at Nelson Lakes a number of years ago after reading an article on the psychology of sign design and the impact on the observer. An example in the article showed a picture of a wolf face looking you directly in the eyes which was supposed to be hard to miss.
These signs are now in place in both Kerr Bay and West Bay.
Some Interesting Articles - Peter Hale
A couple of articles that may be of interest to you:
The kiwi discovery is very important for the future recovery of the Haast tokoeka as it will add to the genetic diversity which is an important factor in the survival of species with critically low numbers. The comments associated with this article demonstrate what those in the conservation profession are up against.
Long-tailed cuckoo are rarely sighted here in Nelson Lakes, I have only seen one in 11 years. There are anecdotal reports of them laying in the nests of Robins, Fantails, Silvereyes and Tomtits however the main host species are Whitehead (NI) and Yellowhead(SI). No wonder they are in decline
Volunteers Required for Kaka Monitoring - Chris Richards
Once a week we are needing to triangulate the five monitored kaka chicks so we can keep an eye on where they are.
It usually involves taking bearings from Mt Robert carpark, Buller Bridge, Cummings cottage, Glacial Terrace and the Old Dump.
If anyone from FOR would like to help that would be great and good triangulation practise. Tuesdays are a good day from like 10:30 to lunchtime using either a DOC vehicle or a personal one.
Feral Cat Trapping Statistics - Chris Richards
Statistics for June 2019:_
THR 3
Village 3
Rainbow 1
Total for June :- 7
Total for year 2018 - 2019:- 55
Total by catch:
Ferret - 7
HH - 4
Possum - 3.
Some comparisons:-Total local catches for:-
2016 - 2017 :- 83
2017 - 2018 :- 68
2018 - 2019 :-55.