November 2015 Workday Motuora

First pohutukawa flowers on MotuoraEarly pohutukawa flowers greeted the 27 people who ferried to Motuora for the last workday for 2015.

It was warm and overcast and a little light rain failed to dampen the spirits of the MRS members and volunteers who worked to help clear tracks, improve the fencing to protect shore skink and gecko areas, selective weeding and pricking out carex seedlings.

Ray Lowe, retiring MRS Chairperson, and Kit Brown retiring MRS Secretary, erected an information sign at the gannet viewing site. Some 20 gannets are nesting, one chick has hatched and there appears to be at least 3 birds sitting on eggs.

Ray on Motuora after his final committee meeting as Chair

Chris Green from DoC and the Auckland zoo team briefing MRS members about the translocation of Wetapunga.

Chris Green from DoC and the Auckland zoo team briefing MRS members about the translocation of Wetapunga.

 

Chris Green co:ordinated a team from the Auckland zoo in transporting and attaching 100 bamboo huts inhabited by half grown wetapunga to branches in established forest.

Labelled bamboo houses containing half grown wetapunga ready for attaching to trees on Motuora

Labelled bamboo houses containing half grown wetapunga ready for attaching to trees on Motuora

 

 

 

 

 

This is the fourth translocation of wetapunga to Motuora and tracking data provides evidence that previous populations have successfully bred a further generation of wetapunga so it appears that the zoo breeding programme and the lack of predators on Motuora are key factors in helping this species to survive.

Ben from Auckland Zoo and Liz, MRS Committee, attaching a wetapunga house

Ben from Auckland Zoo and Liz, MRS Committee, attaching a wetapunga house.

Nattu, MRS treasurer, attaching bamboo wetapunga house.

Nattu, MRS treasurer, attaching bamboo wetapunga house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first ever fluttering shearwater chicks have hatched on Motuora as a result of a sound attraction programme on Motuora. John Stewart, MRS Chairperson, and co:ordinator of the seabird translocation programme assisted by Kay Milton banded the month old chick. The other chick was only 10 – 16 days old so was too small to band.

The first fluttering shearwater to hatch on Motuora about to be banded by John Stewart current MRS chair.

The first fluttering shearwater to hatch on Motuora about to be banded by John Stewart current MRS chair.

John briefing volunteers and MRS members about establishing fluttering shearwaters on Motuora

John briefing volunteers and MRS members about establishing fluttering shearwaters on Motuora

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first fluttering shearwater to hatch on Motuora about to be banded by John Stewart current MRS chair.

The first fluttering shearwater to hatch on Motuora about to be banded by John Stewart current MRS chair.

The second fluttering shearwater to hatch on Motuora.

The second fluttering shearwater to hatch on Motuora.

A gallery of photos from the November 2015 Motuora workday, click on image to see full size: