Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board

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Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural
Environment-Islands monthly update
December & January

Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
28/01/2020
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
Aotea Great Barrier Local Board funded programmes
Argentine ant & Plague skink surveillance

   •   Rosalie bay Rd – Because of the connectivity with the Mulberry Grove Argentine ant site, sites at
       top of road were monitored with nothing detected.
   •   A selection of sites between Okiwi airfield and Orama were monitored with neither Argentine
       ants nor Plague skinks detected.

Okiwi Community Pest Coordinator

   •   Rat trapping is continuing, cat trapping will resume in February.
   •   The coordinator is in the process of doing a door to door visit with people revisiting priorities for
       the project given a number have dropped out of rat trapping. The survey completed in 2017 will
       be revisited as a prompt, however the visits will be more focused as an opportunity to chat face
       to face with individuals about where they see the project going.
   •   The results will be available in March 2020.
   •   feedback to date indicates a desire to continue with community led bird counts in addition to the
       island wide counts, to continue rat trapping on public land, to put more emphasis on rat
       monitoring than recording every capture on all private land (many are using rat bait or a combo
       of traps and rat bait).

Pest Pathways

   •   Pest pathway ambassadors attended training with Conservation Advisors in December.

   •   Key message: Buy Locally - This message covers three aspects of environmental protection,
       waste minimisation, low carbon and biosecurity. By reducing freight to Aotea visitors can reduce
       their carbon footprint and reduce the risk of inadvertently transporting pest species.
   •   Ambassadors will be advocating the use of local nurseries and providing information on
       biosecurity programs e.g. feral cat control, argentine ant eradication and provide information on
       the species present and absent on Aotea.
   •   Ambassadors were present at Shoal Bay Wharf, Claris Airport and Port FitzRoy wharf periodically
       during the Christmas new year period.
Rabbit Control

   •   A Scope of Works has been finalized for the Local Board funded rabbit control occurring in
       March, this work has been contracted to Glen Coulston of Goodwood Aotearoa Ltd. and will
       include night shoots in Kaitoke, Claris, Okiwi and Orama.
   •   Pre-control spotlight counts are planned for the last two weeks of February.

Pest prevention

Norway rat surveillance

   •   Norway rats are not known to be established on Aotea. Norway rat surveillance occurs
       annually at key entry and exit points on Aotea to confirm the absence of this species.
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
•   Norway rat surveillance occurred in January using Victor professional rat traps, these traps
       are larger and more robust than the commonly used Snap-E or T-Rex traps primarily used to
       catch ship/roof rats on Aotea.

   Victor trap at Port FitzRoy                      Doc 200 Port FitzRoy

   •   The traps are checked weekly over January to ensure rats are not too decomposed to
       identify. See identification tips below for ship rats/roof rats (Rattus rattus) and the absent
       Norway Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)

Stoat sighting
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
•   On Tuesday 25th December - DOC Okiwi received a phone message reporting a potential
        Stoat sighting on Oruawharo lane, Medlands. The message was not picked up due to the
        closure of the DOC office.
    •   The informant later informed the Oruawharo Medlands Ecovision Group of the sighting (date
        unknown) who informed Auckland Council on the 30th of December 2019 at 2.38pm. Auckland
        Council contacted the informant by 3.12pm and recorded an interview.

    •   The Informant had witnessed an animal crossing his property in a loping fashion, the animal
        then disappeared behind a Pohutukawa tree. The sighting occurred on the 25th December at
        approximately 10am.
    •   After interviewing the informant Auckland Council were not convinced that this was not a
        genuine sighting. However, due to the seven-day delay between the sighting and the report it
        was decided a detection dog would not be immediately deployed.
    •   A decision was made to deploy a trap network of DOC200s within the proximity of the
        sighting. Should further reports come in or any sign of stoat presence observed a stoat
        detection dog would be deployed immediately.

                                Doc200 trap Network deployed in Medlands

Great Barrier Island Pest Animal Programs
Feral Cats
    • Feral cat control has been on hold for the last two months due to expected poor catch rates at
        the peak of summer. Feral cat trapping is forecast to resume in March.
Broken Islands-Rodent control
   • Contractors have installed further rodent management stations on Opakau Island with the
       intension of managing increasing rat numbers on this islet.
Argentine & Darwin’s ants
    •   Only one (Sugarloaf) of the 12 sites has yet to receive a first round of monitoring.
    •   60,042 pottles have been deployed (across all sites) in this first round. Of these, 66 returned with
        Target ants (Argentine or Darwin’s) at a percentage of 0.1.
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
•   Comparatively, the percentage of target ants found after round 1 of the 2018/2019 season was
        1.57% (see table 1.0 below)

Table 1.0 Monitoring totals and target ant detections across all sites – Round 1

 Site                 Total Total             % of         # of pottles      % of Target     % of Target
                      Tubes Pottles           pottles      with Target       ants            ants from
                      used deployed           returned     ants              2019/20         2018/19
                                              empty                          (Round 1)       (Round 1)

 Oceanview RD         16       15,384         8.75         4                 0.03            0.45
 Sandhills Rd         8.4      8290           0.8          4                 0.05            0.02

 Gray Rd              10       9755           11           18                0.2             11
 Blind bay Rd         1        553            9.8          0                 0               0.4
 Mason Rd             5        2615           20           0                 0               0.46
 Thomas Rd*           1.5      1923           3            7                 0.4             1.24
 Okupu                4.5      3598           7            6                 0.16            0.12
 44 Medland Rd        6.5      6435           2.5          19                0.3             0.09
 Puriri Bay Rd*       1.2      1149           1.5          2                 0.4             3.7
 Sugarloaf            TBC      TBC                                                           1.03
 Mohunga              2        741            4            2                 0.3             0.5
 (Darwin’s)
 Mulberry Grove       10       9599           16.7         4                 0.04            0
 Totals               66.1     60,042         6.6          66                0.1             1.57

    •   Small infestations discovered within the Mulberry Grove and Sandhills sites (after the previous
        season had no detections). This is typical when reducing high densities over a large area where it
        can become difficult to detect nests of this size when only visiting a site once in a season.
    •   A secondary round of monitoring has been added to operations to increase the likelihood of
        detection of such small infestations and assist in auditing round 1 operations.
Plague skinks
    • Between October and December Insect Sticky Traps (used to catch skinks) were active for 40
        nights in all five trial cells. Three adult plague skinks were caught in trial cell 6 (2nd trap only
        cell), this was the only cell where plague skink captures were recorded.
    • This concludes the first round of trapping to determine plague skink extinction in each cell.
        Trapping will resume in cell 6 over January and February to increase the likelihood of plague
        skink extinction. Trapping will be rested in the four remaining cells until March when the
        second round of 40 nights trapping will commence.
    • Between October and December thirteen native skinks were trapped in trial cell two (1st trap
        only cell) this was comprised of eleven ornate skink and two copper skinks. Four native
        skinks were trapped in trial cell 6 (second trap only cell) which included one moko, one
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
copper and two ornate skinks. One ornate skink was trapped in trial cell 8 (low density chook
      cell).
 •    No skinks were trapped in cell seven (high density chook cell) or cell one (pilot chicken cell)
      during the first round of trapping. See summary table of skink captures below.
 •    A small fence breach in cell two was reported on the 6th January and fixed the same day. The
      cause was attributed to high winds. It is possible this breach was open for one week over the
      contractor’s holiday break.

                               Figure 1: Location of trial Cells GBI
                                                            # of     Trap    Skinks detected
Grid/Line            Dates                   # of traps nights nights
                     7th - 10/10/19,                                         11 Ornate
                     21st - 25/10/19                                         2 copper

                     12th-30/11/19
Cell 2 (1st trap
                     1st-16/12/19
only cell)                                   512          40       20,480
                     7th - 10/10/19,                                         3 plague skinks
                     21st - 25/10/19                                         1 moko skink
                                                                             1 copper
                     12th-30/11/19                                           2 ornate
Cell 6 (2nd trap
                     1st-16/12/19
only cell)                                   292          40       11,680
                     7th - 10/10/19,
                     21st - 25/10/19
Cell 1 (CC1 pilot
                     12th-30/11/19
chicken cell)                                294          40       11,760
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
1st-16/12/19
                         7th - 10/10/19,
                         21st - 25/10/19

                         12th-30/11/19
  Cell 7 (CC3 high
                         1st-16/12/19
  density chook cell)                           115           40       4600
                         7th - 10/10/19,                                         1 Ornate skink
                         21st - 25/10/19

                         12th-30/11/19
  Cell 8 (CC2 low
                         1st-16/12/19
  density chook cell)                           150           40       6000
                                                                                 3 plague skinks
                                                                                 14 Ornate skinks
                                                                                 3 copper skinks
  Round one totals                                                     54,520    1 moko skink

Great Barrier Island Pest Plant Programmes
Strategic Weed initiative (SWI)
    • Bushy Asparagus – Claris site completed, and NO target plants found
    • Kahilli Ginger – Puriri Bay Road (ongoing)
    • Kahilli Ginger – Okupu (ongoing) Some access issues with new landowner, contractor to discuss
        program and report back if access is not granted. Boneseed was identified within this site with
        approx. 15 plants in total found. One of which was mature and in seed.
    • Kahili Ginger/Boneseed – Palmers Lookout (ongoing)
    • Moth plant – Fitzroy site (1st visit completed) report on finds pending
Total Control Weeds
    •   Royal fern – Golf club & Okiwi site completed, report on finds pending
    •   Japanese Honeysuckle – Rosalie Bay site (1st visit completed) report on finds pending
    •   Asparagus Umbellatus – Roaslie Bay site completed, and NO plants found
    •   Pennywort - Claris Landfill site completed, and NO plants found

Juvenile kahili ginger (puriri Bay Road)      Juvenile Boneseed (Okupu foreshore)
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
Weed surveillance
  • The Weed surveillance program continued with a concentrated effort within the Tryphena area.
      A week of surveillance was carried out in early December with a few points of interest that are
      marked to be followed up:
    •   Pericallis x hybria ( Cineraria or common ragwort) found on Shoal Bay rd. – first recording for the
        island and has the potential to become established on coastal slopes
    •   Potential Homalanthus populifolius (Queensland poplar) needs to be confirmed. Also found on
        Shoal bay Rd.
    •   Hawthorn located on Blackwell drive
    •   A potential Woolly Nightshade was reported at the beginning of Puriri bay Rd. This was
        investigated and confirmed as Brugmansia (Angels trumpets) by the Envirokiwi team who were
        visiting the area to carry out other weed work.

Community, Education and Advocacy

Publications/media
•   The bird of the month adverts on AoteaFM will be recorded in January for the months of
    February-July, each month an accompanying article will be published in the Barrier bulletin to
    highlight the bird and message. Focus species and messages are:
        o February: Ruru, Morepork are nesting, keep cats inside at night - Beau Daly
        o March: Miromiro, north Island tomtit are nesting, trap rats in your backyard – Troy
             Currie
        o April: koekoeā, long tailed cuckoo are starting to migrate, put stickers on windows to
             stop bird strike! – Korah Reid
        o May: Kereru, New Zealand wood pigeon are declining, trap rats in your back yard. – Van Currin
        o June: korimako, New Zealand Bell bird love fruit and flowers, plant natives in your
             backyard! – One of Taryn Cowell’s kids
        o July: moho pererū, Banded rail share our roads, slow down and watch for roadrunners! (article
             written in January)- Maisy Currie
•   A pamphlet advocating local nurseries and pest prevention has been designed and is expected to
    be finalised next month. Pest pathway ambassadors will use this during advocacy work at
    wharves and airports.
•   The “Pests of Aotea” booklet is being updated prior to a reprint. The new version will have more
    images, a section on “how to trap rats” and wasp control.
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
Aotea/Great Barrier Natural Environment-Islands monthly update - December & January Prepared for the Great Barrier Local Board
Pest Fish Surveillance
A combined surveillance operation between DoC and Auckland Council sampled areas of Kaitoke
wetland and creek for pest fish. The only exotic fish of note that was captured was the Australian
bridled goby which is a burrowing coastal and estuarine goby from temperate areas of Australia. The
first record of this species in New Zealand was in the Whangateau Harbour in 1998. It is thought that
it arrived in New Zealand waters as the result of accidental transport in shipping ballast water.

In-addition the Auckland Council team inspect other high-risk water bodies for pest animals and
plants with nothing to report.
Cooks Scurvy Grass (Lepidium oleracium) census
    •   All vegetation plots re surveyed (Lepidium and associated species) on Mahuki Island
    •   All Lepidium on site was marked and entered into data base (collector)
    •   Photo points re-done and pest plant control (manual weeding) of ink weed carried out around
        survey site
    •   Sites where Cooks Scurvy grass has been recorded in the past on islands and islets off the
        west coast of Great Barrier were visited. Unfortunately, none of these locations had Cook
        Scurvy grass present however a satellite population was confirmed close to the survey site
        on Mahuki Island.

                          Jeremy Warden on a recent survey of Te Manu Island
Leptinella Census
A review of the known populations of L. tenella at both the Awana and Mabeys Rd sites and current
management (Awana site). A full report to be provided by members of the AC Biodiversity team that
attended the trip.
Awana
   •    Leptinella tenella was located in all known areas from previous surveys. Some of the
        populations are doing well (persisting), particularly in areas where there is adequate cover
        from mature manuka and kanauka.
   •    Some previously suitable habitat where cattle were keeping areas open via grazing, has now
        been closed in by sedges and rushes. This has made it difficult for the L. tenella to persist
        here however, it is thought that eventually as the manuka and kanuka mature and start to
        shade the rushes and sedges, areas will thin out and allow L. tenella to re populate.
   •    The native mistletoe (Korthalsella salicornioides) appears to be doing well and is easily
        visible from the roadside. No formal monitoring was carried out, but this may be added to
        the future management plan for this site.
Mabey Road
   •    Larger populations seen here than in the Awana site (see image below)
   •    Cattle can graze here but don’t seem to visit or impact this area of the paddock
   •    The main difference between these sites is the more mature, taller manuka and kanuka
        which create shaded areas where L. tenella is situated between the dense rushes
Aotea Bird Count
   •   December 6th & 7th saw the inaugural Aotea Bird count carried out across 17 of 18 allocated
       Transects. Each transect has five count points which were visit twice. This gave a grand total
       of 170 5-minute counts carried out across the two days. The Motu Kaikoura transect was the
       only omission from the collected data.

   •   The ‘five-minute bird count’ is a well-established, standardised way of monitoring birds in New
       Zealand and will allow for all data collected on Aotea to be compared to other counts across
       the country.
   •   A simple but statistically robust methodology was chosen and carried out by a wide range of
       keen bird spotting volunteers from our community.
   •   On November the 19th volunteers (experienced and novice) were introduced to the counting
       and recording techniques as well as some common bird calls, they should be prepared to
       hear and confidently identify. Approx. 50 volunteers squeezed into the Old School House
       venue for this methodology meeting.
   •   December the 4th all participants were then required to attend a ‘practice run’ at Windy Hill
       Sanctuary before the 6th and 7th to give all counters a chance to brush up on skills and cover
       anything that may be in question.
   •   All the data collected has recently been analysed (analyst employed by GBIET and regionally
       funded) and the GBIET will look to release this data back to the community as it comes in.
Next month (February 2020)
   •   Rabbit control operation
   •   Feral cat trapping
   •   Argentine ant program review
   •   Shanti Morgan on parental leave February 14th- August 2020
Pathways

Environmental Services Biosecurity and Biodiversity are now re-named Natural Environment Delivery and
Natural Environment Design. The Islands workstream has now been split into two programmes – Islands and
Pathways.

Biosecurity measures on mainland to protect pest pathways to Aotea/Great Barrier have continued to
improve in the last quarter. Included in the improvements are:
    • Increased inspections with biosecurity detector dogs, which now are tracking at 90% of all vehicle
        ferries to Aotea/Great Barrier; and in addition the inspection of charters, especially when
        transporting risk goods;
    • The new Hammer St Sealink wharf has a dedicated valve for waste, so that it would be possible to
        clean a dirty vehicle or equipment/plant that otherwise might be declined to sail;
    • A summer Hauraki Gulf biosecurity comms campaign is underway, which includes messaging at
        departure points, marinas, and on MetService marine weather forecasting website;
    • AC36 planning is underway to increase biosecurity awareness at the points of contact in advance of
        Americas Cup race series.
    • Cruise ships visiting islands: biosecurity collateral is being provided to cruise ships with Hauraki
        Gulf islands on their itinerary. Two ships are scheduled this season – one visiting Aotea and one
        to Waiheke. This (island excursions) is expected to increase rapidly, according to industry.
    • The Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Biosecurity Management Plan is being reviewed and revised in
        light of the upcoming Regional Pest Management Plan. The implications for the HGCAN are
        substantial and significant. An update will be provided to the Board once the draft is complete.
ECOLOGY VISION REPORT
                  Prepared for Aotea, Great Barrier Island Local Board
                                    24th January 2020

Photo: Oruwharo Medlands Eco-vision community group, paddle up Oruwharo Creek, November 2019

             Prepared by Taryn Wilks, Ecology Vision Facilitator, Sustainable Aotea
Community Survey
A community survey went out to gather information on residents’ opinions and priorities for
restoration and enhancement of Aotea October 2019. The key aim being to try and identify
if people knew of the Ecology Vision, what people value in their local community, the wider
Aotea and what they would be interested in being involved in. These results are currently
being summarized and results will be released in February 2020.
Beach Clean-up
An immediate area of interest identified from the above survey results and community
discussions were around beach clean-ups. A Beach Clean-up event was organised in Okupu
on November 23rd 2019. It had all that Aotea spirit oozing with 57 people participating. After
the mahi, a shared BBQ was enjoyed by all. A total of 50 kg of rubbish collected.
Guest speakers included: Sarah Dwyer, Marine Biologist DOC, Jo O’Reilly Waste
Minimisation Co-ordinator, Shanti Morgan, Community Conservation Advisor, Auckland
Council, Dead Seabird Identification and Local Sue Daly, Nature lover and spoke on Dog
rules.

In collaboration with DOC and Sustainable Coastlines, the next beach clean up is being
organised for March 2020. Linked in with schools over sea education week.
Note: Many community members expressed opinions about the new landfill charges,
primarily relating to the cost of paying for rubbish that they regularly collect off the beach
and/or roadside. As an interim measure Auckland Council provide 20 prepaid bags,
community members have also donated bags that they are not using. Seventeen bags have
thus far been handed out the community.
Longer term solution: The Department of Conservation (DoC) have offered their support and
are providing $150 to go towards the cost of landfill fees, this adds up to 1 TONNE of
rubbish that could be collected from our shores. DOC have also provided equipment such as
re-usable bags and gloves for community events.
Website Development and Logo
An interactive, engaging, easy to access ecology vision website is currently being developed.
This will provide a platform for community groups, an online educational information
resource i.e., bird identification, trapping methods, healthy waters and more. This website
will also be home for other community projects such as the Aotea Bird Count and Aotea
Trap Library. Launch planned for end of February 2020.
Three potential logos for the Ecology Vision have been put to the community via social
media (facebook) to vote. Images below, ranked in order of most votes to date. Voting will
close January 31st 2020.

Option 1

Option 2
Option 3
Feedback received so far indicates that the ‘kaka’ might be a more suitable logo for the
barrier – very iconic, distinctive and unique. The designer has been asked if there is
time/budget available to do one more mark up – changing the face of option 1 to a kaka.
Celebrating success - A short film
A short 2-3 minute clip, introducing the Ecology Vision and the new Ourwharo Medlands
Eco-vision community group is planned for the end of February/March 2020. Celebrating
community success and aimed to inspire and engage more people to get active in ecological
restoration and protection within the community of Great Barrier Island, Aotea. To be
played at Barrier Pestival in May, Eco-Art Event July, Sealink, Airport, and online media.
Driving Engagement - An Eco-Art exhibition “Expression Through Nature”
A collaboration of Ecology, Art and Sustainability. An “Expression through Nature” exhibition
where by groups (for example schools, Aotea Learning Hub, Businesses, Organisations, and
neighbourhoods) can create a sculpture using recycled/reused or natural (i.e., wood, shell,
feather) products which displays their connection to the environment. Structures will be
temporarily displayed along the trail from the Claris airport to the Community Art Gallery
and Museum and will also be on display during the evening using solar lights (in accordance
with Dark Sky Sanctuary requirements). On the opening night, include a short film and star
gazing experience.
This event is planned for the week before Matariki, July 11th 2020.
Oruwharo Medlands Eco-vision (OME)
The OME group has funding for 2 part time positions, filled by Annamarie Clough and Lotte
McIntyre. The group has been busy laying tracking tunnels, setting and checking traps (#
104) and monitoring shore birds. They are now planning on extending the trapping lines and
investigating options for inclusion of waterway monitoring program. In November 2010 the
group paddled up Oruwharo Creek, with Taryn talking on stream health and Thomas Daly on
weeds. The group also hosted a successful Sandcastle competition in Medlands in January.
To maintain momentum and the continued functioning of the OME community group and
ecological restoration of Aotea, a ‘Community Conservation Facilitator’ grant application
was applied for on January 10th. If successful this would secure the two roles until June 30th
2020.
Aotea Trap Library
Great Barrier Island Environmental Trust secured funding from WWF for a part-time 6-7
hours per week Trap Library Co-ordinator position. This was awarded to Lotte McIntyre. The
focus for now is to assess how people are going, are they using the traps and logging the
data. The Trap Library Coordinator will be working in collaboration with the Ecology Vision
Facilitator who will help oversee the project.
Barrier Pestival: Inaugural Ecology Vision Symposium
The Barrier Pestival symposium on Aotea, Great Barrier Island will be the first of its kind. It is
scheduled for May 2nd 2020. A one day educational and networking symposium for the
community and organizations involved in the goal of pest free Auckland/predator free NZ
across New Zealand. The symposium will also be zero waste, carbon neutral and will include
six guest speakers (two key note and four shorter presentations) and an outdoor display of
retailers for pest control projects. These retailers will be invited to show case their products
during morning tea and afternoon tea breaks.
A day trip will also be organised for the following day - May 3rd to recently pest free Rakitu
Island- this event will be organised and led by the Department of Conservation (numbers
will be limited).
Driving Engagement
Aotea Learning Hub – Shanti Morgan and Taryn Wilks talked with the students at the hub
about all things environmental and explored what the students might like to be involved in.
Of most interest to them and the teachers, was to set up a small nursery, vegetable patch –
to have workshops teaching the students about propagation and growing. However, this is
on hold due to water shortage over summer and until more certainty around the longer-
term location of the Hub.
Destination Great Barrier Island (DGBI) – Initial discussions have been had with DGBI on
potential eco-sustainable tourism initiatives / carbon offset idea such as plant a tree. DBGI
and Aotea as a community are in a unique position where there is real opportunity to be
world leaders in Eco-sustainable tourism
Native trees are culturally and spiritually important to us all. They not only sequester carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere but they provide habitat for our native birds, better water
quality in our streams, and more beautiful places for future generations to explore.
DGBI are supportive of such a project, however at this stage any further project work is
outside the scope of the current Ecology Vision Facilitator budget.
Okupu Community – during the beach clean-up event local community members expressed
interest in having a sign in the bay about local fauna, marine / boating rules. A local hui will
be organised for early this year to explore options, discuss ideas and the potential formation
of an Eco-vision community group.
A newsletter was produced in November 2019 and emailed out to those whom registered their
interest and also published on social media (Attached).

Warm Regards

Taryn Wilks, Ecology Vision Facilitator, Sustainable Aotea
N EW SLETTER
   ECO LO GY V I SI O N
Term: Spring | Issue 1 | Date: November 28, 2019

  OCT-NOV 2019                               SURVEY                                      BEACH CLEAN-UP
 What a fantastic 2 months in the            A community survey went out for              A community beach clean-up event
 role as the Ecology Vision Facilitator.     the month of October to gather              at Okupu on November 23rd, had all
                                                                                         that Aotea spirit oozing with over 50
 Lots of conversations within the            information on residents?opinions           PEOPLE participating and 50 kg of
 community and a successful                  and priorities for restoration and          rubbish collected! It was so great to
                                                                                         see so many people there, from
 community event at Okupu. Thanks            enhancement of Aotea. The key aim           young families, through to
 for all your support, bring on 2020!        being to try and figure out what            great-grandparents. Top effort team!
 Hope you all have a great Christmas .       people want to see where and why,           Thanks to DOC for covering landfill
                                             and to see if people have knowledge         fees. Auckland council pre-paid
                                                                                         rubbish bags are available for
 ECO-ART                                     of what the Ecology Vision is. These        disposing of beach collected rubbish,
                                             results are currently being                 please get in contact, details below.
 An Eco-Art exhibition ?Expression           summarised and results will be
 Through Nature?an outdoor sculpture         released in the new year. A huge
 exhibition to create awareness of our       thanks to all those who participated.
 native wildlife treasures and ecological
 restoration on Aotea. This event is
 planned as part of Matariki July 2020.
 You can enter as an individual or group
 (i.e., school, business, trust) working
 together to create a sculpture using        SHORT FILM                              AOTEA TRAP LIBRARY
 recycled/reused or natural (i.e., wood,
                                              A short film (currently in planning    Rat Season is upon us - so let?s get
 shell, feather) products which displays                                             trapping! The Aotea Trap Library is up
                                             process) will provide a unique
 your connection to the environment.         opportunity for people to hear local    and operational. Traps and wooden
 More information to come!                   stories (journey through years past     housings are FREE in exchange for your
                                             and learn of what the environment       catch data. Please contact myself or
                                             was like on Aotea), celebrate           through a trap l ibrary coordinator near
                                             community success and inspire and       you. For more information see
                                             engage people in ecological             https://www.gbiet.org/trap-library
                                             restoration and protection within
                                             the community.
INTEREST PIECE                             ORUAW HARO M EDLANDS ECO-VISION
By Sarah Dwyer, DOC Dolphin Expert

On the evening of Sunday 17th
November, a single dolphin was found
in the shallows at the southern end of
Okupu beach. A group of dolphins had
been seen in the bay during the day but
had since departed. DOC, who are
responsible for the welfare of all
stranded cetaceans (whales, dolphins,
and porpoises), were grateful to
receive the report via the DOC
emergency hot line and set about
coordinating a response. Photographs
from observers on the beach confirmed
that it was a common dolphin
(Delphinussp.) and that there was no
sign of external injury or trauma. Given   Oruwharo Medlands Eco-vision (OME) group now has funding for 2 part time
that it was almost dark, the tide was      positions to help with the community-led ecological protection and restoration
incoming and there was no danger of        project. The group has been busy laying tracking tunnels, setting and checking traps
the dolphin overheating, a response        (>100), monitoring shore birds, and working with local children to make penguin
was planned for first light. There was     crossing signs. The group will be touring up Oruawhao Creek this week to discuss
no sign of the dolphin the following       stream health and restoration planting. Here is a summary from Lotte:
morning, so it seems the best-case
                                           ?The OME have completed the first of weekly checks of the trapsin the dunes and reserves
scenario occurred during the night
                                           around Medlands. Aspredicted by the monitoring carried out in early November, there was
with the dolphin swimming away on its
                                           quite a high catch rate of both ratsand mice. The monitoring also showed printsof at least
own accord. Thanks go to Phillipa
                                           two different types of skinks, moko and copper. In the last week we have noticed both
Howcroft for reporting the stranding
                                           dotterel and oyster catcher chicksappearing on the beach at Medlands. Good work
and checking the beach early the
                                           everyone for giving them enough space and peace to hatch. There are still more neststo be
following morning along with the DOC
                                           aware of though, so keep your eyespeeled for distressed parents trying to protect their
team, and to Hannah Gale for being on
                                           eggs, and please don't linger if you see them.?
standby as one of our Aotea trained
Project Jonah marine mammal medics.
Please remember to report all wildlife         Ecology vision websit e current ly under development ! To be launched 2020

emergencies to DOC via the DOC
Hotline ? 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362            Ecology Vision, proudly supported and            Feedback welcome. For more
468).                                       funded by the Aotea, Great Barrier               information please contact:
                                            Island Local Board .
                                                                                             Taryn Wilks, Ecology Vision Facilitator

                                                                                             Email: taryn@sustainableaotea.co.nz

                                                                                             Phone: 09 4290 626
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