Omaha Beach Clean Up - Sunday 13 June 1.00pm

Meet at Omaha Surfclub @ 1.00pm

Come and experience the beach in autumn - bring your whole family.  Learn about threats to our marine and coastal life.  See what interesting rubbish we might find!  Help analyse our rubbish for the Sir Peter Blake Trust Care for our Coast program.

Yes, we mean lend a hand to picking up rubbish at the beach - gloves provided. Sausage sizzle afternoon tea to follow.

Here is a list of some of the more unusual finds around the coasts of NZ.
Half a sponge mattress, a steering console from a burnt boat, diving mask, wetsuit sleeve, 3 sq metres of carpet (Whangamumu Harbour), piece of car fender, car bumper, car door seal, car rims, piece of surfboard and 2 hubcaps. Headphones, lambing rings, picnic table, phone card, metal chain with a hook at one end, sheep wool, ferry ticket, G-shock watch, waterproof camera, goat skull, truck battery, TV screen, computer monitors, blowtorch, workman’s hat, discarded wallet, road cones, a chainsaw, cellphones, coffeemaker, bobsled and seven pairs of gloves in a single cleanup. A 2m tinny was found in the cleanup at Oruapure Bay on 14 May 2007, a 2.5m aluminium dinghy found at Moturekareka Island by the crew of the Spirit of New Zealand on 19 October 2008 and yet another aluminium dinghy found at Tryphena (Great Barrier) also by a Spirit crew. An intact bicycle, as well as bicycle parts, was found at Mussel Bay, Otago Harbour on 5 March 2007 and a push bike found at Lucken’s reserve on 10 February 2009 and a rusting boat trailer added to the most densely littered cleanup area, Evan’s Bay on 2 December 2008. Even the kitchen sink has been found on our beaches, not to mention a dishwasher, rusty old fridge and filing cabinet.

Please let me know if you can make it - your help is appreciated.


Supported by Rodney District Council.

 Dotterel @ Omaha Beach

 

Bug Tracking

Sunday 23 May 1.30pm Scott's Landing

Meet eco-inventor Warren Agnew and find out about tracking small creatures with crafty tunnels.

Skink Footprint x60 magnification.

The weather will be getting cooler but you might be able to find some creatures to bring along - praying mantis, spiders, weta, cockroaches, pet mice, pet rats, skinks etc.  Warren will demonstrate how the tunnels show which creatures are in the undergrowth!  This technology is used in predator free reserves to monitor pest control programs.

To register and for further details please contact me.

It's a Bird's Life

Sunday 25 April - Anzac Day

1.30pm

Meet at the Woolshed, Tawharanui

Meet with DOC Ranger Maurice Puckett and hear about the predator control at Tawharanui Open Sanctuary.  Come and find out about pest control and the species thriving in this unique environment.  We will walk through an ecology trail, find out about forest succession and hear the birdsong.

 

 Kereru by Alastair Smith from Flickr

Please contact me if you are interested in attending. Claire

On Board the Jane Gifford

On Saturday 27 February KCC members joined Forest and Bird friends and journeyed down the Mahurangi River on board the Jane Gifford. Our skipper was Mark Rothwell and also on board was Peter Thompson, part of the energetic team behind the massive restoration program for this boat.

Duncan McDonald look ahead as we depart.

Setting off on a full spring tide our two hour journey took us down as far as Dawson Creek where we turned. For many, myself included, this was our first trip on the river.  On board we recieved an introduction to the Scow and heared some of her history.  Then after a  safety briefing the boat turned and we were off.
The river curves through the mangroves, past boats moored along the way, the cement works, boat yards and some locals catching snapper for their tea.  We motored the whole way - the only option until the boat gets her rigging.  Perhaps even then she will have to motor through these mangroves anyway.

Rico Luyt on board.

Speaking with Peter Thompson it sounds like the next project on his horizon is dredging the river - without this he predicts the end to boats coming up the river.

Leah Jones on board.

We numbered around 100 people. In her prime this vessel was crewed by 2 men when fully loaded.  It is a treat to be on such a beautiful, lovingly restored vessel and I would highly recommend this journey.

Bug Hunting Off - Event Cancelled

Unfortunately the bug hunt scheduled for Sunday March 14 has been cancelled.  

Warwick went to check the showing during the weekend.  The bank which he described previously as comparable to looking at the night sky was a dull show.  This is presumably due to the recent warm temperatures.

My apologies for the disappointment.  Perhaps this is an opportunity to join the snorkeling at Leigh earlier the same day instead.