skinks and geckoes
We are very fortunate to have Dr Keith Corbett join our
committee in recent months. Keith is a long-time
conservation campaigner who moved here last year from
the UK. Keith's passion is the protection and preservation
of lizards and he has become the champion for skinks and
geckoes, threatened by development and lack of
understanding, in our region.
At our AGM in May Keith gave a fascinating talk,
illustrated by some lovely slides, about New Zealand
lizards and particularly the ornate skink, copper skink and Copper skink. Photograph by D R Towns.
moko skink present on the Navy land at the end of
Whangaparaoa Peninsula and around the Hibiscus Coast.
Because these creatures are generally nocturnal, and hard
to see even when they are not, they are often overlooked in
conservation plans and development processes. Keith is
here to see that this is no longer the case, and showed us
photographs of skink habitats and work done on the Army
land at Shakespear. Keith is one of the few people in this
area to have a good word to say about kikuyu grass - in the
absence of native plants like muelenbeckia, toe toe and
native grasses, kikuyu forms an ideal habitat for skinks.
A colony of ornate skinks has been identified at our
conservation and restoration project at Raroa, and is being
considered in the management plan currently being Shore skink. Photograph by G H Sherley.
developed.
Join us on Saturday June 25th for a walk across the Navy land, with Keith's help we may be able to spot
some of these fascinating creatures (and it's a lovely piece of bush).
Hibiscus Coast Forest and Bird Committee
Pauline Smith, Chairperson 426 4244
Phillip Wrigley, Dep Chairperson/ KCC Liaison 427 8996
Rita Wilkes, Minutes Secretary 424 5056
Derek Lamb, Treasurer 427 8911
Hibiscus Coast Branch of the
Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society
All correspondence to Box 310, Orewa
Pigeon Post May 2005 Page 8
Newsletter of the Hibiscus Coast Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society
Issue 45 May 2005
SPEAKERS ORGANISER
Someone to to organise speakers for
our Branch meetings. You will need to
make a few phone calls four times a
Raroa Reserve
year when we set up our programme,
The long dry spell has tried the manual irrigation 'system' at the ready for each issue of Pigeon Post. We
nursery, but few plants succumbed to dehydration. Growth of have lots of ideas and contacts, but
the native trees on the reserve has been slow, however - the we need someone to talk to the
relentless kikuyu seemingly the only plant flourishing. speakers and arrange for them to
A few more exotic trees have been felled and burning/cleaning come.
up restarted to make way for the planting season. The Foodbank TRIPS CO-ORDINATOR
Garden people are clearing the upper terrace for planting this
spring. We run a Branch trip each month, and
need someone to make contact with the
A neighbour has reported a kaka, once, and morepork on the locations or organisations we are
reserve. Also possums, so if anyone has an old, unutilised visiting (ARC, etc) if necessary, and
Timms trap we could borrow it would be appreciated. Rat then to take phone bookings and
Kathryn Davies 428 4415 poison has also recently been disappearing. co-ordinate details with participants.
Spencer Drinkwater 427 5517 There are management issues that continue to be raised and an CORRESPONDENCE SECRETARY
important site meeting was held recently with DOC area
Keith Corbett 424 8083 Clear Post Office box and record and
manager Rolien Elliot, Liz Maire (DOC), John Wilcox
distribute incoming mail. Manage
(Foodbank Garden) and four Forest & Bird members. There
outgoing mail and assist with
seems to be a consensus emerging to retain more of the
submissions to council, government
macrocarpa trees than the three that have been earmarked for
etc.
preservation to date. This may well be fortuitous because Alex
and Spencer’s chainsaws have been showing signs of expiring COMMITTEE MEMBERS
from the wear and tear! However, not so fortunate for those
We are a reduced committe this year
neighbours having to clean up debris in their gardens from and would welcome more members to
overhanging mature trees. Debated issues include site access help us keep the Branch moving
options, weeds, the planting plan, the extent of skink habitat to forward to bigger and better things.
be retained and in what form, money, and manpower.
Many thanks to Robert Amor who
On a positive note, the emerging pongas on the slope along from looks after our website and email list,
the nursery look spectacular and we hope for the first kowhai and Diana Fraser, Lisa Clapperton and
blossoms later in the year. Joyce Williams who have offered to
Spencer Drinkwater help on Branch special projects.
If you can help in any way please
contact Pauline ph 426 4244 or
(More Branch projects on Page 6) email the branch at
hibsfbird@yahoo.co.nz.
Pigeon Post May 2005 Page 1

At the start of the year, the committee set 5 goals. Progress on these has been good, and we are now
reviewing and revising our goals for the next year.
1. The survey of members
The questionnaire survey of the membership was completed with 62 completed from a database of
153. Members requested that the emphasis for the meeting s should focus on local rather than regional
or national issues,with regular updates on local initiatives.
The enthusiasm for the field trips was great. We had several requests for easier walking field trips to
cater for our aging membership, so we have tried to include easier variations of some of the walks.
Daytime speaker presentations were also requested, but we haven't been able to do anything about that
yet, with not enough members attending meetings to make it feasible.
2. Closer liaison with RDC
The development of closer links with the Rodney District Council has worked to some extent. We
have tried keeping to the fore the objectives of Forest and Bird Head Office, which include clean
water, and predator control. We have been part of the planning process for the future of Rodney.
Unfortunately the liaison disappeared with the development of the Whangaparaoa College, and the
clear felling of most of the vegetation on the site. Dr Keith Corbett has been battling for the skinks at
the sewerage site on the Navy land, and more recently, the total annihilation of the bush in Ferry Rd, in
preparation for new housing development. The East Point project at Manly is still unresolved.
3. Promotion of predator eradication
Our efforts in this regard have concentrated on Crocodile Island, but if members have ideas of other
areas where we can make a difference, we are open to suggestions. We intend to do some publicity
work on this subject soon.
4. Increase in membership to 360 by June 2006
We are still lagging behind in branch membership, with a current total of 159, but we have plans for
increasing this in the coming year.
5. Continue with our Land care projects at Crocodile Island, and Raroa, and Wenderholm.
We have continued with maintenance of Crocodile Island, and potting up and planting at
Wenderholm. See the Branch Project reports for more information.
We are taking a new look at the Raroa Project. A combined meeting of all parties interested in
Raroahas helped with the communications and planning for the future of the site. Now that skinks have
been discovered on the site, it is imperative we have a management plan to provide cover and
protection for them. A planting schedule and preservation of macrocarpa is proposed, as geckos live in
the trees and need protection until we can develop a new home for them in the regenerating bush.
Communication
Other small achievements have been the establishment of an email address for us and the input of the
membership database. Please give us your email address if you are not receiving notices from us about
coming events, contact us at hibsfbird@yahoo.co.nz.
We have increased publicity about Branch activities, with information available through
HibiscusLink (www.hibiscuslink.co.nz), Rodney Times radio, and the Coaster and Rodney Times.
We have also struck closer ties with other branches of Forest and Bird, and the Auckland Naturally
programme, and this all strengthens our branch.
Committee
Not having a secretary has made it difficult to manage the correspondence, and a new secretary would
be most welcome for the coming term. Rita has faithfully recorded the minutes of the meetings, but
there is a considerable amount of correspondence to be dealt with. Derek Lamb stepped in through the
year as Treasurer, and we welcomed Dr Keith Corbett to the committee over the last two months.
I am prepared to continue as the Chairperson for another year, but would appreciate assistance with
secretarial work, and the speaker and trip programme. My thanks to my hard working committee, who
each have contributed to make this a successful year.
Pauline A Smith
argentine ants
In March we had an interesting and informative talk from biologist Neil Henderson, about the
Argentine ant. This is one of the world's most invasive ant species and has been present on new
Zealand for the last 15 years.
Argentine ants are small (2-3 mm long) and honey-brown in colour. They are often seen moving in
thick trails of up to five ants wide and, unlike most other ants, they climb trees to get to food sources.
These ants threaten native species in our area, by eliminating
other species of ants, competing with kiwi for food such as insects
and worms, competing with other native birds and lizards for
nectar, displacing and killing native invertebrates, and even
attacking and eating baby birds in their nests.
To reduce the spread of Argentine ants, you should:
• Remove or securely store food, keep waste bins clean
• Trim trees near your house to stop bridging
• Reduce moisture sources eg leaking taps Magnified photo of an Argentine
ant - actual size 2-3mm
• Block up obvious entry points
• Check potted plants if moving them
• Check your vehicle and camping gear regularly
• Spray or check plant cuttings before giving them away.
Argentine ants are not susceptible to normal ant baits, mainly because nests are so large and are not
dependent on single queen but have many highly mobile queens who canquiclly establish new
colonies. Contact Flybusters for an effective bait to use against Argentine ants:
enquiries@flybusters.co.nz or phone 09 486 4411.
Kayaking on orewa estuary
In March we had a beautiful day for kayaking on the Orewa estuary, calm and sunny as we set out, with
a breeze picking up later in the morning. We meandered amongst the mangroves, trying various routes
as far as we could before some interesting manoeuvring to get everyone turned around and back to the
main stream. Good for improving kayaking skills!
A successful bird rescue took place after a gull was spotted
in difficulties in the middle of the estuary. Closer
investigation found the bird entangled in fishing line which
had also bound up a large clump of seaweed. With a careful
approach with a pocket knife the tangle was cut away and
the bird flew off.
We followed the stream as far as we could, pausing for
morning tea on a sunny slope beside the water.
The next kayak trip is planned for Saturday October 8 on the
Waiwera Estuary. Bring your own kayak or hire a double
kayak for $25 per person (including lifejackets). It's a lot of Kayakers taking a break in the sun on a trip
up the Orewa estuary in March.
fun, with good company guaranteed. See the programme for
details.
save the albatross campaign
The major Forest & Bird appeal at present is the campaign to save the albatross.
In 1996, three out of 21 albatross species were threatened with extinction.
Today that number has risen to 19 out of 21 species. Because New Zealand is
the albatross capital of the world, we have a special responsibility to act to help
save them before it’s too late.
Your donation to the appeal will help make a difference. Use the envelope sent
directly from F&B head office, send your donation to us to forward on, or
donate online at http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/support/donate/appeal.asp.
 At the Branch AGM on May 26, the election of the We have a branch website, hosted by
Branch committee for 2005/06 was held, with results the national Royal Forest and Bird
as follows: Society. Take a look at
KCC is the children's division of Forest & Bird. Our local group meets once a month, usually at
Shakespear Park, with field trips to other locations. Most members are primary school children who Chairperson: Pauline Smith http://www.forestandbird.org.nz
must be accompanied by an adult on trips. Recent field trips have been fascinating, and well attended. Deputy Chair and and follow the link under Branches. Our
On 1 April, sixteen of us walked out to Mahurangi Island, off Waiwera beach, at low tide. We Branch activities and projects are able
KCC co-ordinator: Philip Wrigley to be searched on the site.
approached from the northern, Wenderholm side, exploring rock pools and going to the furthest most
point of the reef. We explored a shipwreck there before wading across the Waiwera River and over the Treasurer: Derek Lamb You can also find our activities and
sand banks to the main road carpark. Unanswered questions that arose were: What is the name of the Minutes Secretary: Rita Wilkes contact details on Hibiscus Link
ship and when and how was it wrecked? Is, or has, the island ever been privately owned? Is, or has
there been, hot water anywhere on Waiwera Beach? Committee: Spencer Drinkwater http://www.hibiscuslink.co.nz under
On 13 May 20-odd of us explored the cliffs at Fisherman's Rock. Rodney Hutchison, a geotechnical Kath Davies Clubs and Community Organisations
engineer, explained the cliffs' origin as sand and mud layers in ancient seas 25 million years ago. He then Environmental Clubs and Groups.
Keith Corbett
showed us where embayments in the cliff were caused by ancient earthquakes faulting the ground and We are using email increasingly as a
creating weaknesses for waves to attack. While the rocks are old, the cliffs are young with erosion of means of notifying members of trips,
up to 5 metres a year to be expected. Iron in the deposits created what looked like patches of rust. Many thanks to retiring committee members Eleanor speakers and other activities. If you are
For upcoming local activities check out the programme in this newsletter, or contact Philip Wrigley Marwick, Noeline Sinclair, Carrie Drinkwater and not currently on our email list, please
for more information, ph 427 8996 or email Philip.wrigley@samsonhardware.co.nz . Robert Amor for their input and support in the past. send your email address to
hibsfbird@yahoo.co.nz.
As you can see, this is a very small committee, and we
Tiritiri Matangi would welcome anyone who would like to join us to The email list is confidential and used
help with the successful operation of the Branch. See only for Branch notices. It will not be
This is not a branch project, but made available to any other person or
as many of our members are the WANTED notice on the front page for details.
group. Typically you will receive
Wenderholm potting up days keen supporters of Tiritiri messages 2 or 3 times a month with
Matangi, we thought we'd reminders of upcoming events.
For more than 10 years our branch has had a monthly session include a brief update.
doing volunteer work at Wenderholm Regional Park.
Members help out with light work in thenursery or potting The new visitors’ centre is now Safety has recently been in the forefront with one notices
shed at the park, with tasks such as weeding, pruning, potting closed in and looking grand. The participant in our last kayak trip suffering a fractured wrist
out or planting, as directed by an ARC Park Ranger. Morning undoubted highlight of the year after a fall. Weed control: Now is the time to tackle
tea is provided and the company is great! to date is the eight (or is it nine?) two of the common pest plants in our
surviving kokako chicks from Safety aspects of our trips are always considered, and a area. Cut seed heads off wild ginger and
Anyone who would like to join our group is most welcome. the most successful breeding first aid kit is carried byu the trip leader. However, your dig up the crowns. The crowns need to
Meet at Wenderholm btween 9.30am-12pm on the second season of this species to date. well-being is primarily your own responsibility. Please be carefully disposed of, as new plants
Wednesday each month (check our programme for details). Stitchbirds (hihi) have also had a select trip options appropriate for your level of fitness and grow easily from broken rhizomes.
good season and a second batch be suitably prepared on trips.
Agapanthus, while traditionally a
Crocodile Island of 30 or so have been flown to PROTECTION FROM THE WEATHER popular garden plant, forms huge root
Wellington for release at the clumps that spread widely, and prevents
Kath Rhodes continues to manage/monitor the bait stations Karori sanctuary. Whiteheads Weather can change unexpectedly , so ensure you have a
(thank you, Kath) and reports a recent upsurge in bait take. warm jacket or jumper, rainwear and appropriate footwear. the regeneration of native plants. Again,
were also exported to cut off seed heads and carefully dispose
Reinvasion of the island predators is obviously occurring. Waitakere’s Ark in the Park FIRST AID
Perhaps we need to enlist the support of local property owners of the roots.
project last year and are reported While the trip leader will have a first aid kit available, you
and extend the bait stations to the adjoining mainland. to be settling in well. Contact the ARC for more advice on
may want to carry some of your own first aid supplies, and removing these and other pest plants.
any personal medication you may need.
FOOD AND DRINK Puketi Forest Trust requires
useful or interesting websites assistance. Sponsor a hectare for $50 to
It is always wise to carry a drink and an energy snack, even assist in pest control and forest
Auckland Regional Council www.arc.govt.nz on a short trip. For longer trips, ensure you have a management, or sponsor a trap or tack
Ministry for the Environment www.mfe.govt.nz substantial lunch with sufficient for snacks along the way. for $10, $20 or $25. In return you'll get a
STAY WITH THE GROUP membership certificate acknowledging
NZ Trust for Conservation Volunteers www.conservationvolunteers.org.nz your valuable contribution. Phone Gary
NZ Native Forests Restoration Trust www.nznfrt.org.nz Do not leave the group for any reason without telling Bramley 09 405 0074.
anyone. While you may be fully capable of looking after
Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz yourself, you may cause needless concern for the rest of ARC tree planting days 10.00am -
the party. 3.00pm at Scandrett Park Sunday 12th
NZ Landcare Trust www.landcare.org.nz June, or Long Bay dunes planting
CHILDREN Sunday 26th June.
Children must be accompanied by an adult on any trip.
Pigeon Post May 2005 Page 6 Pigeon Post May 2005 Page 3
 Calendar for Hibiscus Coast Branch Members Night, Presbyterian Church hall, Centreway Road, Orewa, 7.30pm.
June to November 2005 Thursday Dave Pattemore from Auckland office will share with us the progress of Auckland
August 25 Naturally. Understand how the Hibiscus Coast can be part of the overall concept for the
Auckland Region, linking all the bush areas from Tiritiri to Hunua to the Waitakere
Kiwi Conservation Club. Learn about bird rescue. Sylvia Durrant, who saves birds in Ranges. Please bring a plate for a shared supper, and stay to enjoy a chat. $3 door charge.
Friday distress adn releases them back into the wild, will give us a talk and bring along some of
the birds in her care. 4pm at the Old Woolshed, Te Haruhi Bay, Shakespear Park. $2 fee. Trip to Ark in the Park, Waitakere Ranges. Car pool at Silverdale Tennis courts beside
June 10 Saturday the Rotary Club rooms at 9am. Bring food, drink and stout walking shoes. What will we
Contact: Philip Wrigley ph 427 8996, email philip.wrigley@samsonhardware.co.nz see in this original forest park? It will be very different from our developing Coast.
August 27
Branch meeting, Presbyterian Church hall, Centreway Road, Orewa, 7.30pm. $3 trip fee applies.
Helen Lindsay, technical support contract officer for DOC, will be speaking about the Raroa working bee—53 Stanmore Bay Road, 9am–noon.
Thursday restoration of our Raroa conservation project, and the best ways of dealing with the land, Saturday
planting programmes, weed eradication and the preservation of suitable habitat for skinks. September 3 Contact: Spencer Drinkwater 427 5517
June 23
This meeting will commence promptly at 7.30 pm, speaker first on the agenda. Wednesday Wenderholm Regional Park nursery potting and planting, ARC Nursery 9.30am–noon.
$3 door charge. September 14 Contact: Rita Wilkes 424 5056
Walk over Navy land at Shakespear Regional Park. Assemble at Waterfall car park, at Branch meeting, Presbyterian Church hall, Centreway Road, Orewa, 7.30pm.
9am. Walk into the Navy Land, observe the plantings by Friends of the Navy. Pass the Thursday
earthworks for the new sewage plant. Keep an eye out for the skinks peculiar to the area. Tawharanui Regional Park, one year on from the predator proof fence being erected, and
Saturday September 22 the massive poison drop. Jo Ritchie will bring us up to date with the progress in the Park,
Carry on through the Navy land to the Rodney District Council bush block and out to the
June 25 end of the Peninsula. Notice the effects of predator trapping all over the land. Walk back the successes and the parts which still need more attention. $3 door charge.
over the Shakespear Regional Park. Bring stout walking shoes, lunch and a drink. Trip to Tawharanui Regional Park.. Ramble over the park, inspect the predator proof
$3 trip fee applies. fence, and observe the changes in the landscape since the huge predator eradication
Saturday programme last year.. Tim Lovegrove reports over 100 bellbirds in the park at present, and
Sunday Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Incorporated (SOSSI) Planting day and AGM. September 24 the lizards are multiplying beyond belief. We will be walking over wetland areas, bush and
Planting on the dunes at Te Haruhi Bay from 10 am, with AGM at 1pm in the Rangers' sea shore, and expect to see a huge range of species. Bring lunch, drink.
June 26 office.
Car pool at Orewa North bridge, beside the scout hall, at 9am. $3 trip fee applies.
Saturday Raroa working bee—53 Stanmore Bay Road, 9am–noon.
Saturday Raroa working bee—53 Stanmore Bay Road, 9am–noon.
July 03 Contact: Spencer Drinkwater 427 5517 October 1 Contact: Spencer Drinkwater 427 5517
Kiwi Conservation Club. Tree planting day - give something back to nature. meet at 10am
Sunday Wednesday Wenderholm Regional Park nursery potting and planting, ARC Nursery 9.30am–noon.
at the Old Woolshed, Te Haruhi Bay, Shakespear Park. Bring gloves and spades.
July 10 October 12 Contact: Rita Wilkes 424 5056
Contact: Philip Wrigley ph 427 8996, email philip.wrigley@samsonhardware.co.nz
Wednesday Wenderholm Regional Park nursery potting and planting, ARC Nursery 9.30am–noon. Waiwera River kayak trip. Meet 9.30am in carpark beside main road/boat ramp.
July 13 Contact: Rita Wilkes 424 5056 Saturday Bring lunch and change of clothes. Reasonable fitness level required for approx 3 hour trip,
October 8 return soon after 1pm. Bookings essential. $25 each or $5 if using own kayak.
Tripto Motuora Island for planting of trees to assist with the Restoration of the Island, in Phone Spencer/Carrie 427 5517.
the morning and a good explore in the afternoon. This is a group booking for Hibiscus
Coast Forest and Bird. Bookings by 12 th July are essential. Price depends on numbers. Branch meeting, Presbyterian Church hall, Centreway Road, Orewa, 7.30pm.
Sunday Thursday
If weather is too rough defer to the Society trip on the 31 st July. Ferry departs from October 27 Tiritiri Matangi, our own jewel in the Gulf. A speaker from the Friends of Tiritiri will give
July 17 Sandspit $15 per head, children under 12 free. us an overview of the development of the island. $3 door charge.
Car pool at the Scout Den, Orewa North car park. Times differ for each option. Trip toTiritiri Matangi. Bookings are essential. Book direct with Fullers 09 367 9102.
Book with Pauline 426 4244. Saturday Ferry leaves Auckland 9am, Gulf harbour at 9.45am, returning at 3.15pm back at Gulf
October 29 Harbour and Auckland at 4pm. Bring lunch and drink. Adults $25 return, children under 15
Branch meeting, Presbyterian Church hall, Centreway Road, Orewa, 7.30pm. $15 per head. You will need to book at least one week ahead.
Thursday Vote for the Environment. Hear what each political party is prepared to do for the
July 28 environment. This will be a combined meeting with Mid North. Public are welcome to End-of-year barbecue at Shakespear Regional Park. Meet at the barbecue just inside the
attend. $3 door charge. Thursday lockup gates, beside the duck pond, from 5.30pm. Bring the family, and your own food and
November 24 drink. Lovely evening walks over the park, through the wetlands area and up Waterfall
Saturday Raroa working bee—53 Stanmore Bay Road, 9am–noon. valley. We might see the glow worms, and a huge range of insects.
August 07 Contact: Spencer Drinkwater 427 5517
Wednesday Wenderholm Regional Park nursery potting and planting, ARC Nursery 9.30am–noon. Change of venue??
August 10 Contact: Rita Wilkes 424 5056
We are considering moving some of our Branch
Kiwi Conservation Club. Members evening. Bring something from nature, or a picture or meetings to the Peninsula, to Stanmore Bay or
Friday
model of it, that you would like to talk about with the others(parents too!). Be creative. It Whangaparaoa. This would possibly allow some of
will be deep mid-winter but we'll be cosy in the Old Woolshed, Te Haruhi Bay, Shakespear our members to attend who don't like to travel to
August 12 Park. Meet at 4pm. $2 fee. Orewa at night.
Contact: Philip Wrigley ph 427 8996, email philip.wrigley@samsonhardware.co.nz
Please let us know which you would prefer: meetings
to be held in Orewa or Whangaparaoa.

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