Lake Okareka - Pest Control Newsletters

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - March 2017

15/3/2017

The Pest Control Project for 2016 has been completed with no problems reported. The warning signs have been removed but please remember that the NO DOGS restriction remains. All Scenic Reserves in New Zealand have a NO DOG policy at all times.

The annual meeting between Department of Conservation, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Forest and Bird has been held recently to review the results from 2016 and to plan the programme for 2017. The details regarding the pesticides to be used and the exact dates they will be in the bait stations are still to be finalised.

There was an excellent result with the mistletoe count at the Okareka end of the project area. In 2001, before the pest control started, DOC surveyed the area and returned a count of 218 plants. In 2016 the same area had 2,034 healthy plants. This shows the benefit of pest control for the mistletoe and we also gain the increased bird life and healthier bush.

We are delighted to continue receiving reports of increased bird song and activity in the village. The bird count was done in November and confirms the general increase in numbers. We are very grateful to Jenny Grace and Margaret Dick who organise this and then produce a professional report.

Please let me know if you are interested in joining our volunteers. Each year one or two of our regulars have to leave us, as the years creep up on them. Some new people would be very welcome. It is a satisfying project to be involved in and we have some interesting discussions after working bees while sharing a cuppa and muffins.

We also have a roster of people checking and maintaining the Mistletoe and Nature Walks. This involves checking the walks at the beginning of your month on duty and doing any trimming or clearing that is necessary. Any windfalls requiring a chainsaw to clear should be reported to DOC or us. Please let me know if you would like to be included in either of these activities.

The first working bees (9am to 12 noon) to prepare for bait laying in the spring are:

Trimming Lines, checking stations etc:
May - Friday 12th and Saturday 13th
June - Sunday 18th and Monday 19th
July - Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd

Hoping to see some new faces at working bees this year.

Frances Blakely
jandfblakely@gmail.com - phone: 362 8480

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - December 2016

19/12/2016

The pest control project for 2016 is now complete. The toxins of Pindone and Feratox® (cyanide) were used again this year, and the results are shown on the chart below. It was disappointing to find the rat numbers had increased instead of reducing. Several other projects in the area have also reported low pre-baiting numbers for rats and a poor reduction post baiting. The reason is unknown. At Tikitapu there was plenty of bait left when the stations were cleared but obviously the rats had found other food more to their liking!

The caution period for the reserve will continue until the signs are taken down, approximately 4 months after the stations were cleared. This time is required for the complete decomposition of the carcasses and degradation of the bait. Until the signs are removed please do not touch any and remember to keep dogs out of the reserve at all times.

The annual monitoring of bird activity in Tikitapu Reserve to determine if bird abundance is increasing as a result of the pest management strategy, has now been completed. A comprehensive report, including comparisons with counts made in previous years will be prepared for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council which supports the pest control programme.

A monthly roster of volunteers ensured the Mistletoe and Nature walks were checked and maintained.

A big thank you to all those who have helped with the Tikitapu Pest Control Project this year. The project depends on your assistance.

New volunteers are always welcome and if anyone is interested in being involved in the pest control programme, or going on the roster to check the Nature and Mistletoe walks, please let me know. Some of our older volunteers are finding they are no longer able to continue with this project and we would love to get some younger people on the volunteer list.

Frances Blakely
Phone: 3628 480
Email: jandfblakely@gmail.com

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - September 2016

27/9/2016

The programme for the 2016 Tikitapu Pest Control has proceeded as planned, with the Pindone and Feratox ® (cyanide) baits put out into the bait stations on the 5th and 6th August. Stations were topped up two weeks later and it is intended to clear the stations of any remaining bait on September 18th and 19th.

At this stage we have found 58 possum and 2 wallaby carcasses and expect to find more when the stations are cleared. Post bait monitoring will then be carried out to see how successful the baiting has been in reducing rat and possum numbers.

Although there should be no bait in the stations after the end of September, the area must be treated with caution until the signs are removed, approximately the end of January.

The pesticides used are effective and safe when properly handled. The use of bait stations allows for the pesticide to be made available to target pest species while at the same time restricting accessibility to native and non-target species. However there is a risk of poisoning to humans and non-target animals such as dogs if the bait is handled carelessly or eaten. Poisoning can occur through eating baits or poisoned animals.

The risk to dogs from pesticide in carcasses will remain until the carcasses have decomposed, which can be up to or more than six months. These risks can be eliminated by following these simple rules:

DO NOT handle any bait
DO NOT allow CHILDREN to wander unsupervised in the treatment area
DO NOT bring DOGS into this area
DO NOT take ANIMALS for eating

The presence of Warning signs indicates that pesticide residues may still bepresent in baits or animals. The removal of signs will tell you that you can resume normal activities in the area. If in doubt, check with DOC.

What do I do if I suspect poisoning?
Always contact your:
Local doctor, or
Local hospital or
National Poisons Centre 0800 764 766

The Department of Conservation has recently carried out a mistletoe count in the Okareka end of the reserve and are delighted with the increased number of plants found, and the way they are spreading towards the Tikitapu end. It is due to the presence of the two endangered species of mistletoe found in the reserve that DOC, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Forest and Bird (Rotorua Branch) combined resources to commence the Pest Control Project in 2003.

The Rotorua Botanical Society control pest weeds and also plant new mistletoe host plants. Okareka residents have benefitted from this with not only the increased presence of mistletoe, but also healthier bush, more birds and less rats and possums, both in the reserve and the village.

Bird counts will be repeated in November.

A small number of plants left over from the planting working bee around the Tarawera Road refuse transfer station will be used to infill a few gaps in the reserve. Otherwise there has been no planting programme required.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped at the working bees. I am always delighted to have new people to add to the volunteer list. Please contact me if you would like more information or to be added to the list.

Frances Blakely
jandfblakely@gmail.com
Phone 362 8480

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - June 2016

24/6/2016

The 2015 Pest Control Project was completed with the removal of the poisons signs at the end of January. There were no problems encountered during the project. This year the Pindone and Feratox® baits will go out early in August and once the stations are cleared in September Feratox® strikers will be put out to target wallaby. It is hoped that the numbers of possums and rats will have been reduced to low levels by then, as when strikers were used in place of the Feratox® capsules in 2013 the rats and possums treated them as toys and destroyed them.

This year’s Pest Control Programme has commenced with the first working bees to trim the lines and to check the bait stations are intact. The programme for the remainder of the year is:

Tikitapu Working Bee Programme 2016
Trimming Lines, checking stations etc.
Sunday 19th and Monday 20th June
Friday 1st and Sunday 3rd July

Pre Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out – Saturday 23rd July
Trakka cards in – Sunday 24th July
Wax tags in – Saturday 30th July

Bait laying – Pindone and Feratox® capsules
Baits out – Friday 5th and Saturday 6th August
Top up – Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd August

Clear stations and put out Feratox® strikers – Sunday 18th and Monday 19th
September

Clear Feratox strikers - Sunday 16th and Monday 17th October

Post Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out – Saturday 22nd October
Trakka cards in – Sunday 23rd October
Wax tags in – Saturday 29th October

Bird counts will be repeated in November.

There will be a small amount of infill planting this year – date to be finalised. We would be delighted to have some more people assisting with these projects. Some of our regular volunteers have found the years are catching up on them and they are no longer able to participate in working bees. Lake Okareka is a great place to live and healthy bush and bird life are a vital part of its attraction.

If you would be interested in helping please contact:
rances and James Blakely
Email: jandfblakely@gmail.com
Phone: 3628 480.

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - March 2016

21/3/2016

ROTORUA BRANCH OF FOREST & BIRD’S TIKITAPU SCENIC RESERVE PEST CONTROL PROGRAMME

The Pest Control Project for 2015 has been completed successfully with no problems reported. The warning signs have been removed but please remember that the NO DOGS restriction remains. All Scenic Reserves in New Zealand have a NO DOG policy at all times.

The annual meeting between Department of Conservation, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Forest and Bird has been held recently to review the results from 2015 and to plan the programme for 2016. It is intended to repeat the combination of Pindone pellets and Feratox® capsules in the bait stations and follow up with Feratox® strikers with the aim of reducing the increasing wallaby numbers in the area. Subject to DoC approval of the Work Plan, the working bees will be:

Tikitapu Working Bee Programme 2016

Trimming Lines, checking stations etc.
May - Friday 13th & Sunday 15th
June - Sunday 19th & Monday 20th
July - Friday 1st & Sunday 3rd

Pre Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out – Saturday 23rd July
Trakka cards in – Sunday 24th July
Wax tags in – Saturday 30th July

Bait laying – Pindone and Feratox® capsules
Baits out – Friday 5th & Saturday 6th August
Top up – Sunday 21st & Monday 22nd August

Clear stations and put out Feratox® strikers – Sunday 18th & Monday 19th September

Clear Feratox strikers - Sunday 16th & Monday 17th October

Post Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out – Saturday 22nd October
Trakka cards in – Sunday 23rd October
Wax tags in – Saturday 29th October

We are delighted to continue receiving reports of increased bird song and activity in the village. The bird count was done in November 2015 and confirms the general increase in numbers. We are very grateful to Jenny Grace and Margaret Dick who organise this and then produce a very professional report.

Please let me know if you are interested in joining our volunteers. Each year one or two of our regulars have to leave us, as the years creep up on them. Some new people would be very welcome. It is an interesting and satisfying project to be involved in and we have some interesting discussions after working bees while sharing a cuppa and muffins. We also have a roster of people checking and maintaining the Mistletoe and Nature Walks. This involves checking the walks at the beginning of your month on duty and doing any trimming or clearing that is necessary. Any windfalls requiring a chainsaw to clear should be reported to DoC or us. Please let me know if you would like to be included in either of these activities.

Frances Blakely jandfblakely@gmail.com

LAKE OKAREKA GARDEN BIRD SURVEY 2015

19/3/2016

Thanks to the thirteen households that participated in the Okareka Garden Bird Survey in 2015. The survey is based on the National Garden Bird Survey that has been running since 2007. A summary of the first four years data from the national survey can be found at http://newzealandecology.org/nzje/3043.pdf.

Eighteen species were observed at Okareka in both 2014 and 2015. These were:

Bellbird
Blackbird
Chaffinch
Dunnock
Eastern Rosella
Fantail
House Sparrow
Greenfinch
Grey Warbler
Kereru
Magpie
Myna
Red-billed gull
Silvereye
Song Thrush
Starling
Tui
Yellowhammer

Goldfinch and black-backed gull were observed only in 2014. Australasian harrier, welcome swallow and Californian quail were observed only in 2015. House sparrow and silvereye had, respectively, the largest and second largest number of birds recorded in any one garden in both years. Blackbird and tui were seen in at least 80% of the gardens surveyed in both years. Kereru were seen in between 60% and 70% of the gardens in both years, with nine birds being seen in one garden in 2015. In contrast, Kereru numbers have been very low in the Forest and Bird 5-minute bird count survey in Tikitapu Scenic Reserve.

Other species seen in at least 60% of gardens in both years were bellbird, house sparrow and silvereye. Fantails were seen in 80% of the gardens in 2014, but only in 46% of the gardens in 2015.

UPDATE ABOUT GARDEN BIRD OBSERVATIONS AROUND LAKE OKAREKA

Since the Garden Bird Survey around Lake Okareka properties was carried out by locals back in June 2015, many people have commented about the increasing numbers of California quails observed in the settlement area, over this spring and summer. Some local people attended a Predator Free NZ Workshop that was held in Rotorua towards the end of 2015, where this same observation was reported.

The response from the organisers and some participants was that if you are seeing more California quails in your local area that generally means that you have less predators such as rats and mustelids (stoats, weasels and ferrets). Quail are ground dwelling birds, so to be successful breeders there needs to be less predators. So these birds are another success story for all of those involved with pest animal control around Lake Okareka.

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - September 2015

24/9/2015

The programme for the 2015 Tikitapu Pest Control has proceeded as planned, with the Pindone and Feratox (cyanide) baits put out into the bait stations on 7 and 8 August. Stations were topped up two weeks later and it is intended to clear the stations of any remaining bait on September 20 and 21.

At this stage we have found slightly more possum carcasses than the total for last year, and expect to find more when the stations are cleared. Post bait monitoring will then be carried out to see how successful the baiting has been in reducing rat and possum numbers.

Although there should be no bait in the stations after the end of September, the area must be treated with caution until the signs are removed, approximately the end of January.

The pesticides used are effective and safe when properly handled. The use of bait stations allows for the pesticide to be made available to target pest species while at the same time restricting accessibility to native and non-target species. However there is a risk of poisoning to humans and non-target animals such as dogs if the bait is handled carelessly or eaten. Poisoning can occur through eating baits or poisoned animals.

The risk to dogs from pesticide in carcasses will remain until the carcasses have decomposed, which can be up to or more than six months. These risks can be eliminated by following these simple rules:

DO NOT handle any bait
DO NOT allow CHILDREN to wander unsupervised in the treatment area
DO NOT bring DOGS into this area
DO NOT take ANIMALS for eating

The presence of warning signs indicates that pesticide residues may still be present in baits or animals. The removal of signs will tell you that you can resume normal activities in the area. If in doubt, check with DOC.

What do I do if I suspect poisoning?
Always contact your:
Local doctor, or
Local hospital or
National Poisons Centre 0800 764 766

There have been two successful planting working bees:

A combined one with Forest and Bird, Rotorua Botanical Society and Landcare Okareka when an area opposite Benn Rd was planted
Assisting Kiwi Conservation Club to extend their planted area at Hamurana.

There have been many comments regarding the increase in bird song, particularly tui. Bird counts will be repeated in November.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped at the working bees. We were very fortunate to have several DoC staff join our working bee during Conservation Week and their presence was greatly appreciated.

I am always delighted to have new people to add to the volunteer list. Please contact me if you would like more information or to be added to the list.

Frances Blakely jandfblakely@gmail.com
Ph 362 8480

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - June 2015

26/6/2015

The programme for the 2015 pest control has commenced with two working bees held in May to commence preparing the lines. The programme for the rest of the year is:

Tikitapu Working Bee Programme 2015

Trimming Lines, checking stations etc.
June - Sunday 21st & Monday 22nd
July - Friday 10th & Sunday 12th

Pre Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out—Saturday 25th July
Trakka cards in – Sunday 26th July
Wax tags in – Saturday 1st August

Bagging baits
Wednesday 5th August
Wednesday 19th August

Bait laying
Baits out – Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August
Top up – Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th August
Clear stations – Sunday 20th and Monday 21st September

Post Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out - Saturday 26th September
Trakka cards in – Sunday 27th September
Wax tags in – Saturday 3rd October

There will also be two planting working bees which are ideal for people who are no longer able to manage going up and down the bait lines.

Saturday 22nd August, a combined working bee with Forest and Bird, Rotorua Botanical Society and Landcare Okareka to plant opposite the start of Benn Rd, in behind the area planted several years ago. Sunday 6th September, assisting Kiwi Conservation Club to extend their planted area at Hamurana.

Bird counts will be repeated in November.

We would be delighted to have some new volunteers join us for these projects. Our working bees start at 9am and we expect to be finished by 12 noon. Reasonable fitness is required.

Frances Blakely
jandfblakely@gmail.com

Tikitapu Scenic Reserve - March 2015

25/3/2015

TIKITAPU SCENIC RESERVE PEST CONTROL PROGRAMME

The annual meeting between DOC, BPRC and F&B has been held recently to review the results from 2014 and to plan the programme for 2015. It is intended to repeat the 2014 combination of Pindone Pellets and Feratox® capsules. Subject to DOC approval of the Work Plan, the Tikitapu Working Bee Programme will be:

Trimming Lines, checking stations etc.
May Saturday 16th & Monday 18th
June Sunday 21st & Monday 22nd
July Friday 10th & Sunday 12th

Pre Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards & Wax tags out Saturday 25 July
Trakka cards in Sunday 26th July
Wax tags in Saturday 1st August

Bagging baits
Wednesday 5th August
Wednesday 19th August

Bait laying
Baits out Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August
Top up Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th August
Clear stations Sunday 20th and Monday 21st September

Post Bait Monitoring
Trakka cards and Wax tags out Saturday 26th September
Trakka cards in Sunday 27th September
Wax tags in Saturday 3rd October

Following the expiry of the four months required for the poison warning signs to be in place after the removal of the bait from the reserve, and the decomposition of the two caged carcasses, the signs have now been removed from the reserve. Although there should be no toxin present now, please remember that dogs are still not allowed in the area as it is a Scenic Reserve.

Please let me know if you are interested in joining our volunteers. Each year one or two of our regulars have to leave us as the years creep up on them. Some new people would be very welcome. It is an interesting and satisfying project to be involved in and we have some interesting discussions after working bees while sharing a cuppa and muffins.

Frances Blakely blakelys@xtra.co.nz

Okareka Mistletoe Restoration Project

24/3/2015

Mistletoe Monitoring Report Published June 2014
Paul Cashmore

The Department of Conservation has just published a report compiled by Johlene Kelly of Alchemists Ltd analysing the results and producing conclusions from 15 years of mistletoe monitoring at the Blue Lake Holiday Park and 11 years of monitoring in Tikitapu Scenic Reserve. The latter is part of the 150ha which have been under active animal and plant pest management since the early 2000's as part of the Okareka Mistletoe Restoration Project being undertaken by Rotorua branch of Forest and Bird and Rotorua Botanical Society with support from the Department of Conservation and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

There are two green mistletoe species present in Tikitapu Scenic Reserve, the largest population being Tupeia antarctica with a smaller population of Ileostylus micranthus present mainly around Blue Lake Holiday Park. As the Okareka Mistletoe Restoration Project was founded partly on the presence of a reasonably large population of mistletoes present in Tikitapu Scenic Reserve, it made sense to monitor changes in the health, distribution and abundance of these two species as a key indicator as to whether the project was meeting its objectives (set in 2002), one of which was to increase the distribution and numbers of two mistletoe species (Ileostylus micranthus and Tupeia antarctica) within the management area.

The monitoring consists of transects and plots established within Blue Lake Holiday Park and in the known mistletoe area in the NE corner of Tikitapu Scenic Reserve bordering Okareka Loop Rd and Benn Rd. Monitoring involved scoring both tagged mistletoe plants and their host trees for a range of health indicators using what is known as the Foliar Browse Index (FBI) monitoring method (Payton et al, 1999) modified for mistletoe monitoring (Department of Conservation, 2001). This included setting up 7 recruitment plots in areas where no mistletoe were present to monitor changes in mistletoe distribution and abundance. FBI monitoring at Blue Lake Holiday Park commenced in 2001 and 2002 in Tikitapu Scenic Reserve before intensive pest management began and was re-measured in 2007 and 2012 at Blue Lake and in 2007 and 2013 at Tikitapu Scenic Reserve.

Results and Conclusions

At Blue Lake Holiday Park
-          Health of existing mistletoe plants (both Tupeia and Ileostylus) has improved while health of hosts has remained stable.
-          There is an ongoing high mortality of host trees (mainly kohuhu and five finger), and hence mistletoe plants as a result. In 2011 only 8.6% of the sample of monitored mistletoes tagged in 1997 were still alive. In 2011 only 34% of the mistletoe sample tagged in 2001 were still alive. As possum browse scores have been low and have declined since 2007 the host tree death is generally believed to be largely due to the short lived host trees dying of old age rather than possum impacts.
-          It is unclear whether there is wider mistletoe recruitment at this site or not as with limited forest area within the holiday park site there is only one recruitment plot.

At Tikitapu Scenic Reserve
-          Health of mistletoe species (Tupeia) and its host trees showed a very slight decline over time for both hosts (five finger) and mistletoes but overall has been relatively stable.
-          Possum browse on both mistletoe host trees and Tupeia mistletoe plants was negligible and results indicate that possum browse was relatively low prior to control beginning as well.
-          As possum browse scores are very low small changes in Tupeia mistletoe and host health over time maybe due to age of monitored individuals.
-          Total Tupeia mistletoe volume (length x width x height) showed a large increase from 2002 to 2007 and then a decrease from 2007 and 2013. Reasons for this are unclear but may be related to increasing poor condition as mistletoes age and smaller new mistletoes are being recruited into sample size.
-          There has been 20-30% host tree mortality between sampling events, and again like at Blue Lake this probably indicates the relatively short lived nature of the host trees.
-          Seven recruitment plots established showed zero mistletoe plants in 2001, 22 in 2007 and 127 in 2013. The % of all FBI plots with 1 or more live mistletoe was 50% in 2002, 68% in 2007 and 77% in 2013.

These results demonstrate that there has been a massive increase in both Tupeia mistletoe numbers and density within the management area from recruitment of new plants. While this has likely been assisted by possum control measures, other factors such as an increase in bird numbers from rat and possum control may have assisted in dispersal rates.

Summary
-          Therefore it is likely that ongoing possum control is having a positive impact on mistletoes at both Blue Lake Holiday Park and Tikitapu Scenic Reserve. With the benefit of possum control, the Tupeia mistletoe population is now expanding throughout suitable habitat within the reserve into areas it was not previously present. Results for Ileostylus are less clear mainly because of the very small number of plants present in Tikitapu Scenic Reserve but suggest it is at least stable at Blue Lake Holiday Park.
-          This monitoring indicates that the Okareka Mistletoe Restoration Project has met their objective to increase the distribution and numbers of Tupeia antarctica within the management area.

This report shows some good results which although not all as clear cut as we would like it does demonstrate that the project has met at least one of its key objectives in regard to mistletoes, which are the key iconic species partly around which the project was set up. Mistletoe monitoring will continue on a 5 yearly basis to determine future trends in mistletoe health, abundance and distribution within the reserve.

The Department of Conservation wishes to thank all the volunteers from Rotorua branch of Forest and Bird, Rotorua Botanical Society and other locals who have assisted with the animal pest control and mistletoe monitoring programme since 1997. Anyone who would like to see a full copy of the report can contact Paul Cashmore at the Department of Conservation, Rotorua District Office on pcashmore@doc.govt.nz or phone 07 3497 432.

References

Department of Conservation. (2001). Mistletoe Recovery Group - Best Practice for Monitoring Loranthaceous Mistletoe - WSCCO- 22338. Department of Conservation.

Kelly, J. (2014). Tikitapu Scenic Reserve mistletoe (Tupeia antarctica and Ileostylus micranthus) monitoring 1997-2013. Report prepared by Alchemists Ltd for Department of Conservation, Rotorua.

Payton et al. (1999). Foliar Browse Index: A Method for Monitoring Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) damage to plant pecies and forest communities. Wellington: Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research.