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
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
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