Pingouins en Kayaks

Today we journeyed back to Akaroa, one of the first places we went to on this trip. We stopped for a quick tea time at Little River and made our way to meet up with the Pohatu Penguin Conservation group. Pohatu Penguin focuses on the conservation of the Little Penguin, with many threats to combat such as exotic mammalian predators, invasive plants taking over such as gorse, and habitat loss. Started 30 years ago by Shireen and Francis Helps, they have focused on boosting the population of the Pohatu colony. Kevin and Ben would be our tour guides for the day, greeting us with their friendly faces and French accents. We made the drive to Flea Bay where the real fun would begin. Even though the name sounds hostile, the origin story explains the truth. When settlers first arrived at Flea Bay, it was during the summer which is molting season for the Little Penguins. They shed their old feathers, a process which takes about 2 weeks, in order to have fresh feathers that are more waterproof and durable. During this, the infamous sand fleas of New Zealand take advantage of the penguins long stay on land and show up in hordes. Thankfully we are here in the winter and did not have any visits from sand fleas.

Our new friends!

We were immediately greeted by 3 residents of the area and even had the chance to feed our new friends. After a quick lunch, we began to prepare for our sea kayaking excursion. Equipped with wet suit skirts, lifejackets and paddles, everyone paired up and made the trek to the bay side. Kevin and Ben gave us a safety briefing which included how to paddle, what to do if our boats tip over, and what to do in case both Kevin and Ben are lost at sea. With most of us taking our shoes off and losing feeling in them almost instantly, we sent the kayaks off into the bay. We did our best to keep our distance from each other but also stick close to Ben as he talked to the group about the penguins and fur seals of the area. We were lucky enough to see a pair of penguins up on a cliffs edge, as well as fur seals, a few pied shags, and a giant petrel flew right by us a couple of times. We toured around the cove, hearing about the success story of this Little Penguin colony. 7 years ago there were only about 300 breeding pairs and as of 2016 there are at least 1100 breeding pairs in this colony. With traps put out around the bay in hopes of catching rats, possums or mustelids, the penguins have had a much better chance of survival with the lower number of predators.

Everyone preparing for the cold water

Action shot of the group

We got to see paua shells on the beach!

After the 2 hour tour, we head back inland for the opportunity to see one of the penguins up close. The area has 400 small boxes all over for the penguins to nest in for they prefer to be in dark places such as cliff sides, burrows that they sometimes dig, tool sheds and boxes like the ones they have out. Little Penguins are territorial and need at least 10 meters (about 30 feet) away from one another, so the boxes have been placed accordingly. With cameras ready, Kevin lifted the lid off of the female Little Penguins box and we got about 15 seconds to marvel at her. 

Little Penguin up close

Heading back to Akaroa and bidding Kevin and Ben goodbye, we stopped at the Bach café for an afternoon tea time before making the journey back to Lincoln.

With today being a true outdoorsy adventure, tomorrow we should be having a more mellow and artistic experience.
-Grace

Restoration by the Coast

Today, we went to Hauroko, a Banks Peninsula covenant, next to a township and Birdlings Flat. Once arriving at Hauroko, we were met by one of the Banks Peninsula's team members, Sophie, with whom we previously worked at another covenant not too far away.  Previously, this piece of land was a dairy farm but was converted into a covenant in 2005. With this 18.7 hectares of land being so close to the coastline, it has extremely unique ecology, and essentially its own ecological district.  The sand and gravel on the property from the beach add to the uniqueness of the property where a variety of native coprosma are growing. The main objective of the restoration was to aid in the ongoing battles with weeds in the area by removing as many as we could find, but mainly Parsley, Karo (Pittosporum Crassifolium), Pig's Ear (Cotyledon Orbiculata), and Purpurea Linaria.  We split into two groups, with one group going to the back of the property and the other going by the road, to begin our restoration.

Amazing view of the Alps from the covenant

Perfect hosts for our restoration project

 Grace with her Parsley

Group photo after a hard days work

 Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains

Overall,  the restoration was a huge success.  The main species of weed that was removed was Parsely, but many others were found and taken out as well.  After seeing all of the bags of weeds that we removed, it was very satisfying to see the difference that we made.  Hopefully, next year's group can continue the progress that this property has seen due to the hard work of Banks Penisula Trust and our own program. - Joe

Birds, Beaches, and Bright Skies

       Our first day back in Lincoln was a well welcomed sunny one. Compared to the grey and wet west coast, we were all pretty happy to be back on campus and shed off a few layers. The first stop of the day was to meet Dr. Colin Meurk and his PhD student at Travis Wetland. This area used to be dairy land and in the 1990s there was talk of filling in the wetlands for housing. Thankfully, in 1997 the City Council acquired the land and set up the nature heritage park we now know as Travis Wetland. Hundreds of birds call this place home and we were fortunate guests. We all walked the 2.5-mile perimeter of the wetlands, noting the various plant species and birds that we encountered on our journey. 

                      Dr. Meurk educating us on the background and importance of Travis Wetlands.

                                 Some black swans and multiple ducks that call Travis Wetlands home.

       Today, we were conducting bird surveys to get a better idea of the avian species that inhabit this other-worldly dwelling. Everyone paired up and conducted either a point count, standing in one area and identifying and counting every bird you see in a 10-minute time frame, or a count on a transect, looking in one direction for 20 meters and then in the other for the same amount of time while identifying and counting all birds within the area. It is very important that birds flying over or through your area were ignored for the survey. 

                                                                                 Conducting a bird count.

                                  Just one of the data sheets completed on the transect for the bird count.

       Our next stop was at New Brighton Beach. Dr. Meurk pointed out the exotic grasses, that were originally introduced by Europeans, and how they were still dominating these coastal areas. After dipping our toes in the icy Pacific water, we ran across the street to the playground and instantly became kids again. This particular playground was home to the infamous Flying Fox, a zipline type of ride. Sadly, it was not functioning today but we all still made use of the giant climbing tree, see-saw, slides, and swings. 

                                                             All of us at New Brighton Beach. 

                                                       Giant climbing tree at the playground.

       Next, Dr. Meurk took us to the Red Zone, an area highly affected by the liquefaction caused by the 2010-2011 earthquakes. The entire area used to be suburbia, but after the houses were deemed un-liveable the government had to set up a department responsible for managing the evacuation of the area, removal of houses, and turning it into a parkland environment. Dr. Meurk also explained to us how the land is managed currently is not ideal. Extensive mowing and spraying of plants are actually discouraging the growth of native seedlings and encouraging the growth of various weeds. 

              The Red Zone, previously all suburbia, is now a parkland environment.

           Dr. Meurk pointing out that extensive mowing and sprawing 

         has caused a severe decrease in growth of native coprosma.

  

       Our very last stop of the day was at the Avon Heathcote Estuary. This area is also a huge habitat for waterfowl and migratory species. The estuary actually opened up the area and allowed high tide to come in and be a more suitable habitat for these birds. 

       The class at Avon Heathcote Estuary.

       The water was alive with birds and seemed so picturesque with the setting sun casting its golden hue on the landscape. We all finally piled back into the Gator Waka satisfied with our experiences of the day and eager for what tomorrow will bring.

- Tatiana