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19 January 2005
A few years ago tui were rare visitors to the Miramar peninsula,
and those that did visit were just “passing through”. Now, after
two years of intensive possum control, it looks as if the peninsula
has become a more attractive spot for tui to settle down and raise
their families.
Greater Wellington Regional Council has received confirmed
reports of tui nesting – and breeding - in the Massey Memorial
area.
“At least two juvenile tui were spotted at the Memorial last
week,” said Greater Wellington biosecurity officer, Glen Falconer.
“This is the first known instance of tui breeding on the peninsula
for many decades. In the past there was nothing to keep tui here,
now the improved health of the bush is making it an area where they
are comfortable enough to breed, which is very exciting news.”
Greater Wellington’s pest animal team began eradicating possums
from the 800-hectare peninsula in February 2003. According to Mr
Falconer the programme, jointly funded by Greater Wellington and
Wellington City Council, has been very successful.
“By February 2004, no bait had been taken from the 630 bait
stations for two months which was an extremely promising sign,”
said Mr Falconer. “The airport provides a barrier for re-invading
possums and there’s nowhere for the possums to re-colonise from, so
there’s a good chance we can keep them out of the peninsula
completely. This has improved the overall health of the bush
remnant network for birds to immigrate or colonise through.”
Many Miramar peninsula residents have been involved with the
possum control programme. “Residents have been extremely patient
and helpful throughout the past few years,” said Mr Falconer. “More
than 100 landowners have allowed us to treat possums on their land
and many residents have kept an eye out for possums, or signs of
possums. This co-operation has helped the operation go so well.”
Possums are kept at low levels in key reserves throughout the
region as part of Greater Wellington’s Key Native Ecosystem (KNE)
programme to protect and enhance native plants and birds.
The KNE programme aims to create safe sanctuaries for native
birds to disperse from throughout the Wellington region. Miramar
Peninsula is seen as a key link in the corridor from the Rimutuka
Ranges to East Harbour Regional Park and across to the Karori
Wildlife Sanctuary.
Ends
For further information, or to report a possum on the Miramar
Peninsula, please contact:
Glen Falconer
Biosecurity Officer (Animals)
Greater Wellington Regional Council
P 04 526 5327
M 027 248 1657
E glen.falconer@gw.govt.nz
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