Events: Pest Free Pt Chevalier

This month we were going to help with some pre-planting weeding at Te Mahurehure Marae, but we’ve had to cancel that one. Instead we are heading to Motions Road Reserve. This is an area which will get some enhancement planting in a couple of months. This will improve the range of species and hence the native biodiversity. This month and next we’ll be clearing weeds to make way for the plants.

Meet on the grass at 136 Motions Rd, by the tram crossing and the Pasadena reserve footbridge.

Bring your favourite gardening gloves and secateurs if you have them, but we’ll also have spare gear you can borrow. And if you don’t have two hours to spare, drop in for as long as you can manage.

Contact [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]; 021 150 8284

Group: Pest Free Pt Chevalier

Pest Free Pt Chevalier is all about improving the native biodiversity of our little suburb. Many of us trap rats, a few trap possums and others are involved with controlling weeds in our reserves. But how do we know we are making a difference. One measure is to track changes in the makeup of our bird population by doing Five-minute bird counts (5MBCs). Yes, just five minutes looking and listening for birds can contribute to a growing database of bird activity.

• If you’ve done 5MBCs, please come along and help out those who haven’t.
• If you know your birds but have never done 5MBCs, come and learn how.
• Even if you don’t know your birds, now is a great time to start learning and contributing to citizen science.

What: We’ll be briefly teaching how bird counting is done then getting straight into the practical stuff, a series of 5MBCs at reserves around Pt Chev: Walmer Reserve, Moa Reserve, Pasadena Reserve, Waiōrea bush reserve. Those who want can then stick around for a cuppa and a debrief at the Urban Ark office in the Waiōrea Community Recycling Centre.

When: Saturday 17 May, 8am. The early bird gets the worm: the early birder gets the decent 5MBC. Birds are most active in the morning, so we’re starting at 8am. Bring along your wake-me-up brew and congratulate yourself with getting back home with a job well done before the reast of the household is up.

Where: Walmer Reserve, 76 Moa Rd. Meet on the grass and look for the Urban Ark flag.

What to bring: weather-appropriate clothing, strong footwear, binocular if you have them (we’ll bring spares)

Contact: Paul Whitfield [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

Group: Pest Free Pt Chevalier