The small kōwhai ngutu-kākā,(kakabeak, Clianthus puniceus) plants in the nursery have all been growing well over the summer, and were beginning to outgrow their pots (PB¾’s). They were all re-potted into PB3’s which will give them plenty of space to develop between now and this year's planting season. There is still plenty of germination occurring in the kōwhai ngutu-kākā seed trays that were only sown last month, and several plants were pricked out from these and moved into their own pots. These seedlings will grow quickly and should be ready to be planted in this year’s planting season.

More kōwhai ngutu-kākā (kakabeak) seed was scarified and sown. Scarification involves cutting a very small chip out of the outer shell of the seed (the ‘seed coat’), which allows water to penetrate into the seed activating germination. Scarification of kōwhai ngutu-kākā,seeds is fiddly work as the seeds are only 1-1.5 mm long. Though tedious, this treatment is worthwhile as germination after scarification is rapid, occurring within a few weeks rather than months if the seed coat were to be left to naturally degrade.

Native broom (Carmichaelia australis) and mingimingi (Leucopogon fasiculatus) were also sown in the nursery. Both of these species are typical components of the cliff scrub that crowns the tops of many less-modified cliffs on the Hauraki Gulf Islands. This cliff scrub was likely once the favoured haunt of kōwhai ngutu-kākā, and thus native broom and mingimingi will be used as companion plants for that species on Motuihe.

The last seeds to be sown on the day were of koheriki (Scandia rosifolia). About 200 koheriki were planted across Motuihe last year, and they have grown very well in most places. The seeds sown this month were collected last month from the Inner Gulf island’s only known wild population, and will contribute to the genetic diversity of the new population on Motuihe. (Ben)
 

Photo: Scandia rosifolia in flower (Lois Badham)

Sunday Feb 23rd General Volunteer Day


Photo: View from the beach (Pierre Hermann)

A full water taxi took keen volunteers to the island on a beautiful summer day. For many volunteers it was their first or second trip to the island, and Motuihe was showing it's full spectacular colours.

Phil LaR and Ian led a team of weeders to above Ohinerau to continue the ongoing battles against mothplant and tobacco weed. Unfortunately pods are starting to form already on some of the mothplant vines, earlier than usual. Jill S led an enthusiastic team in the nursery to prick out spinifex and pingao seedlings. There are so many benefits of re-establishing these plants along our beaches, not least the stabilisation of the sand dunes and offering protection to our dotterel chicks from the ever-present gulls.

Some of our penguin team visited burrows for the final check of the season. Expecting that all of our birds would have moulted and left to go fishing, the team were surprised to see one last korora in its burrow, fully moulted and ready to head off in its new plummage. There will be some new nest boxes established in remote places over the winter.

A big call out to Fiona, who spent the day looking after the many activities she takes care of for the Project - restocking first aid kits, woolshed maintenance and supply, painting the rails on the new deck, checking the water at the pond, and heritage tasks on the headland.  It highlights the huge range of tasks that are associated with our project, and also how lucky we are to have such dedicated volunteers to make sure things run smoothly. (Jill)