A team of six joined the Motuora Restoration Society (MRS) on their monthly trip from Sandspit to Motuora Island, situated south of Kawau Island.
The MRS vision is to create a sustainable environment with native bush and a variety of wildlife. Baby Kiwis are raised on the island, and many endangered birds are cared for here. Giant wetas have been translocated too.
Landing off the ferry into the tide, we followed the team to the briefing area.
They led us to the northern end of the island where they are establishing a gannet colony.
The area had long grass sprayed but needed clearing.
Sixteen decoy gannets are placed on the site to attract new birds with a recorded daytime bird call played in season.
Some have already nested here successfully, and they hope for more each year.
Evening calls for Shearwaters are also made to attract them back to their nests higher up the nearby bank. (Solar powered speakers).
We also viewed Pycroft Petrel chicks in their nests and a blue penguin nest nearby.
It was pleasing to see the tree growth of those we had planted in 2004! We are likely to offer to assist the restoration group on future occasions.
Giant Weta