ARTICLE : Pigeon Bush Reserve

 Pigeon Bush Reserve

Pigeon Bush Location. Map courtesy NZ Native Forests Restoration Trust.

Pigeon Bush Reserve is owned by the New Zealand Native Forests Restoration Trust.   At 1157 hectares it is the largest of their reserves.   It lies between Rimutaka and Tararua forest parks and borders most of the south side of SH2 from near the Rimutaka summit down to about 1.2 km from Featherston (apart from a narrow strip beyond the deep bend, which is forest park land).   It extends right over the range and much of it goes right down to the Wairarapa – Wellington railway line. Pigeon Bush Reserve links Rimutaka and Tararua forest parks, providing an assured corridor for wildlife, and is especially significant in being the only protected lowland forest link between the forest parks.

Management of the reserve relies on the control of goats and possums.   The regenerating forest is on rugged, steep country which still includes large areas of gorse and stunted manuka on the warmer faces.   The southern moister slopes and valley bottoms are developing well.   It makes the control of noxious animals very difficult.   Goat hunters spent 16 man days ground hunting with dogs to get 66 goats and one deer last year.   This was a good result for the type of terrain and vegetation.   The hunters reported vegetation in some areas was fairly well eaten out.   Plans for more time this coming summer are advanced, provided funding can be obtained.   Recreational hunters keep pig numbers under control.   The Trust received funding from the Biodiversity Fund to help with goat culling and some fencing, but future funding is not yet known.   Greater Wellington Regional Council undertakes regular possum control and monitoring which is funded by Council and the Animal Health Board (as part of bovine TB control).   The farmland perimeter control this year has been very effective with a residual trap catch of 0.04% – 13 random lines each of 10 traps for 3 nights and only one possum caught!

Development of tracks within the reserve is progressing but is dependant on the labour of the honorary ranger and other volunteers.   While there is access from Featherston – Cross Creek Road (tourist signpost Western Lake Road) across farmland to Prince Stream – Whare Gully, it is unfortunately limited to Trustees.   The current track development is the cutting of a route from SH 2 ‘deep bend’ up to the ridge and then down the headwaters of Prince Stream past waterfalls to the main stream, and eventually linking with Whare Gully.

The New Zealand Native Forests Restoration Trust is still purchasing land for reserves.   The most recent acquisitions are Omoana Reserve in southern Taranaki, Opoutama Wetland Reserve in Hawke’s Bay and Ross Bishop Reserve in the King Country.   Trustees were also behind the drive to purchase Motu Kaikoura near Great Barrier Island for conservation.   This will be managed by a separate Trust.   The Trust is considering or negotiating for blocks in the Coromandel and the lower South Island.

Manuka.   Photo: Jeremy Rolfe.

The Trust now has 22 reserves to manage, and with pests and weeds, a block of bush is not able to be left to its own devices.   We have had considerable assistance from the Biodiversity Fund for some of our reserves, but for a limited period.   If you would like to help, please send a donation.   Many people are now setting up a regular automatic payment which provides a source of funds for day-to-day management of our reserves.

Please send any donations to:   New Zealand Native Forests Restoration Trust, PO Box 80 007, Green Bay, AUCKLAND 1007.

For information about setting up an automatic payment, please contact the Trust Secretary, either via the above address or e-mail: j.dart (at) xtra.co.nz .
The Trust is also pleased to announce the appointment of another Wellington Trustee, Tim Porteous, who is the Biodiversity Coordinator at Greater Wellington Regional Council;   Phone: 381 7774;   E-mail: Tim.Porteous (at) gw.govt.nz .
Jenny Rattenbury continues as a Trustee in the Wellington area.
On reserve operating matters contact David Burson, honorary ranger.   Phone: 479 6863;   E-mail: davidburson (at) xtra.co.nz .

David Burson, Trustee

Postscript

Goat hunting in Pigeon Bush Reserve is coordinated with DOC and their programme for the adjoining Rimutaka Forest Park.   Since writing the article, DOC has advised that, based on the 66 goats killed in 2003, the man-days for 2004–05 should be increased to over 50!   Unfortunately, that cost cannot be financed.   However, any financial support received will be spent on increased hunting time.

For further information on Pigeon Bush see NZNFRT web site www.nznfrt.org.nz/projects/rimutaka.php.