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MATIU MATTERS – May 2008
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Tetragonia tetragonioides. Photo: Jeremy Rolfe.
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Three species have been added to the regionally threatened plant species beside Forest & Bird House on Matiu / Somes Island. They are Leptinella nana, Acaena pallida and Tetragonia tetragonioides / kOkihi, thanks to Jill Broome at Percy Scenic Reserve. Not threatened, but occurring at few sites on the island, is Linum monogynum / rauhuia, with large, white flowers. The nursery has been weeded and is looking tidy. The irrigation system failed to deliver sufficient water last summer, when the lack of significant rainfall, and warm weather, caused us concern. Working parties now go once a month; only limited potting up is required.
The island’s big news is the return of two young tuatara hatched from eggs laid on the island, and incubated at Victoria University. The occasion was celebrated on 24 November, when more green geckos and ornate skinks were also released. There are now four skink species – green-spotted, copper, common and ornate, and three gecko species – common, forest and green. Then there are tuatara, present in 1877, and reintroduced in 1998. More North Island robins have been transferred from Karori Sanctuary, to augment the declining number from the original 2006 introduction. Perhaps the dry weather, and competition from the considerable lizard population, has reduced insect numbers in the leaf litter. We hope that the new arrivals survive and thrive.
Stan Butcher
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MATIU MATTERS – September 2007
Botanically there is little new to report about Matiu / Somes Island, that gem in Wellington Harbour. Tree planting is now much reduced as the 25-year programme winds down. Fortnightly, Sunday-group planting days will cease; small, infill planting will be done fortnightly by Lower Hutt Forest and Bird’s, Monday work parties. The branch appreciated the help of the small BotSoc party on 1 July. They expressed surprise (and implied censure?) to see well-grown Meryta sinclairii / puka beside the track above the western coast. The Department of Conservation has employed contract planters to work on some of the steeper areas. There are now 18 threatened species in the small garden beside Forest and Bird House. More are being sought.
The big news is the discovery of a clutch of Brothers Island tuatara eggs, the first proof that the adults introduced in 1998 are breeding. Two eggs were viable and have hatched. The young will be returned to the island. North Island robin numbers have declined despite successful breeding in 2006, their first year. This August, 10 more were brought to the island from Karori Sanctuary.
Stan Butcher
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MATIU MATTERS – May 2007
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Green gecko, recently released on Matiu / Somes.
Photo: Bryan Welch.
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Another plant can be added to the 146 indigenous species listed by Peter de Lange et al in Matiu / Somes Island – a plan for conservation management (Department of Conservation 9/06). It is Parsonsia heterophylla / akakaikiore / NZ jasmine, probably self-introduced, being among trees on the west coast, which was grass-covered before the revegetation programme began in 1981. When the management plan is reviewed, a list of seaweed species would be a valued addition.
This season Lower Hutt Forest and Bird will be planting on lawn areas retired by DOC, and among trees where light wells have been created by pruning ngaio which dominates the canopy. BotSoccers’ help would be welcome! – see Events section for working-bee times.
Eight animal species have been introduced: Cook Strait giant weta, Wellington tree weta, tuatara, kakariki, North Island robin, forest gecko, green gecko and ornate skink. We hope that fluttering shearwaters will be attracted by recorded bird-calls to artificial burrows at the south end of the island.
Red admiral butterflies are now rare after the virtual elimination of perennial nettle / Urtica dioica, a weed. Perhaps scrub nettle / Urtica incisa, or even ongaonga / giant nettle / Urtica ferox, should be introduced?
Stan Butcher
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MATIU MATTERS – December 2006
Forest and Bird’s Lower Hutt branch has completed 25 years of restoring native forest to Matiu / Somes Island. About 96,000 plants have been planted and the project is nearing completion, except for maintenance and enhancement for the next few years. The Department of Conservation celebrated the 25 years with a gathering on the island on 4 November. Twenty-five totara were planted, and after a powhiri, a plaque was erected as commemoration, followed by speeches, lunch and displays. That day the island was again made fully open to the public after many months during which asbestos roofing and wall panels were replaced. In the afternoon ornate skinks were released, and artificial burrows were dug with the hope that fluttering shearwaters can be attracted by sound recordings, to nest on the island. The threatened species garden beside Forest and Bird House has had its first plantings, viz: Discaria toumatou, Melicytus aff. obovatus, Muehlenbeckia astonii, Rubus squarrosus, Asplenium obtusatum, Aciphylla squarrosa, Arthropodium candidum, Euphorbia glauca, Peperomia urvilleana, Plantago raoulii, Senecio sterquilinus, Trisetum antarcticum and Tetragonia tetragonioides. More specimens of threatened species are being sought from DOC. Forest and Bird House is once more available to members of environmental organisations. Enquiries to Bill Draper, P.O. Box 31 194, Lower Hutt, phone 569 2542.
Stan Butcher
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MATIU MATTERS – September 2006
The Lower Hutt Forest and Bird project to revegetate Matiu / Somes Island with indigenous species is now largely complete in its 26th year. A few small areas remain, and there will be replacement and enhancement plantings for some years yet, while the regionally threatened plant collection will be developed. The Department of Conservation is planning commemorative gatherings on 14/15 October, subject to the island being fully open after confirmation that no asbestos fibres remain in the ground or inside the buildings. An area near the monument, with established speargrass Aciphylla squarrosa has been enhanced with further plantings in anticipation of the introduction of the speargrass weevil Lyperobius huttonii. Two further areas of speargrass have been established.
Plagianthus divaricatus has been planted along the eastern shoreline, as has Cyperus ustulatus. A second location of Linum monogynum has been discovered on the east coast, near the remains of the degaussing station operated by WRENS in WW2. Stan Butcher has successfully raised seedlings for transfer back to the island. DOC has recently done a further survey of weed species.
North Island robin Petroica australis longipes are thriving, with three nests located, and all twenty-one of the birds located in their territories all round the island. Kakariki / Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae continue to be heard and seen. Matiu / Somes Island is a great place to visit. Do go there.
Stan Butcher.
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MATIU MATTERS – April 2006
A start has been made in establishing a garden plot to hold specimens of some of the threatened plants of the Wellington region. A site beside “Forest and Bird House” was expanded by removing flax, hebe and senecio growing there, and by digging into the bank. Weed mat was laid and covered with bark chips. Two irrigation lines were laid by Lower Hutt Forest and Bird and an automatic timer unit installed by DOC. An initial list of 30 species was reduced to 17 by John Sawyer and Rob Stone. Some that were taken out were Pimelea prostrata, Peperomia urvilleana, and Linum monogynum: they had been suggested because they are present on the island but with only one observed specimen. Planting will begin in May. In July 2006 it will be 25 years since the revegetation programme began. This year’s planting will see the project largely complete. Most plants will be the successional shade / shelter-preferring species being held in the North and South nurseries. No. 2 nursery for pioneer species has been closed and the plant boxes disassembled. BotSoccers are invited to help with the fortnightly planting from 28 May. (See events section).
The forest, now well established on Matiu / Somes, has new inhabitants! Eighteen North Island robins were released with due ceremony and blessing on 5 April. These delightful people-friendly little birds join red-crowned kakariki, now well established and breeding successfully. There are (estimated) 60 present despite predation by NZ falcon. (What would you do if you saw an endangered bird attacking an endangered bird?)
The island remains open to the public but visitors are still limited to the circuit track and the Field Centre. Forest and Bird House will not be available until the area around the quarantine station, where asbestos roofing has been replaced, is cleaned up.
Stan Butcher
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MATIU MATTERS – September 2005
The year 2005 marks the 25th year of planting on Matiu / Somes Island by Lower Hutt Branch, Forest and Bird. In those years some 95,000 indigenous species have been planted. The programme to cover most of the island with a new forest is now virtually complete. Public areas will remain in pasture or lawn. Future work will be some in-filling with successional plants, and trimming back ngaios to create light wells for them.
A garden beside Forest and Bird House has been cleared and extended as the site for a collection of threatened plants of the Wellington region. Weed mat and mulch have been laid and a watering system installed, meaning it will be possible to begin planting in the coming months.
The island was temporarily closed because of the danger from asbestos flaking off the roofs of the quarantine buildings. It was re-opened to the public, but limited to the round-the island track and the track to the summit gun emplacements. Replacing the roofs with aluminium sheeting began on 13 September. It remains open to the public while the work goes on, but there will be no overnight stays until the work is completed. BotSoccers have always been welcome to use Forest and Bird House, which accommodates eight. Bookings can be made by writing to the Accommodation Officer, Forest and Bird, PO Box 31-194, Lower Hutt. Meanwhile, do visit the island and see the results of 25 years of restoring the forest’s cloak to Matiu / Somes Island.
Stan Butcher
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Hebe elliptica var. crassifolia.
Photo: Jeremy Rolfe. |
MATIU MATTERS – April 2005
Work continues in the Matiu / Somes Island Forest & Bird nurseries. Emphasis is on producing “successional” species for interplanting among the well-grown “pioneers”. There are over 4000 plants ready for planting this season. To prepare sites for them, the lower branches of ngaio are being trimmed, and lightwells created above the plants already growing well under the cover. Northern rata (Metrosideros robusta) are growing well, those in the open doing better than those in shade. A section of garden beside Forest & Bird House has been prepared for planting rare and endangered regional species this year. The garden will be of educational value and will provide stock for propagation. Large-leaved milk tree / Streblus banksii planted in several areas years ago are up to 3 m high. Hebe elliptica var. crassifolia of Titahi Bay provenance given to us by Olaf John are planted out and now in flower. They are all clones of one plant: we should look for other plants to widen the gene pool.
Kakariki, (red-crowned parakeet) are breeding well and can be seen or heard on most visits. Tuatara are readily seen on the tracks at night and are occasionally seen basking in sunlight. There has been no report of juveniles bred from the mature birds introduced in 1988. Do visit the island. The East by West ferry calls there three times daily if required.
Stan Butcher
STOP PRESS - As from early May 2005 Matiu (Somes) Island is closed to the public due to the finding of asbestous in one of the buldings on the Island.
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Weedbusting on Matiu / Somes – 7 November 2004
On 7 November, a group continued the removal of karo (Pittosporum crassifolium), from the island. Karo is a NZ native, but is not native to the island, and has become an ecological pest.
[Ed: Its natural range is North Cape to Poverty Bay (Flora of NZ Vol. 1 p 314-5)].
Source: Matiu Matters, 11/04. Newsletter of Matiu Somes Charitable Trust, Wellington Tenths Trust, ph 473 2502.
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Forest & Bird Matiu / Somes Island planting – 11 October 2004
Four BotSoccers joined a large group of Lower Hutt Forest and Birders on this fine, Spring day. October is usually too late for planting but this year’s plentiful rain has allowed for an extension to the planting season. Along with Mana Island, Matiu / Somes must surely be a Wellington equivalent of Auckland’s Tiritiri Matangi, i.e. the staged, long-term re-vegetation of a previously pastoral island, using local, native species. We were very impressed with the preparation and organisation evident at every stage of the planting, which was carried out with military precision and the cheerful cooperation of all concerned. The task of the day was to interplant the thriving shrubland of planted taupata and ngaio in “Lighthouse Valley” with longer-lived species to overtop the early successionals. Our small group were given the privilege of planting a grove of northern rata. It was a special pleasure to meet the Matiu / Somes Ranger, David Moss, who remembers us from our BotSoc trip based at Borland Lodge in Southland during his time as ranger there in 2000.
Participants: Chris Horne, Ann and Barbara Mitcalfe (scribe), Julia White and about thirty members and friends of Lower Hutt Forest and Bird. Workbee leader Stan Butcher.
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MATIU MATTERS – October 2004
Another successful planting season on Matiu / Somes Island has ended with 5000 ecologically sourced natives planted by volunteers and fortnightly work parties. DOC contract planters have added a further 1500. Soil conditions could not have been better, with regular rainfall from May to September. All the available spaces have now been planted, including parts of the lawn around the quarantine station and houses. The task for the future lies in opening up spaces among the well-known pioneers, for successional species. This is work for small teams; the days of large group plantings are now behind us. The Lower Hutt branch of Forest & Bird look back to 1981 when the revegetation project began. 90,000 plants later they have seen a green cloak cover most of the island, offering habitat for the introduction of tree and giant weta, tuatara and kakariki, with other species to come. Karo, Pittosporum crassifolium, is an unwanted species on the island. Both DOC and Forest and Bird have worked to eliminate it, often to the surprise of visitors, who say, “But it’s a native plant!” Boxthorn, Lycium ferocissimum, elderberry, Sambucus nigra, and gorse, Ulex europaeus, are the other weed tree / shrub species now largely controlled. There are 159 non-native species in the plant list included in DOC’s Matiu / Somes Island – a plan for conservation management, September 2000. Twenty-five are grasses and 125 are herbs; clearly the island can never be returned to a wholly indigenous plant cover.
Stan Butcher
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MATIU MATTERS – April 2004
In 2002 we measured northern rata, Metrosideros robusta, grown from seed in 2000, to establish a baseline for measuring growth rates under various conditions. (See Dec. 2002 item below). On 13 April 2004, sixteen months later, we re-measured them. Results briefly:
• Under full shade – little height gain.
• In open spaces between 1–2 metre high shrubs – moderate gain though some were overgrown by the surrounding trees.
• On open ground initially without shelter but gradually protected by adjacent plantings – best growth; these trees had increased their height by 80% in the sixteen months. The height gains were respectively, 58cm, 58cm, and 50cm.
Four thousand plants will be planted in May, the twenty-fourth annual planting. Some areas, where losses have occurred, will be infilled, some new, open areas will be planted with pioneer plants. Most of the plants will be planted as successionals within the established, young forest. Here it is necessary to trim back or remove the vigorous ngaio, Myoporum laetum, to provide light wells into which they can grow. BotSoccers are warmly welcome to join in the work. See EVENTS section.
The new Field Centre Manager, David Moss, has been welcomed with his wife and two young children. He shares our enthusiasm for New Zealand’s botanical treasures.
A pair of kakariki / red-crowned parakeet, introduced in 2003, have raised three young. DOC plans to release more pairs from Kapiti Island in May.
Do visit the island some time soon, or, better, spend a night in Forest & Bird house. (Contact Nancy Bell, 567-1686).
Stan Butcher
Please ring Stan on 567-7271 if you would like to receive a copy of the two complete sets of data.
Matiu / Somes Island tree planting. Sundays: 30 May, 27 June, 25 July, 22 August, 19 September. Free transport by East-West ferry from Queens Wharf at 8.30am, or Days Bay at 9.15am. Bring lunch. Contact Alex Kettles 569 6208 or Stan Butcher 567 7271.
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MATIU MATTERS – December 2003
The 2003 restoration planting ended in October with 5763 locally sourced indigenous trees put in by four group plantings and by the fortnightly working team. DOC has installed a spray irrigation system on the eastern side of the Quarantine Paddock where most of the plants went. This should ensure their survival through the dry summer months. In addition, sucessional species were planted within the established forest where light wells had opened up. Future plantings will increasingly be in these sheltered areas now that most open areas have been filled with pioneer plants. DOC workers have done much planting in less accessible sites with plants obtained from outside sources and from Forest and Bird nurseries.
There are plans to establish a collection of regionally threatened plants beside the Forest and Bird house. Waiting in the nurseries are: Euphorbia glauca, Discaria toumatou, Rumex neglectus, Acaena pallida, Rubus squarrosus, Tetragonia tetragonioides, Muehlenbeckia astonii and Clematis afoliata. Streblus banksii is now established to 2.5 metres high. Work is underway to remove karo / Pittosporum crassifolium. Many young seedlings are found among the established trees and these are being removed. It is some years since BotSoc visited Matiu / Somes Island to make a species list and to attack weed pests. Perhaps it is time to make another foray?
Stan Butcher.
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MATIU MATTERS – June 2003
Last season’s plantings on Matiu / Somes Island suffered badly from the drought, with a loss of over 80%. The major planting in the Quarantine Paddock was also affected by grazing sheep breaking through the insecure electric fence. Trees planted in previous years showed signs of stress but recovered well. The three plant nurseries have their own watering systems, and now hold some 7000 locally-sourced seedlings ready to be planted when the soil is sufficiently moist. The May planting was cancelled, and the 22 June one will need more rain before it can proceed. By then we expect that DOC will have installed a sprinkler system over part of the new planting area in the Quarantine Paddock. The planting of successional species in the shelter of the well-grown pioneer species may have to wait until July. BotSoccers are warmly invited to help in the group plantings.
Red-crowned parakeet / kakariki were liberated on 7 June with due ceremony. They were all males, to test whether they would remain resident, and to see if they have an adverse effect on the vegetation. If successful, pairs will be brought from Kapiti Island in 2004.
The few surviving Cook’s scurvy grass, Lepidium oleraceum, were lost during excavations for the new composting toilet. About 100 plants from Mana Island seed were planted four years ago; all failed, with the exception of those that survived under the macrocarpa west of the wharf.
Stan Butcher
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Matiu / Somes Island. Photo: Jeremy Rolfe. |
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MATIU MATTERS – December 2002
Forest and Bird’s 2002 planting season on Matiu / Somes Island ended in September with a tally of 6693.
There was a good response from voluntary planters, up to 45 on each of the five group planting days. The fortnightly work day team contributed to the total plantings.
Production of plants for the 2003 season is continuing. Small plants purchased by DOC are being potted on, along with all the contributions from home nurseries. And now two chainsaws are at work creating light wells for the successional species. The removal of karo, Pittosporum crassifolium, not a naturally-occurring plant of the Wellington Ecological District, is providing the first sites.
One addition has been made to the plant species list – Parsonsia heterophylla. A well-grown vine was found among trees on the west coast. It was self-sown.
A kereru has been seen on the Island these past two months. Tree lucerne Chamaecytisus palmensis, planted with kereru in mind, provides food especially in winter.
Forest and Bird House with accommodation for eight is available to BotSoc members. Contact Nancy Bell, 567-1686.
Stan Butcher
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Northern rata monitoring on Matiu / Somes Island – December 2002
Wellington Botanical Society is interested in the growth rates of northern rata, Metrosideros robusta in the Wellington region. BotSoc is strong in its advocacy for the planting of northern rata instead of pohutukawa, Metrosideros excelsa.
On Matiu / Somes Island, four contrasting sites were chosen for monitoring growth rates. These were:
• open area in full sun, in grass (Nos. 1,2 & 8)
• open area in full sun, sheltered by shrubs (Nos. 3,4 & 7)
• within tall trees below a light well (No. 5)
• within tall trees under closed canopy (No. 6) We will advise you of progress with the trial in future Newsletters.
Stan Butcher, Lower Hutt Forest and Bird
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MATIU MATTERS – September 2002
May 2002 set off the twenty-second year of planting on Matiu / Somes Island by the Lower Hutt Branch of Forest and Bird. Pioneer species are being planted in the Quarantine Paddock, the last grassed area available for revegetation. Successional species are being planted through the well-grown forested areas. These include Myrsine australis, Dysoxylum spectabile, Rhopalostylis sapida, Hedycarya arborea, Beilschmiedia tawa, Alectryon excelsus, Metrosideros robusta, and Melicope ternata. “Light wells” in the closed canopy are being opened by thinning and pruning the trees through which the successionals can grow. Experience shows that interplanting should begin when the pioneers reach 2 - 4 metres with open space still among them. In the older forest the trees are of such size that considerable work is required to take some out, prune back and stack the trash. This season has been blessed with abundant rain so there is hope that there will not be the losses of the last three years.
DOC is considering the introduction of red-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae). Food supply for any bird introduction must be ensured. Kakariki feed on fruits, seeds, leaves and buds. The planting programme includes the species that supply them.
Stan Butcher
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MATIU MATTERS – May 2002
Matiu / Somes Island is to have a collection of rare and endangered plants established there. Some will be set out as an education resource and will also provide stock for propagation. Some will be placed in appropriate niches on the island. Species suggested so far include Discaria toumatou, Muehlenbeckia astonii, Streblus banksii, Acaena pallida, Euphorbia glauca, Rubus squarrosus, Clematis afoliata, Tetragonia tetragonioides and Leptinella nana.
Others found on the island but scarce and worthy of display include Melicytus aff. obovatus, Senecio sterqulinus, Arthropodium candidum and Peperomia urvilliana. Craspedia uniflora var. maritima, listed in 1916 is another.
Forest restoration planting will continue for the twenty-second season from May. It will be largely in the last open paddock, a valley leading down to the lighthouse. DOC has excavated a pond in it around which wetland species can be planted. Source: Open Space, No. 54, May 2002.
The Lower Hutt Forest and Bird’s three nurseries on the island will have 8,000 plants to go in. Members of Wellington BotSoc are warmly invited to assist.
Stan Butcher
Matiu / Somes Island Tree Plantings. Sundays: 26 May, 23 June, 31 July, 18 August, 15 September. Free transport from Queens Wharf at 8.30a.m., or Days Bay at 9.15a.m. Bring lunch. Contact Alex Kettles 569 6208, or Stan Butcher 567 7271.
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MATIU MATTERS – December 2001
Forest restoration continues on Matiu / Somes Island. Lower Hutt Branch, Forest & Bird, are preparing for the 2002 planting season. We expect that half the last unplanted paddock south of the quarantine buildings will be available. It is the only deep valley on the island which will provide a niche for pukatea and kahikatea at the lowest levels. Additional water can be provided by diverting stormwater from the quarantine station into the area. A shallow pond is proposed. The higher slopes will suit northern rata and kohekohe. Pioneer species such as taupata, kanuka, karamu and koromiko will be planted first to provide shelter.
On the island’s eastern face “successionals” will be planted, sheltered by the trees put in five or six years ago which are now well grown. Thinning and pruning is being done to open light-wells for rewarewa, titoki, pigeonwood, totara, nikau and other species requiring shade.
Streblus banksii sourced from Mana Island is growing well, some now over 2 m high. It has proved remarkably resilient, with plants that looked dead after last year’s drought coming back into leaf. There is some concern that Senecio sterquilinus, Matiu / Somes’s flagship species, is less abundant. It will be brought into the island’s propagation programme.
Stan Butcher
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MATIU MATTERS – October 2001
The 21st year's planting by Lower Hutt Forest and Bird put in a total of 5499 locally sourced native trees, 2000 fewer than last year. Dry soil conditions in May delayed the first planting to June. An irrigation system moved from the Lighthouse Paddock into the Workshop Paddock gives confidence that this season there will not be the losses suffered in 2000. Planting by groups of 40 or more people were done in July, August and September. Last year's losses in the Workshop Paddock were replaced, flax areas augmented on the eastern face, and the lower Lighthouse Paddock replanted. Hardy “pioneer” species were planted in these areas while “successionals” were planted among the well-grown ngaios, Hebe stricta, and taupatas in Dick’s Paddock on the western face. We are pleased that the reafforestation programme has now encircled the whole island. In 1-2 years there will be no remaining open, grassed sites to plant. The task will then be the interplanting of successionals, a much slower task. The Department of Conservation engaged contract planters to work on the steeper faces. Their plantings have been mainly flax and taupata. Aciphylla squarrosa and Lepidium oleraceum have been planted on Mokopuna.
Stan Butcher
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MATIU MATTERS – April 2001
Recent newspapers have reported the 70% loss of last year’s 12,000 plants because of months of little or no rain. The regret of Lower Hutt Forest & Bird is real when the considerable cost of ferry fares and the untold hours lost in producing the 7,800 plants which the 3 nurseries supplied, are counted. Better news is that plants in the area with an irrigation system installed 2 years ago show remarkable growth. The system is to be moved to the devastated area planted last year. Undaunted, 20 or so stalwarts are continuing their fortnightly trips to the island to provide this season’s trees. Five planting days are planned to which BotSoccers would be warmly welcomed. See the Events section for dates and details.
Matiu / Somes Island will become a refuge for some of the threatened plants of the Wellington region. Listed in the island’s Conservation Management Plan are: Discaria toumatou (matagouri), present there in 1916, Acaena pallida, Clematis afoliata, Euphorbia glauca, Lepidium oleraceum. L. tenuicaule, Leptinella nana, Muehlenbeckia astonii, Rubus squarrosus, Rumex neglectus, Streblus banksii, (already planted), Suaeda novae-zealandiae and Tetragonia tetragonioides. Suitable niches must be found for these species with, hopefully, a collection for teaching purposes, around the Forest and Bird and Education Houses.
Stan Butcher, Chair, Lower Hutt Branch, Forest and Bird.
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