Monday 22 January 2007: Field trip – Waimapihi Reserve, Wellington city
NOTE: MONDAY
Botanise this 70-ha reserve in the heart of the city, the site of a community restoration project for the last 25 years. Mahoe has succeeded the gorse over most of the reserve, which has been underplanted with future canopy species
such as tawa, titkoi and rewarewa. This is an interesting place to see just what does happen when the soil seed bank
has been depleted after years of dairy farming, and there are few nearby seed sources. Medium-strenuous with one
steep climb up.
MEET: 9 a.m. at Waimapihi Reserve entrance at the top of Holloway Road, off Aro Street. Catch a no.
23 Mairangi bus to Kelburn and walk down Norway Street, or a no. 7 Kingston bus to Willis Street and walk up Aro
Street. There is limited parking at the top of the street.
LEADER: Frances Forsyth 384 8891.
Saturday-Sunday 3–4 February: Weekend Field trip – Dunvegan and Bankview stations, Wairarapa
Day 1: Dunvegan Station north of Masterton. Map T25. River flats and scarp with three mistletoe species, northern rata and some very large podocarps and maire. Help relocate the plants of Melicytus alpinus that are in the area. There are several sections of bush with two that are protected from grazing.
MEET: 9 a.m. Saturday at Dorset Square Native Reserve, cnr SH2 and Moore St, Featherston.
Day 2: Bankview Station. Maps T26, T27. See Coprosma pedicellata, Pittosporum divaricatum, Mazus nz. etc.
MEET: 9 a.m. Sunday at Te Wharau Road turn off, 3 km north-east of Gladstone.
ACCOMMODATION: Waitiro, on left of SH2, just past bridge over Ruamahanga River. Beds and tent sites available. $10 per night per person. Potluck dinner. Bring own drinking water, suggest 4 litres.
LEADER: Pat Enright 04 495 0786 (w), 06 308 8278 (h).
Sunday 25 February: Weekend Field trip – Wainuiomata Water Catchment
NOTE: SUNDAY
Botanise this northern rata / podocarp forest, the most spectacular in the southern North Island. Booking essential – ring Chris Horne 475 7025 by Wednesday 21 Feb.
MEET: 9 a.m. at main gate beyond end of Whitcher Grove off Moores Valley Rd.
LEADER: Ranger, Greater Wellington Regional Council and volunteer guides.
Saturday 10 March: Field trip – Crafar wetland covenant, Te Hapua Wetland, Kapiti
NOTE: SECOND SATURDAY OF MONTH
Morning: Botanise the Crafar wetland covenant, part of the Te Hapua complex which was originally a 500-600 ha farm until it was subdivided in 2002. The Crafar covenant is approx 6.5 ha. 10% is open water, depending on the time of the year and how much recent rain there has been. 45% is flaxland, 25% is reedland and the remaining 20% is mingimingi / kanuka treeland. Baumea articulata, Carex dipsacea, C. maorica are found in the area.
Afternoon: visit Kapiti Coast District Council Oxbow and Devils Elbow covenants on the Waikanae River just 1.5 km from SH1. See terrestrial northern rata, matai, swamp maire in these adjacent riparian covenants.
MEET: 9.30 a.m. on roadside outside 204 Te Hapua Road, off SH2 5 km north of Waikanae.
LEADERS: Tim Park ph 384-5708 (weekdays) and Paul and Linda Crafar.
Saturday 17 March: Field trip – Native plant identification
NOTE: POSTPONEMENT DATE 18 MARCH.
Share your knowledge of native plants and communities with other members of the public on this trip which is BotSoc’s contribution to Wellington City Council’s FEELING GREAT STEPPING OUT! walk promotion this month. Visit Otari - Wilton’s Bush to learn about our native trees, shrubs, vines, ferns and other plants. See regenerating and pre-European forest! Help the leader to guide and advise members of the public who join this walk.
LEADER: Mick Parsons 473 1142.
MEET: 10 a.m. Izard Park, Wilton Rd, at bottom of Norwich St. Catch no. 23 Mairangi bus 9.20 from
Courtenay Place to terminus.
Saturday 31 March: Field trip – Druce garden workbee
Help with maintenance of this nationally important garden containing many threatened indigenous plant species established by Tony and Helen Druce over forty years ago. It is a QEII National Trust Open Space Covenant.
MEET: from 9.30 a.m. Bring food; hot drinks provided. Bring gloves, kneeler and weeder.
LEADER: Helen Druce, 123 Pinehaven Road, Pinehaven. Ph: 970 7853.
Friday 6 April – Monday 9 April: Easter Field trip – Tautane Station, Cape Turnagain
Explore and enjoy covenants which include massive northern rata with podocarp, karaka and broadleaf forest and a
coastal karaka forest at Poroporo a few kilometres north of the Cape. Cape Turnagain beach walk is also close by. We will assist the QE II National Trust to complete plant lists for some of these covenants.
ACCOMMODATION: Tautane Station has bunkrooms with full facilities. Station provides access to areas of bush that are being or have been covenanted on the station and around Cape Turnagain. Cost: $10/person/night plus share of group food. (There is more upmarket accommodation should you wish.) We have booked space already and would appreciate expression of interest by mid-January to be certain we have a bunk each. Firm reservations by 15 March 2007.
LEADER: Leader Marie Taylor (QEII Regional Rep). Wellington contact: Bev Abbott 475 8468, or bevabbott (at) xtra.co.nz.
Saturday 5 May: Field trip – 1. Johnny’s bush, Makara Farm. 2. Jack & Jill Fenaughty’s bush, Makara Beach
1. Johnny’s bush: This is 10-ha area of coastal forest recently protected by a DOC covenant. It has closed canopy kohekohe forest with scattered podocarps.
2. Jack & Jill Fenaughty’s bush: This is 5 ha of covenanted coastal remnant which has been fenced for 12 years. See ngaio, rewarewa, five-finger and kahikatea in gullies, with young matai.
MEET: 9 a.m. at low, white-sided bridge c. 2 km along Makara Rd from Makara village. Map R27 G.R. 536935. Limited parking – car-pooling desirable.
LEADER: Robyn Smith 236 6086; deputy leader: Jack Fenaughty.
Saturday 2 June: Field trip – Redwood Bush KNE, Tawa
Botanise this 10-ha reserve bordering suburban Tawa. One of the few remaining stands of mature tawa / kohekohe lowland forest close to suburban areas within Wellington City, along with regenerating and revegetated margins. Easy walking via tracks constructed by Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves and Wellington City Council. Map R27 and street map.
MEET: 9 a.m. at Achilles Close (off Oriel Avenue) entrance to Redwood Bush. Catch Paraparaumu line train to Redwood Station, departs 8.30 a.m. from Wellington or 08:05 a.m. from Paraparaumu. Phone leader for pick-up, or walk 20 minutes to site.
LEADER: Richard Herbert. Ph: 232 6828 / 027-445 5942.
Sunday 1 July: Field trip – Matiu / Somes Island
NOTE NOT SATURDAY
Join Forest & Bird planting workbee as a volunteer in the morning and botanise island after lunch. Map R27.
MEET: Catch East by West ferry - departs Wellington 10 a.m., Petone 10 a.m., Days Bay 10.30 a.m.; departs Somes Island to Petone 2.15 p.m., to Queens Wharf 3.10 / 4.25 p.m., to Days Bay 2.50 p.m. On arrival at Somes be prepared for baggage check for mice etc.
PLEASE NOTE: Ferry fares will be FREE for volunteers in this workbee.
LEADER: Please advise Wellington contact Chris Horne, phone 475 7025, by Friday 29 June. Sailings may be cancelled at short notice owing to weather. To check the day’s sailing status, phone 494 3339 then press 4; website www.eastbywest.co.nz.
Saturday 14 July: Field trip – Te Marua workbee
In partnership with Greater Wellington, BotSoc has been committed since 1989 to do weed control and revegetation in this important matai / totara / maire remnant in Kaitoke Regional Park. Our biennial workbees must continue with planting and weeding, particularly around the plantings, so please come to help with this important work. Bring: gloves, kneeler, weed bag, and your favourite planting and weeding tools e.g. trowel, hand fork, loppers, pruning saw, pinch bar. Maps: R26 Paraparaumu and Upper Hutt street map.
MEET: Upper Hutt Station carpark at 9 a.m., or Te Marua Bush at 9.30 a.m. (250 m north of Te Marua Store and 50 m off SH2 along the road to Te Marua Lakes, Kaitoke Regional Park). Catch 8.05 a.m. train on Hutt line from Wellington Station.
CO-LEADERS: Glennis Sheppard 526 7450, Sue Millar 526 7440.
Saturday 4 August: Field trip – Belmont Regional Park and Korokoro Dam
Botanise regenerating and mature native forest and shrublands in Korokoro valley. Map R27 and street map.
MEET: In Cornish St, off SH2 just north of Petone overbridge at 9.00 am. We will sort out transport there with a view to starting the walk from Oakleigh St, Maungaraki and finishing in Cornish Street. There will be an option of a short or longer walk.
CO-LEADERS: Rodney Lewington 970 3142, rodneyjl (at) clear.net.nz and Sheelagh Leary 527 7380.
Saturday 1 September: Field trip – Mount Victoria, Town Belt
Self-guided ‘treasure’ trail around the Mount Victoria section of the Town Belt. Learn more about some of the resident plants (both remnants and introductions), and help us update a species list for the area. Test your local plant knowledge, as well as your navigation skills.
MEET: 9 a.m at Mt Victoria summit car park park.
LEADERS: Lara Shepherd wk 463 5026, Leon Perrie wk 381 7261, hm 386 2618.
Saturday 6 October: Field trip – Pakuratahi forest: Climie Ridge - Goat Rock - Tane’s Track
Botanise mature and regenerating forest, on and off tracks. Boots essential. Full day trip.
MAP: S27 Lake Wairarapa.
MEET: 9 a.m. at Tunnel Gully Recreation Area, Plateau Rd, Te Marua, Upper Hutt. NOTE: Change of meeting place and route!
CO-LEADERS: Chris Horne, phone 475 7025; Barbara Mitcalfe, phone 475 7149.
Saturday 20 October: Field trip – Dench garden weeding
Bring suitable weeding tool, kneeler, gloves and food; hot drinks provided.
MEET: 37 Lyndfield Lane, Newlands.
CO-LEADERS: Arnold and Ruth Dench, phone 477 4490.
Saturday 3 November: Field trip – Whareroa Farm, Paekakariki
See wetlands being restored, and Campbell Track with Carex secta, then botanise regenerating forest and three
remnants of mature lowland forest. The farm was purchased by DOC in 2005. Boots recommended!
MEET: 9 a.m. at gate to Whareroa Farm, opposite entrance to Queen Elizabeth Park - leave SH1 at that exit.
MAP: NZMS 260 R26 Paraparaumu.
TRANSPORT: Catch 8.00 a.m. train from Wellington and alight at Paekakariki Station - advise Karen if you wish to
be met.
CO-LEADERS: Karen Palmer, phone 499 1381; Ann Evans, Whareroa Guardians Community Trust Inc.
Saturday 17 November: Field trip – Te Marua Bush workbee
NOTE EXTRA FIELD TRIP
In partnership with GWRC, BotSoc has undertaken since 1989 weed control and revegetation in this important matai / totara / maire remnant in Kaitoke Regional Park. Our biennial workbees must continue so that we keep ahead of re-invasion by weeds, particularly around the plantings, so please come to help with this important work. Bring:
gloves, kneeler, weed bag, and your favourite weeding tools e.g. trowel, hand fork, loppers, pruning saw, pinch bar.
MEET: 9 a.m. Upper Hutt Station carpark, or Te Marua Bush at 9.30 a.m. (250 m north of Te Marua Store and 50 m off SH2 along the road to Te Marua Lakes, Kaitoke Regional Park).
TRANSPORT: Catch 8.05 a.m. train on Hutt line from Wellington Station. If you plan to use the train to Upper Hutt please ring the leader to arrange pickup.
MAPS: R26 Paraparaumu and Upper Hutt street map.
CO-LEADERS: Glennis Sheppard, phone 526 7450; Sue Millar, phone 526 7440.
Saturday 1 December: Field trip – Pukerua Bay - Plimmerton
Botanise PCC’s Raroa Reserve, DOC’s Wairaka Scientific Reserve, part of the Carrad’s QEII Covenant, and the coastal escarpment. See coastal broadleaf forest, scrub, grasslands, mat plants, and the weed fern, Polypodium vulgare.
MEET: 9.15 a.m. at reserve entrance at south end of Raroa Place, Pukerua Bay.
MAP: R26 Paraparaumu and street map.
TRANSPORT: Catch 8.30 a.m. train from Wellington to Pukerua Bay. If coming by car, return to it by train from
Plimmerton.
LEADER: Robyn Smith, phone 236 6086.
Saturday 8 December: Field trip – Hutt City rata walk
See up to forty northern rata and some southern rata in flower as you walk through Lower Hutt city and suburbs. See them all on an 11km / 4hour walk or see fewer of them on a shorter walk. Bring lunch and drink. Map supplied.
MEET: 9 a.m. Hutt City i-SITE Visitor Centre, The Pavilion, 25 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt.
TRANSPORT: Take Stagecoach Flyer no. 91 bus 8.05 a.m. from Courtenay Place or 8.25 a.m. from Upper Hutt. Alight in Bunny St. L.Hutt.
LEADERS: Dave Holey, phone 566 3124; deputy leader: Gordon Leary, phone 527 7380.
|
Wednesday 30 January – Friday 8 February 2008 - nine nights: Field trip – Aotea / Great Barrier Island - Summer Camp
Registrations are open now. If you intend to come, we would appreciate knowing as soon as possible. Accommodation cannot be guaranteed for bookings made after 30 September. A registration form is in the September newsletter or can be found here.
The ferry to Great Barrier Island does not sail everyday. Flights leave several times per day. Please take this into consideration if you are not staying the full time.
Accommodation
We are booking this as a group; see the registration form for options. Bring your own sleeping bag, pillow slip and sheets. If you wish to hire bed linen you must order it in advance from the camp. Orama Christian Camp, Karaka Bay, Road Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island, Phone 09 429 0063, www.orama.org.nz
This is what Orama had to say about themselves:
Orama is situated just north of Port Fitzroy in the midst of Great Barrier Island Conservation Reserve - ideal for activities or relaxation. Tramp, swim, play table tennis, fish, sunbathe, surf, snorkel, or just relax in our beautiful grounds which lead down to the sea.
Our accommodation is not luxurious but very comfortable, clean and wholesome. This means we can offer very reasonable pricing. Orama is a non-profit trust and placed handy to the best tramping areas. It is the largest accommodation facility on Great Barrier with backpackers, cabins, a lodge and self-contained houses and units.
You’ll just love the relaxed lifestyle here on Karaka Bay where we have been for more than forty years.
Transport to and from the Camp
It is your responsibility to arrange and pay for transport to and from the campsite at Port Fitzroy. You can travel there by ferry or plane. Get in early for the best prices. Discounts for groups.
Ferry
Sealink Freephone 0800 732 546 www.sealink.co.nz Fare $110 return.
This is a 4.5 hour trip from Auckland to Tryphena, the main ferry wharf on Great Barrier Island. You can wait for the boat to unload, and then continue on to Port Fitzroy but it is far quicker to take a shuttle. The ferry leaves Auckland from 45 Jellicoe Street at 6 a.m. Ferries are once a day but not every day. The return ferry on Friday 8 February departs from Tryphena at 7 p.m.
Plane
Great Barrier Airlines, Freephone 0800 900 600, www.greatbarrierairlines.co.nz.
Fares $76-$96 one way. Fourteen people per plane. Okiwi airport is the closest to Port Fitzroy.
Flights depart from the domestic terminal at Auckland Airport four times a day
Transport to Orama Christian camp
Shuttle buses from the airport must be pre-booked. If a large group is planning to travel together by ferry, it would be a good idea to pre-book that shuttle too. Freephone 0800 426 832 or www.greatbarriertravel.co.nz
Trips out and about on the island will require extra transport, such as shuttle vans. We do not know the costs for this.
Other useful information
There are no banks or ATM machines on the island. EFTPOS facilities are available at most shops.
Food will be supplied for shared breakfasts and packed lunches. We will share the preparation of breakfasts and lunches, as on previous trips. Evening meals will be catered by Orama @ $12 per person.
Possible botanical trips
• Mt Hobson (Hirakimata), the most diverse and spectacular walk in the Auckland botanical region.
• Te Ahumata Plateau (Whitecliffs), stunted vegetation, mineral soils, hot pools and lush vegetation.
• Kaitoke Wetland, the largest and most pristine in Auckland.
• Whangapoua Estuary, the best unmodified estuary in northern New Zealand. QEII covenants etc.
More information to come.
Maps NZMS 260 series, S08 & T08, S09 and T09. Three maps in total. Or look for the now out-of-print Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island NZMS259, 1974.
Other references
Armitage, D. 2004: Great Barrier Island. Revised edition, 192 p, p/b. $39 95. Available at bookshops.
Higham, T. 2006: Great Barrier / Aotea Island. Forest & Bird 322: 38-40.
Higham, T. 2007: Catching the new wave. Forest & Bird 323: 32-34.
|
Saturday 23 February: Field trip – Druce garden workbee
Help with maintenance of this nationally important garden containing many threatened indigenous plant species established by Tony and Helen Druce over forty years ago. It is a QEII National Trust Open Space Covenant. Bring food; hot drinks provided. Bring gloves, kneeler, weeder and secateurs.
MEET: from 9.30 a.m. 123 Pinehaven Rd, Pinehaven.
LEADER: Helen Druce, phone 970 7853.
Saturday 1 March: Field trip – Gracefield Scrub, Wainuiomata
Visit a remnant of swamp that once covered large areas of Wainuiomata. See Ranunculus macropus, Baumea
rubiginosa, Gahnia xanthocarpa and a variety of Carexes. We will also botanise regenerating bush in the hills above the swamp. Bring gumboots for the swamp.
MEET: 9.0 a.m. at the carpark on the east side of Woburn Station.
TRANSPORT: Catch 8.35 a.m. train from Wellington Station, 8.30 a.m. train from Upper Hutt Station.
MAP: Map R27 Wellington.
LEADER: Chris Hopkins, phone 564 3980.
Friday 21 March – Monday 24 March: Easter field trip – Western Ruahine Range
Botanise Ngamoko Range, Ruahine Forest Park, and reserves in the Pohangina Valley - possibilities include tussock
grasslands, beech and cedar forest, lowland podocarp forest, and even plant communities on road cuttings.
ACCOMMODATION: Sixtus Lodge, east of Apiti, via Table Flat Rd, and Limestone Rd; $10 pp/night; bring own
pillows and bedding. Pot luck dinners - confer with Chris to ensure we get plenty of variety; bring own breakfast and lunch.
MAP: T22 Mangaweka, U22 Ongaonga, T23 Kimbolton, and Parkmap 274-05 Ruahine. Western Ruahine Forest Park
Walks - $2 at DOC Visitor Centre, 18-32 Manners St, WN. Ruahine Forest Park - walks and tramps, Kathy Ombler
1993.
CO-LEADERS: Chris Horne 475 7025, Barbara Mitcalfe 475 7149.
Saturday 5 April: Field trip – Eastern Hutt catchment
Botanise track to Phillips Stream, including wetland, then TL terraces of Eastern Hutt River - matai / northern ratahardwood forest, then TR, and track to saddle - beech / hinau / kamahi forest, with some podocarps and northern
rata. See large patches of Dawsonia superba. Other possibilities: botanise lower end of Quoin Ridge, or downstream to Western Hutt River. We will drive to end of 4WD road in Greater Wellington Regional Council vehicles.
MEET: 9 a.m. at Kaitoke Regional Park ranger station, Waterworks Rd, off SH2 at Kaitoke.
TRANSPORT: Catch 7.35 a.m. train from Wellington to Upper Hutt - ask leader to meet you.
MAP: S26 Carterton.
LEADER: Owen Spearpoint, GWRC, phone wk 562 8780, home 562 8780. Booking essential, numbers strictly limited.
|
Ideas please
We welcome your ideas about:
• places to visit on field trips
• topics and speakers for evening meetings
• information or photographs for BotSoc web site
Please send ideas to our secretary, Barbara Clark, PO Box 10 412, Wellington 6036, ph 233 8202.
ATTENDING FIELD TRIPS
If you intend to join a trip, PLEASE phone the leader at least TWO DAYS beforehand, so that he/she can tell you of any
changes and/or particular requirements. If you cannot ring in advance, you are welcome to join on the day.
Recommended Clothing for field trips
Sun hat, balaclava1 or hat1, waterproof / windproof parka, long-sleeved cotton shirt, singlet1, bushshirt1, 1 or 2 jerseys1, waterproof / windproof overtrousers, nylon shorts, longjohns1, longs1, underclothes, swimming togs, 4 pr socks1, hut shoes, boots, gaiters, mittens1, handkerchief.
Day trip gear
First aid kit, compass2, map2, insect repellent, whistle, matches in waterproof container, water purification tablets, water bottle, thermos, pocket knife, camera2, binoculars2, hand lens2, note book2, pen and pencil2, sunblock, sunglasses, large plastic survival bag to line pack.
Overnight trip gear and food
As well as the day trip gear listed above, bring torch, spare bulb and batteries, candle, mug, plate, knife, fork, spoon, small towel, soap, tooth brush, tent, fly, poles and pegs, groundsheet, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, liner and stuff bag. Bring bread, butter / margarine, biscuits, fresh fruit and scroggin.
SCROGGIN = Sultanas, Chocolate or Carob, Raisins, Orange peel, Glucose3, Ginger, Including Nuts.
1 = wool, polypropylene or polarfleece as applicable.
2 = optional
3 = dried apricots are recommended instead of glucose but would spoil the acronym!!
BotSoc equipment
In addition to the gas stoves, billies, kitchen utensils, flies etc., used on long field trips, the following are also available:
• first aid kit. NOTE: anti-histamines NOT included, because of short shelf-life
• ten NZMS 260 Sheet R27, Pt.Q27 maps
• ten Silva Type 3 compasses
If you are leading a BotSoc trip, and would like to take these items, please ring Chris Horne ph 04 475 7025, or Barbara
Mitcalfe ph 04 475 7149.
Health and safety
•You are responsible for you own first aid kit. If you have an allergy or medical condition, please carry your own
anti-histamines and medications, tell the trip leader of any problems you may have and how to deal with them.
•You are responsible for keeping with the party. If you have any doubts about your ability to do this, you must check
the trip conditions with the trip leader, who reserves the right to restrict attendance.
Fitness and experience
Our field trips vary considerably in the level of fitness and tramping experience required. Although our main focus is botanical, our programme sometimes offers trips which, in the pursuit of our botanical aims, are more strenuous than
others. Although leaders take care to minimise risks, everyone participates at their own risk. If you have any questions about whether you are fit enough for a particular trip, please contact the leader well beforehand.
Transport reimbursement of drivers
We encourage the pooling of cars for trips.
• Passengers: Please pay your share of the running costs to your driver. We suggest 10c/km/passenger.
– If a trip on the inter-island ferry is involved, please pay your share of the ferry fare.
– If you change cars mid-trip, leave a written note for your driver.
• Drivers: Please ensure that you know where you are going, and who is in your car;
– Zero the odometer at the start, and agree on a return time;
– Account for all your passengers before you come back;
– Collect contributions towards transport costs.
|
