BOTSOC FIELD TRIPS 2009

The following programme is SUBJECT TO CHANGE.   If you wish to go on a field trip, PLEASE help with planning by giving the leader 2 days’ notice before a day trip, MORE notice before weekend trips, and SEVERAL WEEKS’ notice before the New Year’s trip.

Remember the weather can be changeable on field trips.   Sun hat, balaclava, waterproof/windproof parka, may all be used on a day trip.   Recommended trip gear at bottom of page.

Field Trips

Day trips to locations in the Wellington region are usually held on the first Saturday of each month.   Extended excursions are usually held at New Year, first weekend in February and Easter.

2009 Programme

Friday 16 January - Monday 26 January 2009:   Summer Camp – Westport - Karamea

The summer trip of January 2009 will be based in Westport and Karamea.   We will arrive on 16th in Westport, move to Karamea on the 21st and leave Karamea on the 26th of January.
A range of botanical trips are being planned for both Buller and Karamea and may include:
•   Charleston and Pakihi terraces near Westport
•   Denniston
•   Millerton ecological park
•   Charming creek and Glasgow range
•   The Fenian / Oparara walkway, Karamea
•   Heaphy track to Scotts Beach and beyond.

Registration for the Summer Camp have closed. Please contact Mick Parsons 972 1142, mtparsons (at) paradise.net.nz, to ask if there are any vacancies.

Saturday 7 February:   Field trip – Waikanae wetlands

Botanise wetlands and possibly a QEII National Trust property – bring gumboots.
MEET:   9 a.m., Harcourt’s Real Estate carpark, cnr Te Moana Rd and SH1, Waikanae.
LEADER:   Lisa Clapcott, phone 06 364 2207 (w), Wellington contact: Sunita Singh, phone 387 9955.

Saturday 21 February:   Field trip – Druce garden work bee

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. 123 Pinehaven Road, Pinehaven.   Bring food; hot drinks provided.   Bring gloves, kneeler, weeder and secateurs.
LEADER:   Helen Druce, phone 970 7853.

Friday 7 March – Sunday 8 March:   Field trip – Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve – Barney’s Whare, Palliser Bay coast

Botanise this landscape over a series of ancient earthquake-raised beaches and large rocks / monoliths.   See Korthalsella clavata, K. lindsayi, Coprosma virescens, possibly Sonchus kirkii, and the Muehlenbeckia astonii enclosure.
ACCOMMODATION:   Barney’s Whare (sleeps 6–8 people) and camping; costs unknown as yet but to be shared.   Car pooling for drive to Orongorongo Station essential to minimise storage of vehicles on Station.   Two packs per person needed: your daypack and an overnight pack to be delivered by vehicle to Barney’s Whare.
MEET:   9.00 a.m., Orongorongo Station, end of Wainuiomata Coast Rd.
MAP:   R27 Wellington.
LEADERS:   Chris Hopkins, phone 564 3980;   Deputy Leader:   Mick Parsons, phone 972 1148.

Friday 10 April – Sunday 12 April:   Easter field trip – Pongaroa area, Northern Wairarapa

Botanise reserves, QEII Open Space Covenants, and a domain, near Pongaroa and Alfredton, and possibly Akitio.   More details to follow.   Pat Enright and Tony Silbery have provided us with plant lists for several interesting native forest communities.
MAP:   NZMS 260 maps: U25, U26 Pongaroa & Castlepoint; T25 Eketahuna.   Possibly T24 Palmerston North; U24 Weber.
MEET:   9.15 a.m. Friday, Dorset Square Native Reserve, Moore St cnr SH2, Featherston.   Allow 1.25 hours from Wellington.   Then take SH2 to Masterton; Castlepoint road / “Route 52” to Te Oreore, Dreyers Rock, Alfredton, Tiraumea and Pongaroa.
ACCOMMODATION:   subject to forecast, and people’s wishes we can camp at i) Pongaroa Domain $5 pp/night, ii) camp 400m from Glenross Backpackers, 9.5km south of Pongaroa $15pp/night; rooms at Glenross $25pp/night; or iii) camp at Pongoroa and move to Glenross if the weather is poor.   Let us know your preference.
FOOD:   dinners Friday & Saturday - potluck;   breakfasts & lunches - self-catering.
LEADERS:   Sunita Singh 387 9955, 027 4052 987 and Chris Horne 475 7025, 027 474 9300.   WATCH THE WEB SITE FOR UPDATES and changes.

Saturday 25 April:   Field trip – Te Marua Bush workbee

NOTE EXTRA FIELD TRIP
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 so that we keep ahead of re-invasion by weeds, particularly around the plantings, so please come to help with this important work.   Bring: Lunch and a drink, gloves, kneeler, weed bag, and your favourite weeding tools e.g. trowel, hand fork, loppers, pruning saw, pinch bar.
MEET:   9.30 a.m. at Te Marua Bush (250 m north of Te Marua Store and 50 m off SH2, along the road to Te Marua Lakes, Kaitoke Regional Park), or 9 a.m. at Upper Hutt Station carpark.
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 from Upper Hutt station.
MAP:   R26 Paraparaumu, and Upper Hutt street map.
CO-LEADERS:   Glennis Sheppard, phone 526 7450;   Sue Millar, phone 526 7440.

Saturday 2 May:   Field trip – Korokoro-Maungaraki Bush

Explore some of the tracks in this regenerating forest on the Western Hutt hills above Percy Scenic Reserve. The bush would be a worthy addition to Hutt City’s reserves.   Botanise up to Sugarloaf, down through tall kohekohe forest to George Gee Dr, then in Galbraiths Gully.
MEET:   9.00 a.m., at pipeline in Akatea Rd, at start of track to Sugarloaf.
TRANSPORT:   8.05 a.m. train on Hutt line from Wellington to Petone Station.   Walk up Korokoro Rd to hairpin bend, up Galbraiths Gully path to Singers Rd, go up it to Maungaraki Rd, then turn right into Akatea Rd – 25 minutes’ pleasant walk.
MAP:   Map R27 Wellington, and street map. Korokoro Walks brochure available.
LEADERS:   Bev Abbott, phone 475 8468;   Deputy Leader:   Jill Goodwin, phone 475 7248.

Saturday 6 June:   Field trip – Owhiro catchment and Tawatawa Reserve

Find some botanical gems on your doorstep.   Botanise two or three areas (streamside, wetland and valley slopes) in the lower Owhiro Stream catchment and the new Tawatawa Reserve, two adjacent areas in Wellington’s southern suburbs.   Likely to include an area in which no botanical survey has ever been undertaken.
MEET:   9.30 a.m. cnr Happy Valley Rd/ Murchison St, Upper Owhiro Bay.
TRANSPORT:   Catch no. no. 7 bus to Brooklyn shops then 20-30 min walk down Ohiro Rd and Happy Valley Rd, OR no.1 bus to cnr Humber St / The Parade, Island Bay, then 30 min walk via Humber / Derwent / Moselle / Severn / Robertson streets and up Happy Valley Rd.
MAP:   R27 Wellington, and street map.
LEADER:   Paul Blaschke 398 9545 or 027 246 2848.   contact deputy-leader Chris Horne 475 7025 if you need a lift.   This trip will also suit people who are free for only half a day.   Contact Paul to arrange afternoon meeting place.

Saturday 4 July:   Field trip – Otari-Wilton’s Bush

Walk through the Otari collections area guided by Rewi Elliot, Curator/Manager Otari-Wilton’s Bush.   The draft landscape plan is due for release for public consultation soon.   This field trip will generate ideas for our submission on the draft plan.   The day will start with a briefing by Rewi about what staff are trying to achieve.   We will finish in the visitor centre by recording people’s ideas on a whiteboard.
MEET:   9 a.m. at Te Marae o Tane Information Centre, Otari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Rd, Wilton.
TRANSPORT:   Catch no. 14 Wilton bus Kilbirnie / 8 a.m., Courtenay Place / 8.15, Molesworth St / 8.19; alight at stop in Warwick St.
CO-LEADERS:   Rewi Elliot (walk) 475 3245 (w), Bev Abbott (recording session) 475 8468.

Saturday 3 August:   Field trip – Orongorongo Track and valley

This is a good trip for anyone who has been thinking about a BotSoc trip, but not yet joined us.   Learn some of the common Wellington-region native species along the well-formed, mainly level track.   Friendly experts will be on hand to answer botanical questions, and help with identification of plants.   Don't be embarrassed if you don't know ponga from pukatea!   This is the chance to find out.   At the river, assess the vegetation response after the massive March 2005 flood that scoured out the braided riverbed.
MEET:   9.30 a.m. in Rimutaka Forest Park carpark.   Drive 12 km from Wainuiomata to park entrance, turn left, then 2km to carpark (far end near toilet block).   Allow c. 1 hr from Wellington.
CO-LEADERS:   Jill & Ian Goodwin; 475 7248 (h), mob 021 211 7720.

Saturday 5 September:   Field trip – Otari-Wilton’s Bush: Cockayne’s impact on the natural areas

A little history and quite a bit of botanising.   We will start with a short talk on what Cockayne and Andy McKay did in Otari between 1926 and 1933, then botanise the bush areas, identifying the paths by the names they used, discovering the remnants of their plantings, and considering what regeneration has occurred.   We will have the plant list from the BioBlitz as a starter to see if we can add any native vascular species.   If you have a GPS, please bring it, preferably set to NZMG.
MEET:   9.30 a.m. at Te Marae o Tane Information Centre, Otari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Rd.
LEADER:   Rodney Lewington 970 3142, deputy-leader Chris Horne 475 7025.

Saturday 3 October:   Field trip – Wainuiomata catchment

Botanise podocarp / broadleaf and beech forests, with over 50 species of ferns, along the historic ‘Pack Track’ from George Creek to c. m on the ridge above the Orongorongo River.
MAP:   R27 Wellington. Booking essential so that we can advise Greater Wellington staff.
MEET:   9 a.m. sharp at locked gate beyond end of Whitcher Grove off Moores Valley Rd.   Allow 45 minutes from Wellington.   Ring leaders if you need a lift.
CO-LEADERS:   Chris Horne 475 7025, 027 474 9300, Barbara Mitcalfe 475 7149.

Saturday 10 October:   Field trip – Te Marua Bush workbee

NOTE EXTRA FIELD TRIP.   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 so that we keep ahead of re-invasion by weeds, particularly around the plantings, so please come to help with this important work.   Bring weeding gear: gloves, kneeler, weed bag, and your favourite weeding tools; e.g. trowel, hand fork, loppers, pruning saw, pinch bar.
MEET:   9.30 a.m. at Te Marua Bush (250 m north of Te Marua Store and then left, off SH2 for 50 m, along the road to Te Marua Lakes, Kaitoke Regional Park).   If coming by train? - ring the leader to arrange to be met at Upper Hutt Station.   Catch 8.05 a.m. train on Hutt line from Wellington Station.
CO-LEADERS:   Glennis Sheppard 526 7450, Sue Millar 526 7440.

Saturday 7 November:   Field trip – Matiu / Somes Island

Botanise on-track, and off-track, with special permission from the Department of Conservation, to see if we can add to the island’s native plant and weed plant lists.   See the results of Lower Hutt Forest and Bird’s revegetation efforts since 1981.   A volunteer agreement form, to be completed by everyone, can be e-mailed / posted: contact Sunita Singh.   Our packs will be checked for rodents.   Make sure that your footwear is washed free of dirt, and that you don’t carry any plant material.
TRANSPORT:   Catch East by West ferry Queens Wharf 10 a.m., or Days Bay 10.30 a.m.   Return 3.10 p.m., or 4.25 p.m., to Queens Wharf, plus 3.45 p.m. or 5 p.m. to Days Bay.   Let the leader know if you are coming, to help us make a block booking to safeguard our seats.   Fares for members going from / to Days Bay will be a return trip fare, even though an extra journey will made.   To check status of sailings ph 494 3339.
LEADERS:   Leader-in-the-field: Brent Tandy;   deputy leader: Sunita Singh, phone 387 9955, 027 405 2987.

Saturday 21 November:   Field trip – Dench garden weeding

MEET:   from 9.30 a.m. at 37 Lyndfield Lane, Newlands.   Bring weeding tools, kneeler, gloves and food; hot drinks provided.
CO-LEADERS:   Arnold Dench, phone 477 4490, and Eleanor Burton.

Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 December:   Field trip – Western Wairarapa

Botanising possibilities include Kiriwhakapapa - Mikimiki Track;   track to Blue Range Hut;   forest beside Ruamahanga River;   W A Miller Memorial Scenic Reserve.   Your ideas welcome!
MAPS:   Tararua Parkmap 274-02; NZTopo50 BN33 Levin, BN34 Shannon (NZMS 260 T25 Eketahuna, S25 Levin).
ACCOMODATION: nbsp; house no. 2261, west side of SH2, 1 km past Ruamahanga Bridge.   $5 / person.   Nine beds, tent sites, kitchen, lounge, etc.
MEALS:   pot-luck dinner, your choice for breakfast and lunches.
MEET:   9 a.m., Dorset Square Native Reserve, cnr SH2 & Moore St, Featherston.
LEADERS:   Saturday: Tony Silbery.   Wellington contact: Sunita Singh 387 9955, 027 405 2987.

Saturday 12 December:   Field trip – 7th Hutt City flowering rata walk

Celebrate indigenous northern rata sites in suburban Lower Hutt, including Alicetown, Jubilee Park, Melling.   See other native species including southern rata.  A 3-4 km walk, or shorter if you wish.
MEET:   9.15 a.m. Hutt City i-SITE Visitor Centre, The Pavilion, 25 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt.   Car parking is nearby.
TRANSPORT:   Catch: no. 91 Airport Flyer Courtenay Place 8.31 a.m., Molesworth St 8.43, to Queensgate; or no.83 Courtenay Place bus Eastbourne 8.45 a.m. to Queensgate; or no. 91 Airport Flyer Upper Hutt 8.30 a.m. to Queensgate.   Short walk via Bunny Street to i-SITE.
LEADER:   Dave Holey 566 3124, deputy leader: Margaret Aitken 566 2731.

Monday 25 January - 3 February 2010:   Summer Camp – Coromandel Peninsula

Botanising possibilities:   Table Mountain, Moehau, Te Aroha, Kopuatai, Thames estuary, Waiomu kauri, Eastern Waikawau, Long Bay, Camel, Pauanui, Webb Creek - Hydro - Billy Goat, Pinnacles, Waionora, Tarawaere, Moss Creek, etc.   Overnight options to sites at north end of Coromandel Peninsula.   We thank Graeme Jane for this list.
ACCOMMODATION:   Kauaeranga Valley Education Centre, c. 15km from Thames.
MAPS:   NZTopo50 AZ34 Moehau, BA34 Coromandel, BA35 Whitianga, BB35 Hikuai, BC35 Paeroa (NZMS 260 T12 Thames; T13 Paeroa; T11 Whitianga; T10 / U10 Coromandel); DOC Parkmap 336/11 Coromandel; DOC brochures: Coromandel recreation information; Kauaeranga Kauri Trail.
CONTACT:   Mick Parsons 972 1142, mtparsons (at) paradise.net.nz
Further details are available here.
A booking form is available to download from here.

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.