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| SIT year two student Sean McKenna and volunteer Melissa Wilson planting at Te Rere |
Planting over 500 native trees was the main aim for the day at Te Rere as a large group of enthusiastic students from Environmental Management courses at Otago University and Southern Institute of Technology joined others to complete the task. Staff from Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird members and volunteers were keen to improve the environment for the endangered yellow eyed penguins. Total group numbers of over 50 made short work of the task in mild, calm conditions with some sun encouraging everyone.
Part-time caretaker Fergus Sutherland talked about the history of the reserve and how the adjacent farmer supported the establishment of a reserve once they realised the vulnerable state of this penguin species. Southland Forest and Bird began planting the grass covered paddocks, adjacent to the sea coast, with natives so the penguins had access to nesting sites as they are very private birds and don't appreciate neighbours. This re-vegetation has continued with annual plantings for about 27 years with a disastrous fire in 1995 which destroyed much of the well-established cover and even burning birds which were nesting at the time. However the vegetation recovered remarkably well and about 50 penguin pairs are continuing to use this 70 hectare reserve, out of about 500 breeding pairs on the south eastern coast of the South Island.
"This is an ambitious revegetation project for not only protecting the yellow eyed penguin but it also provides habitat for other native species such as fernbirds, falcons, tui, bellbirds and fantails," Sutherland said. "Now a larger area of native plantings provide a safe place for animals, the little blue penguin, sea lions and seals have taken up residence along with about 12 titi or muttonbirds using the reserve site for landing and even nesting, meaning hopefully later they will breed here which is exciting."
Forest and Bird's Brian Rance coordinated the working bee with plants sourced from Pukerau Nursery, with delivery by owner Arne Cleland. They shared their expertise about how to dig, plant and protect the young trees with a felt blanket to keep down the competing weeds along with plastic sleeves supported by bamboo which ensures hares and deer have less chance to browse.
With the work completed in the early afternoon and lunch devoured, the remaining afternoon time was spent looking around the reserve and helping check traps for stoats, rats and possums which continue to impact the penguins and in particular the juveniles. There was agreement that it had been a very satisfying day, making a difference for an endangered bird.
