Naturally West: Pests, weeds and helping our birdlife; Weather by the moon

Pests, weeds and boosting our native bird population

Why do pest control?

Have you heard of the “North-West Wildlink”? It is an initiative that aims to protect native birds which are moving from off-shore islands in the Hauraki Gulf to the Waitākere Ranges.

The idea is to provide safe feeding and breeding grounds for native birds and other at risk species such as the tuatara, wētā and a large range of lizards and to encourage more natives back to our reserves and backyards. To do this we need to plant more trees (to provide food and shelter) and engage in predator control.

Native birds can already take advantage of a number of ‘stepping stones’ between the Gulf and the Ranges, i.e. the areas of native bush along the North West Wildlink path. However, the distance between Tiritiri Matangi Island and Ark in the Park in the Waitākere Ranges is 50km and not all birds can fly more than 2.5km between possible habitats. This means more “green spaces” are needed for these birds.

There are many people already involved in providing a safe passage for native birds and more than 130 community and volunteer groups are involved in pest control and restoration. If you would like to become involved there are many organisations in our local area which can provide traps and advice for your property. These include: • Waima to Laingholm Pest Free – contact@w2l.nz • Restoration Ruatuna – https://www.pfwra.org.nz/find-yourpeople/restoration-ruatuna/ • South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network – https://www. southtitirangi.org.nz/contact • The Petrelheads in Cornwallis – https://www.cornwallis.org.nz/ petrelheads • Friends of Cornwallis Peninsula – pestfreecornwallis@gmail. com • Trap NZ Huia – https://www.trap.nz/project/1106292/info • Friends of Whatipu – https://www.whatipulodge.co.nz/index. php?page=Contact • Pest Free Waiatarua – https://www.facebook.com/Pest-FreeWaiatarua-878893365649818/ • Oratia Native Wildlife Project – oratinativewildlife@gmail.com • Ark in the Park – nature.project@forestandbird.org.nz

These and many other groups and networks in the west bring together around 10,000 volunteers. The Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance (PFWRA) is an informal alliance supporting all these groups and other organisations which are working to restore biodiversity in the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area. The Alliance’s website (https://www. pfwra.org.nz/) has information on the groups mentioned above, news about developments in the world of conservation, and information about upcoming opportunities to participate in plantings, working bees, workshops and hui.

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Forest & Bird Weed Control Guide

The Waitākere Ranges, including the Titirangi area, are home to an enormous variety of invasive weeds. Forest & Bird New Zealand has put together a user-friendly guide for identifying these weeds and provides information on how to control them.

The weeds listed are invasive plants that spread widely, grow vigorously and displace or smother native vegetation. The guide is designed to help homeowners, community groups, and businesses get to know the weeds listed and help eradicate them from their garden and reserves. Each entry has the name of the plant, a photo, why the plant is a problem and how to control it, either physically or through organic or herbicidal methods. The guide also explains how to use herbicide, what each chemical is and how it is best used.

To download a copy go to: https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/sites/ default/files/2021-01/Forest%20%26%20Bird%20Weed%20Guide%20 2021.pdf

Helping our birds

• Think about providing extra food for native birds during the winter when the food supply is low. • Set up a feeding station that is well away from introduced predators such as rats, stoats and possums. • Set traps to control these predators. • Put a bell or a bright ruffle on your cat if you own one. • Many native birds feed on nectar, fruit and insects but you can supplement this diet with sugar water. Visit https://www. forestandbird.org.nz/resources/feeding-native-birds-garden for instructions on how to make this. • Don’t leave honey or honey water out for birds as this also attracts bees, which can spread their diseases. • Fruit can be added to the feeding station by hammering nails through a board and securing pieces of fruit to the exposed nails. • Foods to avoid are seeds and grain (as this will attract introduced birds that compete with natives), bread (birds will become malnourished), milk (it can cause stomach upsets), cooked oats or porridge (It will harden around their beaks, raw oats is fine). • Make sure you clean the feeding station regularly to avoid the spread of disease.

weather by the moon

Ken Ring’s predictions for September

September is likely to have average rain, sunshine and temperatures.

The first week is the cloudiest but driest with the highest average pressure, the second and third weeks are the wettest, the fourth week is the sunniest, and the last week is the warmest. Air pressure may average around 1009 millibars. Most rain may be during the second week. The 4th/5th could be the best weekend for outdoor activities.

For fishermen, the highest tides are around the 9th. The best fishing bite-times in the West are around noon on the 5th-7th, and 19th-22nd. Chances are also good for around dusk of the 12th-14th, and 27th-29th.

For gardeners, pruning is best between the 1st-2nd and 22nd-29th (waning moon descending), and sowing is best between the 8th – 14th (waxing moon ascending). For preserving and longer shelf-life, pick crops or flowers on neap tide days of the 2nd, 16th and 30th. Always allow 24 hour error for all forecasting. For future weather for any date, visit www.predictweather.com. © Ken Ring 2021.