Conservation Projects

DOC and conservation projects have been a significant part of our community projects and have been both challenging and rewarding.

Weta Motels

These boxes have become a a regular feature on walking tracks where the wetas are observed using them as nests and is part of a reasonably regular construction programme as demand for them continues.  Modifications of their construction has changed and a more efficient process evolved which has improved productivity and made life a lot easier for us.

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Making the separate nesting chambers has been the biggest challenge and we now router these out

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Chambers have a clear  cover and moveable timber cover.

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The metal cap ensures the box remains weathertight when mounted on the tree.

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One of our Weta boxes on a walkway in QE2 Park

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……….and if you look closely it has a visitor at home

Penguin nesting boxes

Another production line was set up for these penguin boxes which were made using specifically donated materials. Those who were involved in positioning them in the sand dunes along the Kapiti coast were allowed to write them names on the boxes.

Team work is a typical part of projects especially where repetitive work is required.

Team work is part of projects especially for repetitive work.

I wonder if there are left and right handed penquins

I wonder if there are left and right handed penquins

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Will this help the penguins recognise home

 

 

 

 

 

Kaka nesting boxes

Simulating hollow tree trunks was the project to encourage Kaka nesting and a prototype that had worked was our guide. This was a another learning curve with our own modifications including one members ability to paint the camouflage. We have made an extra one that is to be mounted in one of the trees in the Reserve adjacent our shed.

Initial Production

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Prototype

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Cutting the pipe to length

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Pipes and lining ready

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Painted awaiting roofs

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Tops ready for fitting

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Painting the camouflage

 

Kaka Nesting boxes – 2016 version

The success of our 2015 venture into producing Kaka nesting boxes and the achievements in the breading program resulted in a another flurry of activity at the shed in the preparation of boxes for the start of the 2016 September Kaka breeding season.

The destructive pecking of the inside liner of their nests results in an annual removal and replacement  of this lining, which we had promised to carryout.  Some lateral thinking and the resultant design of a removable inner sleeve will now mean the main trunk can now remain fixed in position on the tree with the liner only removed annually for maintenance.  The liner unit is held in place and removed with a twist removal action like a light bulb. This liner can also be part lowered to allow inspection and tagging of any chicks during breeding. The photos capture some of the activities during this time when we stripped the linings from the 6 nest made last year, and built and fitted our newly designed  sleeve liners. At the same time 6 new trunks and liners were built and painted and all have been delivered and are now being installed in time for the breeding season.

The 2016 version with major changes

Liners Prepared

The new removable liners

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Design changes during development

Ian On Kaka Project

Ian’s dedication

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Getting the liner exactly right

Predator Roof

Predator proof roof was essential

Happy Team

A line up of most of the team

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Am I really allowed to splash all these colours on this?

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The latest model being hoisted for fixing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stoat Traps

An important project for conservation has been the construction of stoat traps and we have set up production lines at various times to meet requirements.

Peter organising donated timber for the next batch

Peter organising donated timber for the next batch of traps

DOC happy receiving the next order that were assembled by the Great Race teams

DOC receiving their next order assembled by the Great Race teams

The inner of the trap looks menacing and there is a clear warning on top

The inner of the trap looks menacing and there is a clear warning on top