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Rare tree discovered in the Sanctuary

During our annual kākāriki karaka survey, Biodiversity Ranger Chelsea spotted a small raukawa sapling, a species not yet recorded in the Sanctuary. Biodiversity Ranger Henry accompanied Chelsea to the site and together they managed to locate several adult and juvenile plants. This find is significant as this species has become exceptionally rare in the region.

Raukawa is a tree whose large shiny leaves are delicious to possums and deer. Raukawa was recently moved from ‘Not Threatened’ to the threat category of ‘At Risk - Declining’. This reflects its increasing rarity of this species nationally, however, the threat status of the plant locally in eastern Nelson is probably quite worse.
Within the ranges surrounding the Sanctuary, raukawa is scarce. Where raukawa still does persist, it does so under constant threat of destruction.
The Sanctuary is free of pest mammals*, and in turn has become a refuge for historically common plants like orchids, mistletoes and palatable trees like raukawa.

The leaves are large, thick and glossy, and as juveniles, come in sets of three leaflets. The juvenile leaves are distinctively lobed/ deeply toothed. Once an adult, leaves are produced singly with an entire margin that undulates like a crinkled chip. Raukawa are both male and female at the same time, but not like most plants. Inflorescences(clusters of flowers) of raukawa contain a mixture of separate male and female flowers. This cleverly separates their sexes spatially which may help them to avoid self pollination.

Raukawa is what is called a facultative epiphyte. This means that it has the capacity to begin its life in a tree, in this case tree ferns like kātote and ponga. This ability once kept them out of reach of the giant moa. Eventually their root reaches the ground and then forms a trunk, at which point the raukawa slowly outgrows its host, becoming reasonably large.

This find embodies the natural wonder that is beneath the surface of the Sanctuary. And, the importance of the Sanctuary, not just for birds, but for plants, lizards, invertebrates and habitats and communities as a whole.

#nativeplants #rareplant

Kākāriki survey crashed by local kea

Images provided by Sanctuary volunteer Sean McGrath.

On the 1st and 2nd of September, the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary held the kākāriki karaka population count.

On the second survey day, we were surprised to be greeted by a very curious kea! Not quite the parrot we were after, and not at all a parrot we were expecting.
The kea began to follow two of our volunteers along one and a half kilometres of track, causing general kea mayhem in the process. He nibbled their shoes, landed on their heads and threw the pest tracking tunnels off the tracks. According to the online kea database our cheeky friend`s name is “Track”.

In Aotearoa, three kākāriki are endemic to the mainland islands. The rarest of them all is the orange-fronted kākāriki, the smallest of the kākāriki. This species was once abundant on the South Island. It cohabited forests with the other two mainland species, the yellow-crowned and red-crowned kākāriki. While the other two species still maintain several substantial populations nationwide, kākāriki karaka are critically threatened with extinction. They share the title of most endangered native forest bird with kākāpō.

The population has grown rapidly since their release into the Sanctuary in 2021. On the first survey day, we collectively counted almost 300 birds. The survey methodology and resource availability limits the accuracy of the count within such a large area with such a high bird density. ~300 birds serves as a low baseline population estimate.
However, it would be reasonable to estimate the population to be above 400. The Sanctuary is the world’s largest population of the species. Buller noted in 1869 that the species was common in the hills behind Nelson. Six years ago that statement would have been untrue. DoC are now harvesting eggs from this population to boost their captive breeders.

It has been a delight to watch this species thrive and regain its place in the ngahere.

If you enjoyed these excellent images, please check out Sean McGrath’s blog seanmcgrath.nz

@aptenodytes42
#kea #kakarikikaraka #brookwaimarama

We are receiving some absolutely amazing images as part of our Photography Competition! 📸️🌿

These are just some of the recent Winter Competition entries that have come through — and we think you`ll agree, they are amazing! 🏆 Winners for the Winter Competition will be announced soon!

🌸 Our Spring category is now open! 🌸

As the seasons change, we can’t wait to see the Sanctuary come to life through your photographs. Keep those entries coming!

www.brooksanctuary.org.nz/photography-competition

📷Photo credits: Matti Raven, Katrin Raven and Juliette Fris.

#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #PhotographyCompetition #WinterPhotography #SpringPhotography #NaturePhotography #Conservation #NelsonTasman