Monitoring of seabird nests and wekapunga release sites, infill planting of maahoe (whiteywood) harakeke (flax) and tii ngahere (cabbage tree), nursery weeding and recovery of water tank piping were the tasks completed by the 13 people who water taxied to Motuora on a calm and cloudy early spring day.
Kowhai and Kanuka were in full flower and the bush was lush and green after a wet winter.
As the new water tanks are in place the piping from the old water tanks was recovered with Kevin’s capable guidance. This involved locating the pipes in the Kikuyu, dragging them out and coiling it for transport to Home Bay.
I was disappointed to not see any Popokatea (Whiteheads) during my walk over the ridge track but I did see Magpies, Pukeko, Tui, Piwakawaka, noisy Spur Winged Plovers, California quail, and this pair of Tuturiwhatu (NZ Dotterel).
The new water tanks replace the broken plastic tank that stood beside the original concrete tanks. Here are two images of the old water tanks. One taken in 2004 and the other taken on this visit:
And compare these two views of the southern lookout point from the northern lookout:
MRS has arranged for the manufacture of ladders to facilitate disembarking and embarking to and from the water taxi at Home Bay. In the meantime we improvise using this little white dingy and Kevin’s skill and hardiness:
Please renew your membership of the Motuora Restoration Society if you have not already done so.