FIELD TRIPS

FIELD TRIP TO WAIHI AND MIRANDA - 2018

Only one trip was held for Project Tongariro members this year - but this one was sure worth it!

In early winter, members were treated to a fantastic trip to Thames, staying near the Thames township in Kauaeranga Valley, in two cottages. From there the group explored the gold mining history of the region by partaking in a guided tour of the Gold Mine Experience. They then went on to learn about the Kauri logging history in the valley. The Miranda Hot Pools and the local pubs and restaurants were also checked out and enjoyed.

The highlight of the trip was definitely the visit to the Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre. Following is an excerpt taken from Andy Aanensen’s article on the trip;

“We headed to the hides to watch the birds species gathering on the shell banks . The sun managed to dip below the clouds near the horizon to bathe the foreshore in the beautiful golden glow. It highlighted the many birds that were on the shell banks”.

Here the shell banks of Miranda, attract thousands of migratory birds each year and make for fantastic bird viewing. Some birds make the arduous 10,000 km journey south from the Arctic circle to arrive at Miranda in the spring and fly north again in the autumn. Other birds fly 1,000 km north from the braided river systems of the South Island in the autumn, to over winter at Miranda returning south in the spring. E.g. wrybill, South Island pied oystercatcher and the kōtuku.

Project Tongariro members were expertly hosted by the centre’s manager - Keith Woodley. He was part of the team from the Miranda Trust, that had been travelling to China and North Korea for several years working on bird surveys. This year they were able to take a TVNZ crew to record their trip and the interchange with the North Korean ornithologists. The documentary that aired recently on our screens highlighted the importance and need for many countries to be involved in the protection of habitats for migrating species, who know no borders.

- Kiri Te Wano and Andy Aanensen

FIELD TRIPs PLANNED - 2019

February, 2019 - Date to be confirmed

‘Behind the scenes’ Field Trip to the Trout Centre, to the ‘Whio White Water Boot Camp’ & other local sites.

March, 2019 – Date to be confirmed

‘Walk situated in and around National Park’.

The walk starts at the parking area on Fishers Track behind National Park.  The majority of the walk passes through good stands of tawa; mature rimu; miro and totara; through further native bush to a lookout point where it is possible to view over a large area of countryside. - We continue on through the bush until we get to the position where we view the falls from a ridge.  This is our intended lunch spot. After lunch we return via the same track. The walk will take approximately 3-4 hours. - Led by Roy & Annette Dench.

Friday, May 10, 2019, 9am – Sun, May 12, 2019, 4pm

Tauranga Field Trip

Accommodation:  McLaren falls lodge located in McLaren Falls park  10-15 mins from Tauranga Sleeps 16 $150 per night.  Camping is also available.

Suggested schedule: - Arrive at accommodation and settle in. Plenty of lovely walks in the Park for those who arrive early. Own dinner.

Waterfall night walk to see gloworms - Otanewainuki Kiwi Trust; Otanewainuki Forest; Mountain Road; Tauranga.  Hopefully we can arrange with some of the members to meet and greet our group.  Guided Forest walk

Trevelyans Packhouse – No 1 Rd; Te Puke.  Leaders in zero waste management in the Kiwifruit industry.  Guided tour (if packhouse working – should be at this time of year)

Beach or Mount walk

Dinner in Mount Maunganui

Mauao Area Wildlife Trust – evening visit to Mauao – night tour to see penguins and grey faced petrels - Western Bay Wildlife Trust

Sanctuary Mountain - Maungatautari, Waikato – Ancient Forest Guided Tour (NZ longest predator proof fence)  entrance fee $37 – may be able to get a discount for the group. Visit to Warrenheip Kiwi Creche; Cambridge -  connected to Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust