Working Bees
Working Bees at the sanctuary are busy affairs, with planting and raking the developing tracks being our latest activities. Every Working Bee ends with a delicious sausage sizzle, and a beer!
Counting Birds
We want to see what has changed as time goes by, and what is changing in the bush ecosystem. At the moment bird counts are undertaken by volunteers to see what range of bird species are on Kaipupu. Monitoring of flora and fauna will be extended in the future, so we can track and document biological gains on the sanctuary.
Diane John and Vince Cowie on Kaipupu- Bird Survey November 2009
Construction of the fence
The fence has been the major project so far in the development of the sanctuary. First it required significant vegetation to be cleared and the ground to be excavated for a stable base for the fence. Vegetation must not hang over the fence as several of our pests can jump a fair distance – cats and possums for example. Volunteers were all given the training they needed to take part in the construction of the fence.
Clearing ready for the predator proof fence
Volunteers working on the sea-end of the fence – Picton side
Winter Slips
The high rainfall over the winter has given volunteers extra work to do. Some areas uphill from the fence have been slipping, and volunteers have set to work with barrows and shovels to clear the debris away for a clear accessway. The slopes on Kaipupu headland are steep, and the soils, like the entire Sounds area, are easily eroded, but willing hands make great progress.
Port Marlborough came to the rescue, when the job was deemed too big for just hand tools, and spent many hours on the headland with diggers to clear the slips from the fence.
Volunteers clearing dirt from a slip near the fence
Work with wheebarrows and shovels to clear another slip after heavy winter rain
If you would like to volunteer phone 027-898-2517
