Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary

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14 Auckland Street, Picton
PO Box 186, Picton
info@kaipupupoint.co.nz
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  • Home
  • About
    • The Society
  • Visitor Information
  • School & Guided tours
  • Latest News
    • Newsletters
    • Monthly catch data
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
    • Support our work
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  • FAQ
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December 07th, 2020

12/7/2020

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1 Comment

Collaborating for Conservation

3/1/2019

2 Comments

 
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​Finding ways to help the environment has never been easier thanks to the collaboration of three local environmental groups, Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary, Envirohub Marlborough and Picton Dawn Chorus.   

“Along with the Department of Conservation, Port Marlborough is a ‘Foundation Partner’ of the Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary. We’re delighted to take that partnership to the next level by now providing fully sponsored long-term accommodation to the Kaipupu Sanctuary team, along with similarly focused community environmental groups Picton Dawn Chorus and Envirohub.” Rose Prendeville, Capabilities Manager at Port Marlborough continues “these groups will collectively occupy retail premises at the Auckland Street frontage of the main Port Marlborough administration building, which we already share with DOC – making the co-location a natural fit. On behalf of the groups, we acknowledge Marlborough District Council councillors and staff for their support of this collaboration.”  

 “The support from Port Marlborough and the Marlborough District Council in creating this wonderful new space is hugely appreciated by all of us. It will be a great working environment for our coordinators as well as a chance for us to connect with the public, to share knowledge about traps and trapping, and to continue our efforts towards getting a trap in every fourth garden in Picton” says James Wilson, Chairman of Picton Dawn Chorus.  

The space at 14 Auckland Street, previously a self-service laundromat, has been fitted out to include a shop and information area out the front, and a back office to accommodate the coordinators from the three environmental groups.  The front space will also double as a space for talks, workshops and events.     

“We are looking forward to the opportunities that working under one roof will bring” says Rachel Russell, Project Coordinator for Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary.  “With similar goals we hope to collaborate on more projects that will inform our community and benefit the environment in and around Picton”. 

For all the groups the words ‘mahi tahi’ or working together sum up nicely what the groups are trying to achieve in this space.  Andrea Askin Mills, Envirohub Marlborough coordinator explains “we are excited to be working alongside two fantastic organisations and looking forward to running and promoting more environmental events for our community from a wonderful new shared space.” 

Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary, Picton Dawn Chorus and Envirohub Marlborough will be ready to welcome visitors to 14 Auckland Street (next to Picton Laundromat) from Monday 25th February.  An official opening will be held later in March.
2 Comments

Our night owls...the Little Blue Penguin

6/8/2017

3 Comments

 
In the world of Little Blue Penguins, males arrive at nest sites first. Nests are prepared and territories formed with displays used to attract mates and deter the competition. Once established, the penguin pair continue to embellish their nest with leaves, twigs and even the odd ponga frond. This is the second year that we have filmed the penguins in this box and they are currently working all night long to complete their nest. Can you spot the third penguin entering the nest box (maybe last years chick or perhaps a friendly neighbour?)
3 Comments

Vespula thieves get the death penalty this summer

2/7/2017

5 Comments

 
Every summer wasps are an unwelcome guest who make picnics at the beach or native bush walks unpleasant and sometimes dangerous for visitors.  These vespula thieves steal food resources from our native birds and insects and in some areas, reduce the honeydew crop by up to 90%.  Wasps eat a wide range of invertebrates including spiders, caterpillars, ants, bees and flies, and may predate some native invertebrates to the point of population collapse.  In New Zealand beech forests, the total biomass of wasps is thought to be more than that of native birds, with an average of 12 nests or 10,000 wasps per hectare. 
At Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary, wasps gather near the water ponds and feed on honeydew collected from beech trees. In the past, each nest has been dealt with on discovery but this year we are aiming to remove over 90% of all wasps using Vespex.  This highly effective wasp bait targets common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and German wasp (V. germanica) when they are feeding on protein.  The bait is collected by individual wasps and taken back to their nests where the slow acting insecticide is shared throughout the colony.  It does not target bees and has a low toxicity to mammals and birds, in fact the active ingredient is commonly found in flea treatments.
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ABOVE: Wasps feeding on Vespex bait
BELOW: Bait being placed in a yellow bait station
​Image source: Vespex website
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​We know that Vespex will be extremely effective on the Sanctuary but we want to aim bigger… we want to get rid of wasps from the whole of Picton and Waikawa.  By targeting a larger area, it will reduce reinvasion of wasps onto the Sanctuary but it will also benefit the wildlife around Picton and Waikawa, and it will make fish and chips on the foreshore much more enjoyable.
To achieve large-scale wasp control, we need help.  Once testing shows the right level of wasp numbers, 520 bait stations will need to be placed across Picton and Waikawa including The Wedge, Victoria Domain, Essons Valley and urban areas.  We are looking for people who are keen to help with this process but we are also looking for people who would like to host a bait station in their own backyard.  The map below gives an indication of where bait stations are likely to be placed, if you would like to help please give us a call.
The total cost of this control programme will be around $3,500 and we believe that this is an achievable figure.  We have already received a donation from The Veronica Trust but every little bit helps.  If you would like to donate funds to help us achieve a wasp free Picton/Waikawa then please contact us.
For more information about Vespex visit their website.
Host a bait station
Become a volunteer
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5 Comments

South Island Robin transfer - March 2016

12/19/2016

1 Comment

 
1 Comment

How many birds?

11/24/2016

2 Comments

 
Monitoring bird numbers help us to see tell if our trapping programme is successful. Each year volunteers carry out bird counts to determine the number of birds across the Sanctuary and the resulting movies (below) show bird-count heatmaps over time.  The timeline across the top shows the year, with key dates giving an insight into the fluctuations of bird numbers.
2006:  the establishment of the Sanctuary 
2008: the predator proof fence was installed
2012: an intensive pest eradication programme began
2013: the Sanctuary was opened to the public 
Bellbird
Silvereye
Grey Warbler
Kereru
Fantail
Thanks to CatchIT Graphics, we can also see the number of pest species across the Sanctuary. Below is a link to the heat maps and graphs showing the number of rats, mice, stoats and possums caught.
Pest Heat Maps & Graphs
2 Comments

Penguins of Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary

11/17/2016

1 Comment

 
​You know that feeling...when you've just got home and you know you have to look after the kids but you really don't want to (not just yet anyway) so you delay walking in the door...until you are sprung...and then you settle in for the night and a late night visitor pops in.
1 Comment

Queen Charlotte College visit the Sanctuary

9/1/2016

2 Comments

 
During the last week of August, approximately 170 students from Queen Charlotte College visited the Sanctuary and helped with native plantings in our restoration area.  This area is now filled with a range of native seedlings which will provide food or habitat for our native wildlife. This was possible thanks to a grant from Pub Charity, our amazing education team leader Andrew John and our incredible volunteers who helped out during the week.  Thank you to everyone who was involved.
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2 Comments

One year...

8/29/2016

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0 Comments

Our feathery friends enjoying the nightlife at the Sanctuary

6/15/2016

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    About the Sanctuary

    Established in 2005, Kaipupu Point Sounds Wildlife Sanctuary is the closest sanctuary to Picton.  Protected by a pest resistant fence, Kaipupu Point is a safe haven to many native plant and animal species.

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