Back to Blog

LONG TAILED BATS

We were delighted to welcome Robert Carson-Iles, Senior DOC Ranger to the Point Bush Visitor Centre last Saturday (20th May) to talk to us about Long Tailed bats or Pekapeka in South Canterbury.  Whilst most of us know there are bats somewhere around....many of us have little knowledge of these precious, critically endangered mammalians!  Yes...they are mammals, despite being voted "New Zealand's Bird of the Year" in 2021!To demonstrate just how  "feather weight" in size they...

**DATES UPDATED** -- NOTICE OF CLOSURE

Hi all, we have had an update from our contractors - and there has been a delay to planned work in the Ecosanctuary.The EcoSanctuary is CLOSED until 10 th August for wallaby management control by contractorsReopening 10 th AugustDOG WALKERS advisedNot to take dogs through the EcoSanctuary until end of AugustThank you for your understandingPBERT021 576 868...

Community talk on Long-tailed bats in South Canterbury

by Robert Carson-IlesSaturday 20th May at the Point Bush Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre228 Point Bush Road Waimate6 pm Supper - 7.30 pm Talk & Presentation          Come and join us for an enlightening evening on long-tailed bats by Robert.6 p.m. We are aiming to have a shared Supper (bring a plate) with Talk and presentation at 7.30 p.m.   RSVP to Ann at pointbusheconsanctuary@gmail.com       &n...

PEST PREDATOR TRACKING TUNNEL WORKSHOP " RATPACKS"

We are planning to advertise RATPACK Workshop dates out in the Community (during the Summer School holidays)for interested Families & Kids who would like  to come along to the Point Bush Visitor Centre to make Pest Predator Tracking Tunnels to set out in the Ecosanctuary or take home to put out in their backyard, garden, farm to monitor rat, mice, hedgehog (footprint) activity and record their findings.Learn how to make a tracking tunnel and  identify footprints of rats, mice ...

TRIP TO CURIO BAY’S FOSSILISED FOREST

What must it have been like?   Imagine Jurassic forests 180 million years ago! Apart from vegetation, trees, ferns ....what else would have been around? Trustees of Point Bush Ecosanctuary explored Curio Bay to research heritage conservation in other parts of New Zealand and were captivated by the incredible surviving preserved remnants of  this incredibly unique fossil forest in the Catlins. Curio Bay, found in the Catlins, in the south of the South Island of New Zealand, is a coastal...

Nurseryweb spider

I was out in the Ecosanctuary checking the pest predator traps on Sunday afternoon  and had just removed the top  of one trap when I spotted a large Nurseryweb spider,  stretched outin an impressive elongated (yoga type) pose lying quietyl and unperturbed on top of the wooden trap box frame.  I had not seen this spider up close before...and most spiders scuttle away fast when disturbed.  She...I feel certain it was a female Nurseryweb spider (Dolores minor...

The Smell of Spring in the Bush!

Walking in the Ecosanctuary during October and November has been a heady experience with not only the visual display of bud and flower burst but the wonderful fragrances caught on the warm breeze of flowering Tarata, lemon wood, pittisporum eugenoidies All looking and smelling divine. ...

New Steps being built on the Whitehorse Walkway in the EcoSanctuary

The Whitehorse Walkway is a very popular walking track that runs uphill through the EcoSanctuary native bush, leading to the iconic Whitehorse effigy that lies on the hillside at 400m elevation overlooking the township of Waimate Those who walk the track regularly are very familiar with a steep section of track (just before the red seat) that has a length of blue climbing rope lashed to tree trunks,  acting as a handy “rail” to hang onto as the track is prone to being excessively slippe...

Waitaha geckos found in Point Bush Ecosanctuary story Darwin Kruize (aged 11 years)

My name is Darwin Kruize, I am eleven years old and recently I foundtwo geckos in the Point Bush Ecosanctuary. My sister Ginevra, my dadand my Granny and I came to Waimate on the 25th to check out theecosanctuary and see if we could help out. We walked up the big easytrack with Ann Dennison, the leader of the ecosanctuary, talking abouttrapping and pests as well as what animals may thrive once the pestnumbers are reduced. Eventually we turned around and headed backalong a 4WD track running along...

Your donations are helping!

As the Ecosanctuary grows and matures, plans include elimination of pest predatorsand wallabies to facilitate eventual introduction of SI Robin and Tieke native bird species., use of technology/apps to monitor trapping and biodiversity data....

Podocarpus Totara seeds

Totara is a relative slow growing tree capable of growing for 1,000 years or more, reaching 30 metres high and 2-3 in diameter. It has reasonable tolerance of cold and will grow to altitudes of 500-600 metres.  It’s fruit is favoured by Kereru and Tui, native birds which disperse the seeds....

18th SANCTUARIES OF NEW ZEALAND (SONZI) CONFERENCE

Point Bush Ecosanctuary Trustees, Gary and Ann Dennison recently attended the annual 3 day Sanctuaries of New Zealand (SONZI) Conference held in Nelson at the Beachside Conference Event Centre, Tahunanui 16th - 18th August 2022. And YES, it was during the week of Red Alert Wet Weather warning that resulted in massive flooding and mud slips in the Nelson and Marlborough regions. Whilst the Beachside Centre was fortunately not impacted, there were traumatising events happening close by. ...

Celebrating Matariki

“For millennia, our ancestors have built an understanding of the universe and how it works while maintaining and sharing this knowledge through waiata, karakia, pūrākau, art, crafts, and architecture” In this article from the Otago Daily Times, Victoria Campbell (Kāi Tahu), explains some of the mātauranga (traditional knowledge) around the constellation and its place in the traditions of the mana whenua of the South...

Working Bee 🐝 Saturday 25th + Sunday 26th June

We are on a final push to get as many plant protectors in place for our newly planted native plants on the hill top of Point Bush Ecosanctuary, near the Whitehorse MonumentSATURDAY 25th JUNE + SUNDAY 26th JUNE10am - 3pm (both days) We need helping hands to put the canes and protectors around the plants.... we've even got a quick video from Ann + Gary demonstrating how simple it is... all we now need are hands and time to spend helping out...

Olearia hectorii (Hectors tree daisy)

We are thrilled to share that the Department of Conservation is giving our Ecosanctuary 200 seedlings of Olearia hectorii (Hectors tree daisy) to plant as part of our native regeneration and planting plans.You can find more information below courtesy of DOC on Olearia hectorii (Hectors tree daisy)...

WINTER PLANTING

Plans for winter native tree planting commenced last week along sites along the hill top of the Ecosanctuary Local contactors Central Forestry Services Ltd began planting on Tuesday 10th May last week and by Friday (over 4 days) had planted 10,454 selected native canopy plants that were provided by local Headford Propagators nursery A variety of native species planted includes: Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)Kunzea Ericoides (Kanuka)Plagianthus Regius (Ribbonwood)Cordyline Australis (Cabbage Tr...

Froggy Facts

Conservation Week - Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Turoa Native New Zealand frogs are very rare and only found in the North Island and Maud Island in Marlborough Sounds.     New Zealand has 4 native frog species, Hochstetter's, Archey's, Hamilton's and Maud Island frog (all belong to the genus Leiopelma).   In pre-human times they were spread throughout Aoteroa.   These native amphibians are not like regular frogs.  They are pretty much silent (no croaking only a chirru...

Conservation Week 2021/4–12 September

Take a moment to celebrate and enjoy nature this Conservation Week.  When PapatUanuku thrives...we all thrive!   This can be felt when we take time for ourselves in the outdoors;  we give our minds a break and feel connected to nature.  It can be as simple as stopping to listen to birdsong, taking  a walk, planting a tree or supporting a conservation project in your neighborhood. Treat each and every day as special and take time to admire Nature's Artwork!https://ww...

signs of spring

Signs of Spring are here and so is Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Turoa or Conservation Week 4 - 12 September!Unfortunately, many of the planned community events during this period have been put on hold with the current level of lockdown.  However, we encourage you all to look at Nature "up close" even if it's  in your own backyard!    Look closely at Nature!  Take time to stare into the Springtime blossom that has burst forth at the moment. Marvel at the petal shapes, colours an...

ECOSANCTUARY OPEN - 10th JULY 2021

Hi friends ... just a quick update to let you know the gates to the Ecosanctuary are now open... and there is access to all tracks and trails within the Ecosanctuary fenced area! Thank you so much for all your support and patience over the past two weeks - we should have an update from Environment Canterbury soon that we can share as to the results from the Wallaby control programme A quick reminder - ALL DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON LEAD AT ALL TIMES! This is a compulsory aspect to our working Ecosanct...

IMPORTANT UPDATE - NOTICE OF UPCOMING WALLABY CONTROL WORKS

Our Trust is very grateful for the support of Environment Canterbury in arranging an upcoming Wallaby control programme that can now be undertaken with the completion of our Predator Proof Fence. Please be aware that this programme is due to begin shortly andin the interest of public safety, the entire Point Bush Ecosanctuary area including all walking, biking and mountain biking tracks will be closed to the public from the 28th of June until the 9th of July All access gates to the Ecosanctuar...

Visitors to the Ecosanctuary!

Here we are at the end of March and the late summer weather continues on!  Gary and I were delighted to host several groups over the past couple of weeks, being able to make use of our Visitors Centre to show presentations and to chat about our vision, followed by guided tours along stretches of both the Whitehorse Walkway and Big Easy trails!...

PREDATOR FENCE UPDATE | FEB 2021

It was a big milestone day yesterday, as our Predator Proof fence officially “linked up” and became a full enclosure surrounding our 90ha site! There are still more layers of the fine mesh to be installed, however the main fence structure and self-closing access gates are installed! We have reached a very exciting stage of the Ecosanctuary project, involving a lot of activity around the site - which is a timely reminder to check in here with our Facebook page for any important notices and t...

FENCE UPDATE - MOUNTAINBIKE TRACK TEMPORARY CLOSURE

PLEASE NOTE A DIGGER AND FENCING CONTRACTORS HAVE COMMENCED PUTTING IN THE PREDATOR FENCE AROUND THE ECOSANCTUARY PERIMETER.THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ALONG CENTREWOOD PARK ROAD.MOUNTAIN BIKERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE MTB TRACKS Wriggly Beast, Rosewood Loop Filthy AnimalThe Big Easy and Whitehorse Walkway remain open. Point Bush Ecological Trust ph: 021673327...

Waituna Creek School Visit

Principal Tiffany Ottley and her staff planned a School outing to thePoint Bush Ecosanctuary and we were all looking forward to hosting them.The sun was shining as 34 eager Waituna Creek School students spilled out of the bus for the start of their morning visit to the Point BushVisitor Centre and Ecosanctuary Forest exploration. On hand were Eco Project Volunteers Andrew Oliver and Ni Carter to lead the older students (aged 10 to 12 years)  through a native plant and tree species identific...