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| New Projects for TOSSI |
| Published on 28-02-2011 | Email To Friend Print Version
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The March 6 Sunday in the Park will mark the commencement of an initiative by TOSSI to build new infrastructure at Tawharanui Regional Park. Consent from Auckland Council has been given to build two new boardwalks giving access to the recently rehabilitated Mangatawhiri wetlands as well as a crossing of the lagoon which will form a link in the new Heritage Walk. This is a loop trail around the lagoon to Jones Bay, across the tidal zone and passing near the site of an early Maori settlement, returning through the farm paddocks and restored saline wetlands. This new initiative by Auckland Council is described in the the Tawharanui Interpretation Plan and has a 2012 implementation date. The Mangatawhiri Wetlands boardwalk will enable people to cross this important area with minimal disturbance of the habitat in order to see the increasing bird life and development of this area which TOSSI undertook as one of the first projects after the pest exclusion fence was completed. Planting of this area is largely completed and regrowth is taking place at a satisfying rate. A birding hide will enhance visitor prospects to see what birds use this wetland zone.
These two boardwalks will be constructed together thus saving duplication of contractor mobilization charges and enabling the utilization of a team of volunteers who have an interest in this construction activity. The first activity by volunteers this coming Sunday will be the filling with mulch of silt containing "socks" which will be placed into the lagoon to trap and remove silt caused by the contractors excavation and post driving activities to install the line of piles to support the walkways. Thereafter the trestles and deck boards will be built by volunteers in subsequent workday events. TOSSI intends to assemble a flexible working party of people interested in the construction and carpentry activities for this project under the leadership of Project Manager Roger Williams.
TOSSI in conjunction with Auckland Council will undertake a census of the kiwi population on Tawharanui using two kiwi trained dogs to locate and identify our current population. Before this takes place, TOSSI will undertake another night walk to locate potential kiwi occupancy areas. Timing for this will be notified to our Owl Prowl community for participation after the schedule for the dog and handler teams is established. All the birds initially translocated to Tawharanui were fitted with embedded microchips so it will now be possible to clearly identify the new progeny.
Members and Friends of TOSSI are again reminded to make reservations for the K Syrah Dinner at Ransom Winery on March 19. Chris Gaskin is from Warkworth and will present an understanding of the status of the exciting new developments in the seabird monitoring activities in the waters of the Hauraki Gulf and the prospects for increased seabird nesting at Tawharanui. TOSSI is going to install a seabird "anchoring" dusk to dawn acoustic attraction system at Takatu Point where Grey-Faced Petrels have recently returned for nesting and breeding on the mainland. This will be a further effort to encourage seabirds to adopt nest sites in the park.
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