6 January 2012: the Brook Sanctuary in Nelson

This morning we started our day by Skyping with the Balmville School 3^rd graders.  Bryan Pujol led the discussion with the 3^rd graders on basic information on New Zealand (e.g., What is the climate? What season is it in New Zealand? Have we seen any kiwi yet?!).  Our group’s interactions with the 3^rd graders are designed to promote communication between the Mount and local school groups and.  In this case, our study abroad group is providing the opportunity for the 3^rd graders to learn about New Zealand through our ‘on the ground’ experiences. Third grade teacher Kris Campbell-Defoe and technology teacher Carol Franklyn have been instrumental in arranging this interaction with the Balmville students.  Bryan did an awesome job chatting with the students and the students were giddy to see us while we were in New Zealand!

Our second visit to an area specifically managed for the preservation of native flora and fauna was to the Brook Sanctuary, a site overseen by a local council and headed by our guide for the day, Rick Field.  The up-and-coming Brook Sanctuary does not yet have the exclusion fencing surrounding the Karori Sanctuary, but its location within a valley surrounded on three sides by mountain ridges makes the sanctuary one the best places to situate a sanctuary (according to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation).  Rick led our group in a discussion on what factors led to the demise of New Zealand’s plants and wildlife, and our group was only too happy to offer their knowledge gained from their visits to the Karori Sanctuary and the Leigh Marine Reserve.  We learned more about the trapping techniques employed to reduce non-native predatory species and even had the opportunity to see some of the species snared within the traps (Australian Possum, and unfortunately, a Weka (Gallirallus australis).  Rick highlighted the amount of time and effort needed to capture predators and the role local community groups play in assisting with sanctuary needs: weeding-out non-native plants and planting native species, removing introduced predators, maintaining ‘tracks’ (in the USA called ‘trails’), and fundraising.  It struck many in our group that the dependency on community groups, rather than government agencies, to manage sanctuaries is relatively large.  Many students asked whether we could get involved in such efforts while traveling abroad and Rick was happy to offer us an opportunity the next time we visit to get down-and-dirty to help the sanctuary accomplish its goals. Right-on!  We took a hike through one of the lush trails on the sanctuary’s property and saw many of the traps Rick spoke about earlier in our visit, and heard Tui calling, saw Keruru perching/chasing prey in the air, and caught glimpse of non-native species including the European Blackbird (Turdus merula, a relative of our American Robin), and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).

Following our trip to the Brook Sanctuary, we drove along the coast to the seaside town of Kaiteriteri for a meal of fish and chips (fries) on the beach, and then arrived at our final destination in Marahau: the Barn.  We had a long evening preparing for our trip into Abel Tasman National Park, a three-day kayak/backpacking/camping trip that required us to carry all of our camping gear and food for the three day trip.  By 1am, the backpacks were fitted to our hikers and packed for their 11km trip to the Anchorage campground!

 Rick Field, project coordinator at the Brook Sanctuary, speaking to our group about trapping devices used to remove introduced predators.

Rick Field shares information with our group on the merits of different types of exclusion fences that will someday surround the Brook Sanctuary.

5 January 2012: Nelson and a warm, sunny beach!

The summer sun followed us through the vineyards that are scattered across the north end of the South Island.  This area, the Marlborough Sounds region, has blossomed in the last 10 years into one the leading wine-exporting locations in the world.  At about 75 degrees F, we were experiencing one of the warmest days thus far on our trip, so we decided to visit the local beach, Tahunanui Beach.  We were not disappointed!  The protected beach was relatively flat, offered gentle waves, and most importantly, warm water (~70 degrees F: warmer than Jones Beach in even the warmest of summers!). We played rugby in the water, built sand castles, and even played on the local playset.  Everyone had a blast taking in what would generally be considered a typical summer’s day!

Yeah, we're happy it's summer!

5 January 2012: Ferry crossing of Cook Strait

After our last day in Wellington, we took the Interislander Ferry from the North Island, leaving from Wellington, to the South Island, arriving in Picton.  A ‘southeasterly’ (winds blowing from the southeast of the country) a brewed-up overnight, and leaving Wellington’s harbor looked like it would be a daunting crossing: some passages of Cook Strait have included swells of 30ft and a crossing time of 8-10 hrs!  Today we’d see none of the rough sees; just a little rain leaving the harbor and 40 mph winds ripping across the deck seating (where Dr. Moran and I sat for the ~3 hr crossing).  Due to the strong winds, I didn’t see as many birds navigating the strait as I did during my previous time in New Zealand, which was disappointing.  Last time, albatross, petrels, and gulls flew past the ferry last time and gave me a glimpse of what I would see around the Dunedin area.  This time, the strong winds only offered white caps and sea spray and insight into how harsh life on the sea can be.

As we entered Queen Charlotte Sound on the South Island, the weather cleared and we were treated to a phenomenal view of small islands and green-blue waters of the sound.  Our students, who spent the majority of the trip below deck, made their way to the deck for some summer sun and stunning views.  After a semi-gloomy week on the North Island, this sun was welcomed by all!

Once in Picton, we grabbed a bite to eat, including some ice cream, wandered down to the beach for a short view of the summer we all expected to find in New Zealand, and then we were off to Nelson. 

Looking toward the South Island riding the Interislander Ferry through the Cook Strait. Notice the whitecaps in the water!

Looking at a commercial mussel operation in Queen Charlotte Sound.

Dr. Moran walking toward the beach in Picton.

4 January 2012: Alexis Garland & North Island Robin research, Karori Sanctuary (Zealandia)

Following our guided tour through the Karori Sanctuary, we had the opportunity to learn about the research on North Island New Zealand Robins that is currently taking place in the sanctuary.  Victoria University (of Wellington) Psychobiology PhD candidate Alexis Garland described to us her research investigating counting and recognition of humans as knowledgeable beings (‘agents’) in the environment in her leg-banded population of Robins in the sanctuary.  Alexis clearly described her research to our group and then led a hike into the sanctuary to visit some of her experimental subjects.  We even had the opportunity to participate in an experimental trial with Alexis’ Robins: Peter Kelleher (Psychology) and Bryan Pujol (Business) helped in a trial that tested whether Robins would take a mealworm from an experimental tray when a person had his eyes covered (Bryan) or not (Peter): the Robin chose Bryan’s worm!  Although this was only one trial, Alexis indicated that her research arrived at the same result: Robins recognize when another individual (another species, at that!) is attentive to it, particularly when food, a valuable resource, is at stake.  Our students had some excellent questions for Alexis and were very impressed by Alexis and her Robins.

Bryan Pujol (Business), Alexis Garland (U. of Victoria), and Peter Kelleher (Psychology) preparing for a research trial on North Island Robins.

4 January 2012: Karori Sanctuary (Zealandia), Wellington

We had our first official introduction to the predators that have decimated the native flora and fauna of New Zealand during our visit to Karori Sanctuary (or Zealandia) in Wellington.  Our friendly and knowledgeable guide, Ken, showed us mounts of predators the first settlers of New Zealand introduced intentionally (weasels to eradicate the introduced rabbits and Australian possums introduced for the fur trade) or accidentally (any introduced rat species).  In addition to the stories behind the introduction of the predators, we also learned of the measures taken to remove predators from protected areas: snap-traps, mini hydraulic-powered compression traps, and Sherman live-traps.  What was impressive about these traps was the genuine concern by the inventors for the pain experienced by the predator: all the lethal traps were designed to kill the predator immediately.  Predator trapping began in the sanctuary (2/3 the size of Central Park!) beginning in 1975 and continues to this day.  The trapping efforts have created a predator-free zone that is maintained by a 2m-high stainless steel fence, complete with a .3m-wide ‘lip’ that caps the top of the fence.  This fence has helped protect little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii), North Island saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater), and Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri), all species that are only found in the Sanctuary and offshore islands.  We heard the saddlebacks calling and saw the Takahe, but did not see any kiwi (except the mounted specimen we had the opportunity to touch!).  The Sanctuary also boasts a large population of Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), Keruru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), North Island Robin (Petroica longipes) and the very rare Brown Teal (Anas chlorotis), all species we saw or heard during our visit.  The weather was bright and sunny and contributed to a great walkabout with Ken!  Dr. Moran and I were proud of our Mount students when Ken told us they asked great questions during the presentation and walk and was very excited by their enthusiasm.

Mount Saint Mary College students outside the greeting center at Karori Sanctuary (Zealandia).

Becky Seepersad (Chemistry) takes some great pictures of the endangered Takahe (only 250 remain alive!).

3 January 2012: Te Papa and Owhiro Bay

Wow and wow!  Today, we visited the New Zealand's official museum: Te Papa.  Located in downtown Wellington and only a stone's throw from our hostel, Te Papa is a state-of-the-art museum featuring incredible displays and hands-on activities for young and old.  One of the most impressive displays in the museum is the section devoted to the Waitangi Treaty, the document signed by hundreds of Maori chiefs in 1840 that gave their sovereignty to Queen Victoria of England.  The section of the museum features the English and Maori interpretations of the Treaty, and the highlights the fact that the two versions of the document were not exactly the same: the Maori version of the document states a 'government' would be constructed in the country, but in the English version, the ruling is strictly assigned to the Queen of England.  It would be some time before the Maori would establish their rights in the country, but a revision of the document in 1975, called the Waitangi Tribunal, began the difficult process of reconciling the obvious improprieties of the original document.  Admittedly, it was impressive to see that a colonial country could begin to reconcile their initial actions (but, then again, maybe the British had learned a thing or two about governing their colonies...ahem!).  In addition to the Waitangi Treaty, the museum had an impressive section on the flora and fauna of New Zealand, including some of the massive species that went extinct following the arrival of humans (the Maori).

After our day in the museum, our group headed out to Owhiro (pronounced oh-fear-o) Bay in search of seals.  We had another incredible day of austral summer: bright summer sun and a good breeze blowing in from the sea.  We poked around on exposed rocks along the shoreline and found many chiton and snails, the odd crab, and a few sculpin-like fish.  Under the advice of a graduate student at Victoria University in Wellington, we headed down the beach in search of seals; and we found one!  Our group managed LOTS of pictures of our lone friend on the beach, but it made the 3-mile hike worth it!

Dr. James Moran checking out a sleeping fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella; look at the center of the picture!).

Lindsay Bordonaro (History/ Education; blue coat) and Angela Broyles (International Studies) examine a tidal pool in Owhiro Bay.

Brittany Farron (Biology/ Chemistry) examines the fur seal we found in Owhiro Bay.

Peter Kelleher (Psychology) pondering the great mysteries of the universe...or wondering how he's going to get down from the giant boulder he's standing upon!

2 January 2012: Lake Taupo and Wellington

Today, we traveled from Rotorua to Lake Taupo and then onto Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.  After nearly 4 days in the rain, we finally saw the sun and reveled in it on a beach along Lake Taupo.  Our long trip ended in Wellington, where our group meandered into downtown Wellington for a bite to eat.  Our first adventure in Wellington takes place tomorrow when we visit Te Papa, the national museum.