Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group

Ashley Rivercare - Wrybill

28, December 2011

The Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group is a community group formed in 1999 to assist with management of the lower reaches of the Ashley River. Its main aims are to protect birds and their habitat in the riverbed, to monitor breeding success, and to promote these activities to the wider public.  In 2005, the Group became an incorporated society. The Group works in close association with DOC, ECan and the Waimakariri District Council, with current major funding being supplied by the World Wildlife Fund.

Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group Powerpoint

Braided Rivers

The braided rivers of the South Island are a unique habitat of outstanding importance to endemic wildlife. In particular, they provide breeding habitat for a range of threatened bird species, some of which depend largely or entirely on braided rivers for their survival. Braided rivers commonly have large areas of bare, mobile shingle, multiple channels, and variable flows.  However their ecological values are increasingly threatened; most have been invaded by weeds and introduced mammalian predators, and are further degraded by a wide variety of human activities.

The Ashley-Rakahuri River

Ashley Rivercare - Gul Chicks

28, December 2011

The Ashley-Rakahuri is a medium-sized river located in North Canterbury. From the Ashley Gorge, the river flows east and enters the sea about 25 km north of Christchurch. In contrast to the larger snow-fed rivers, the Ashley-Rakahuri is fed by rainfall from the foothills and has relatively low flow rates.

The bird values of the Ashley-Rakahuri are well-recognised. Following surveys of Canterbury rivers in the 1970s, the New Zealand Wildlife Service ranked their wildlife and conservation values; the Ashley-Rakahuri was one of five rivers given the highest possible ranking of ‘Outstanding’. More recently, the Ashley River and estuary were also included in a list of wetland sites of international importance in New Zealand.

Birds on the River

Ashley Rivercare - Tern

28, December 2011

In the past, the river has provided breeding habitat for significant numbers of black-fronted terns (Sterna albostriata) and thousands of pairs of black-billed gulls (Larus bulleri). Recently the number of gulls in particular has declined substantially. The Ashley is one of the most northerly on which wrybills (Anarhynchus frontalis) breed, following a southward contraction of the core range of the species over the past century.   These three key species have been the main focus of management activities of the Group; all are endemic, have declining populations and are considered threatened.

Group Activities

The main activities undertaken by the Group in 2011 were:

• A survey of bird species in the lower river in November
• Control of mammalian predators in areas with concentrations of nesting birds
  

  Ashley Rivercare - Traps

  28, December 2011
• Monitoring of bird breeding success 
• Maintenance of riverbed signs to alert public of bird breeding areas
• Assisting enhancement of public facilities  (walking track, 4WD track, swimming holes, etc) in parts of the river not used by birds
• Advocacy and liaison with schools, special interest groups and the general public
• Liaison with Waimakariri Zone Committee and Canterbury water use decision-makers.
• Group meetings once every 3-4 months (usually in the local Dept of Conservation offices on River Road, Rangiora).

Keeping in touch

• The Group has a well illustrated 20 minute Powerpoint address which describes activities. This is available for presentation to schools, service groups etc. Contact the Chairman, Nick Ledgard (details below) if interested. Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group Powerpoint
  
•  ‘Membership’ is a list of email addresses, to which information is sent on a regular basis. If you would like to be on that list, please email your address to Nick Ledgard.
• During the breeding season, an email ‘Update’ is sent around. Click on the latest ‘Update’ and read what's been happening on the river.
• At the end of each season, a comprehensive annual report is written. If you would like to be sent a copy in pdf form contact Nick Ledgard.
  

Chairman:                                            Secretary:
Nick Ledgard                                        Joan Miles
191 Carrs Road                                      905 Mt Thomas Road
Loburn RD 2                                          Rangiora RD 1
Rangiora 7472    

Email:    n.ledgard@xtra.co.nz                 Email:    k-jmiles@scorch.co.nz
Phone:  03 312 8799                               Phone:  03 313 5133