Friends of Lord Howe IslandNewsletter No.39 Summer 2014

Weed trips for 2015

The new format for the Friends weeding ecotours is proving popular, so will be run in the same format in 2015.At this stage there will be three trips on:June 27 to July 4July 26 to August 2 August 30 to September 6

The first group will be staying at Somerset Apartments with host Gai Wilson. Robert Coenraads will be along to assist with this group. Robert enjoys coming along to be part of the Friends projects and give his daughters Francheska and Leonora the experience of Lord Howe Island and the Friends conservation project, plus company of the tour members each day and night. This is school holidays, and quite a few people do bring children or grandchildren on this week, and all present enjoy the company of younger people on the trip.

Groups 2 and 3 will be staying at Leanda Lei Apartments with hosts Peter and Judy Riddle. Group 3 leader will be Bill McDonald, who enjoys coming that week, just as the seabirds begin to return to the Island for spring breeding.

See back page for costs and booking details.

New LHI Board

In February, elections were held for the four Lord Howe Island Board positions. The successful candidates were Barney Nichols, Lisa Makiti, Craig Wilson and Judy Riddle. All elected members are keen to maintain the environment on the island, and are aware of the contribution made by the Friends of Lord Howe Island over many years.

The three mainland Board members are: Rob Pallin (Environmental), John King (Tourism) and the newly appointed chair is Simon Smith, Deputy Chair of the NSW Premier and Cabinet. Simon will make his first visit to the Island for the Board meeting in March. As Deputy Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Simon Smith leads a group with a focus on transport, infrastructure, cities, natural resources environment and international engagement. His group provides policy advice for the Premier and Cabinet, and assist with reform implementation, coordination and major project facilitation. Trained as an economist, Simon first joined the NSW Public Sector in 1994. His public service roles have focused on the nexus between the economy and the environment, including roles in regulation, policy development and program delivery.

Update on LHI weed eradication program. Sue Bower

The LHIB weed team are currently working in the Southern Mountains under the NSW Environmental Trust grant – “Progressing the Eradication of Weeds from LHI”. The Southern Mountains poses challenges with time and complex access however it is critical that grid search effort is sustained to prevent the build up of weed populations in remote terrain.

The team are currently focussing on weed blocks east of the Mt Gower and Mt Lidgbird saddle. Recent training in remote area access and working at heights safely was provided and the team exposed to some light weight equipment which will help to improve access and safety in remote terrain.

The eradication program has adopted the use of GPS units for recording grid search effort which is essential for monitoring and identifying terrain that requires more technical approaches. This map shows search effort between October 2014 – January 2015. Ongoing investment is vital for the program but also remaining adaptive to new technologies that will help improve efficiencies and success in Winning the War on Weeds.

Beam me up Scotty! The team with Garmin GPSMAP62 units. Anni Blaxland-Fuad from Office Environment & Her-itage provided training in GPS usage and protocols.

Update on Intermediate Hill Sue Bower

Some of the results of year 10 repeat of weed density mapping are proving positive. Results from Intermediate Hill show a significant reduction in the abundance of target woody weeds (Ochna, Cherry Guava and Bitou Bush) and mature Ground Asparagus. The abundance of juvenile Ground Asparagus has increased, which is expected following depletion of mature weed plants.

Bitou bush Ochna Cherry guava

Hospitality by John and Ian

When I was heading back to Lord Howe Island in early January, after spending Christmas with my children at Coffs Harbour, John and Ian hosted a bbq at their Yowie Bay residence. A great venue by the water, and without much notice, it was good that some Friends could attend and enjoy the venue. These included Richard Waterfield, veteran of many weed trips; and Rymill Abell. Rymill continues his involvement with the Friends, by maintaining the excel log of all weeders each year, vital to draw on for statistics and a record of all participants in the program.

Weedhens

We are here at Lord Howe Island to examine a recently discovered species unique to the island. So rare is this species, that it was only discovered in the last eight years. All though the population is growing steadily, recent population surveys place the species on the critically endangered IUCN list and a management plan and a breeding program is recommended. The species is known as the Lord Howe Weedhen. The species migrates from Eastern Australia, particularly the north Sydney area, in groups of 10-25 in late winter. Bag banding has revealed that some Weedhens return to the same roosting site at regular intervals, and others migrating from as far as Victoria and even England.

When on the island the Lord Howe Weedhen spends its morning in flocks in the vicinity of Transit Hill foraging for ground asparagus crowns which it caches in a specially developed pouch. Evolution has enabled the Weedhen to evolve highly specialized digging apparatus to remove the crowns. Females tend to cache seedling asparagus and leave the larger, more mature specimens for the males of the species.

Cached crowns are stored in communal stock piles. However, researchers have not observed the Weedhens actually eating the gathered asparagus. Rather they appear to be an offering or symbiotic relationship with the native occupants of the island. Foraging trips begin and end with a lavish food offering from the inhabitants to the Weedhens. In afternoons, Weedhens can be found following the Patriarchal Weedhen on island discovery including the location of the cheapest alcohol, flora, fauna, geology or casual frolicking in the sunshine. In the evenings Weedhens gather at the sound of chimes to gratefully accept another large and extravagant food offering and waddle back to their roosts for the evening. After a week, the Weedhens have successfully gained enough weight to attempt the strenuous flight back to the mainland. Fiona McCallum.

Rodent Eradication Project community engagement

Continuation of meetings and workshops with the Island community by facilitators Brendan Blakely and Martin Klopper from Elton Consulting has been approved. The consultants have invited the community, via a householder, to self nominate for an engagement/consultation committee.

The purpose of the community group is to openly discuss the implications of different options for the community in dealing with the rodent problem on the island into the future - A) continue some form of rodent control. The current control baiting program was set up primarily to bait the settlement area and Kentia palm seed areas to control rat numbers here, some 10% of the Island. If the community decide on a control program for the rodents then this will have to be revised to look at long-term protection of the island’s biodiversity. This will no doubt include expansion of areas treated, with the cost to be borne by the community; plus how to deal with mice which are immune to warfarin poisons, and at the moment only controlled by use of Talon which has a secondary kill effect for any birds eating a dead mouse.B) a total eradication of rodents as in the Draft Eradication Plan 2009, perhaps with modifications to ally concerns from the community, as long as long as these do not compromise the final result of delivering a bait to every rat and mouse on the island. This has been funded by the Australian and NSW governments to $9 million. If this eradication can be achieved then this will end the need for any rodent baits to be used on the island.The group will invite experts to comment on all questions that arise during the group workshops. All information from the committee meetings will be made available to interested people.

Report on weeding week August 2014

This was a big week, with a strong contingent of very experienced weeders, led by Bill McDonald from Queensland. Along this week were veterans Warren and Carol Bennetts, Rob and Nancy Pallin, Stephen and Jane Gye, Elizabeth Russell, Hilary Walker and Jennifer Peat. Bruce and Bev Bensemann were along for their 12th trip, and this time they brought two grandsons - Callum (who was in his first trip 2014) and brother Russell. Also along were Mark Sutherland, Kylie Goldthorpe, Trevor Woolley, Marion Woolley

Also along for a week of work experience was Lillian Young-Murray from Hervey Bay on work experience in tourism and conservation.

The initial focus with weeds for our group was to get into the Transit Hill climbing asparagus site, and at the same time do clean up work at Edie’s Glen. Quite a few of the group have been participating in restoration of the Edie’s Glen area over many years, and were delighted to see how the native trees are powering on and beginning to close a canopy over the site, to help prevent weedy species invading. The group walked up through the climbing asparagus site, to near the top for follow up work.

LHI Board Flora officer, Sue Bower, had another task to suit a large group - tackling an outbreak of Blue Morning glory Ipomoea indica around a lease of Skyline Drive. This would have been daunting task for just a couple of workers, but with this big group eating away from all edges, a vast impact was made in just one morning. The strategy was for this Friends group to clear as much as possible of this weedy vine, and free up native plants so that Sue can bring in a LHI Board team with spot spraying to knock the new growth of the Morning glory in a few weeks time.

A third task for the group was to continue our attack on Sea spurge along the Lagoon Beach that is getting away along the fore dune.

August weed ecotour (continued)

For afternoon activities the group enjoyed many of the ever-popular walks. Malabar was fantastic, and the group was delighted to see a large “raft” of Flesh footed shearwaters sitting on the ocean off the Admiralty islets, having just returned from their journey across the equator to the Sea of Japan.

Another trek was along the Muttonbird Point track to inspect the work carried out by LHI Board staff under funds from the Friends of LHI. This was to spray the dense infestations of Broad-leafed paspalum that had developed with the closure of the track and no foot traffic to trample seedlings. The group was impressed by the work that had been carried out.

On our North Bay day, the skies looked threatening, but didn’t deter the group from heading off in the morning with Peter Busteed on Islander Cruises boat for the day. We walked to the Herring Pools, and jumped in to refresh. After lunch there was a bit of weeding to be done - cutting and poisoning the Formosa lily on the dune.

On our walk to Little Island, being August, the Providence petrel chicks were large, fat and fluffy - one of Warren Bennett’s favourite parts of a visit to the Island is to see these birds. Bruce took Callum and Russell up Mount Gower and they all enjoyed that day.

On Saturday the low tide allowed a nice reef walk at Ned’s Beach, discovering the wonderful creatures that inhabit this area- sea cucumbers, starfish, urchins, snails, crabs etc.

On Saturday, the group was invited down to a reception at Government House. Penny Holloway has been in the top job as CEO of the LHI Board for nearly a year, and has watched with interest the Friends groups coming and going through 2014 and has been very impressed with the dedication and results of the group with weed eradication. So Penny and partner Jean hosted a small drinks and nibbles event at government House for the group as an expression of thanks .

Friends November tour

There was a request from a group of the Friends to have a Nature Tour week in November, so as to experience the warmer weather, the height of seabird breeding and longer days, to enable a slow climb to the summit of Mount Gower. Participants: Robert Pallin, Nancy Pallin, Jane Gye, Stephen Gye, Ian Sinclair, John PemblePatricia Evans, Anne Millard, Stephen Ranft, Jeannie Davidson, Gwenda Lister, Lee Courtwood, Annie Hawker, Vivienne Stewart, Sue Smith.

This was held November 15 to 22. Unfortunately I was off on the island a sojourn at Prince of Wales hospital the week before, and was not able to lead the group. However, as most this group had been to the Island on many weeding trips they decided to go ahead and do the week. With the help of Friends President Chris Murray and residents Helen Tiffen, Sue Bower, Hank Bower and Caitlin Woods, the itinerary was full and all had a very enjoyable week. John Pemble and Rob Pallin coordinated the evening meal itinerary, and the group sampled all the best restaurants and even had a gourmet bbq on the beach prepared and cooked by Anchorage Head chef David Chlumsky.

Sue Bower escorted the group on the Mount Gower climb, and 13 of the 14 of the party made it to the top and back safely; a great day for all. Caitlin Woods is a Marine Biology graduate who has taken year off to live on the island and work at Capella, as way to enjoy experiencing the island’s natural history. All the group was captivated by Caitlin’s enthusiasm for the intertidal world on a guided walk along the Middle Beach rock platform.

Helen Tiffen escorted the group to one if her favourite places on the island – the South Reef, with a very low tide to visit the Potholes.

Although this week was primarily a nature week, several weeding projects were still carried out with diligence. The group continued maintenance on the Edie’s Glen site; continued Friends commitment to removing Sea spurge form the Lagoon Dune, Formosa lily from North Beach dune, Erhata from many locations along walking tracks. A total of 102 hours was contributed.

Monday

“In the afternoon Helen Tiffin led us on a reef walk on the South Reef. It was a very low tide so we were able to walk out to the Potholes while Helen explained the algae, coral and other marine life along the way, The Potholes are long and narrow and quite deep near the edge of the reef, a wonderful, colourful underwater world. John, Ian and Jeannie could not resist the tempting pools and jumped in for a swim, the rest of us marvelled at the myriad of sea hares.”

Sunday

“After lunch we headed to Middle Beach on low tide where we were lucky enough to have Caitlin who is a marine biologist. She kept us interested and well informed with her enthusiasm and knowledge. (She has done her honours on Intertidal Biodiversity). We saw lots of sea hares, urchins, algae and a myriad of creatures. Caitlin was terrific!”

Friday Mount Gower Day

“Well it was Mt Gower Day. 6.15 am bus for some, 3 cycled down (John, Ian and Steve) A very excited group. 6.30 at Little Island track the team set off. It was a stunning day; the rain had stopped overnight and clouds parted for a beautiful walk all day..…. So many flowers, mountain rose, pumpkin tree, and many others unknown to most, but enjoyed anyway. Woodhens joined us on the way up and on the summit……. We all made it to the top. Some with a few bumps and scratches, but no pain was felt over the joy of making it to the top. The moss forest ferns and other plants were beautiful with all the rain in the previous days.”

“A first ? Maybe? happened also at the lunch spot lookng over the island. Ian proposed to John! It was accepted and announced to all by John very soon after.”

Sea Spurge in Tasmania - Madeline Watts

The Watts family, Chris, Christine, Madeline, Jaklan and Talsy came on a weeding tour in July 2012. An expensive holiday for a family, but this is what they do - every few years go on a volunteer holiday to contribute to the environment or social issues.

From the 2nd – 12th January this year, we were fortunate to be part of a team of volunteers removing the horrible introduced weeds Sea Spurge and Marram Grass from the beautiful and remote West Coast of Tasmania. Thrilled that our applications were successful, we were allocated to sector 3, which involved a 12 day hike with 11 people from Birthday Creek travelling north to Sloop Point, then walking across the peninsula to the Butt of Liberty for extraction by boat. Inserted by Helicopter to Birthday Bay, (which was so incredibly fantastic, seeing Macquarie Harbour and the West Coast from air!), we worked progressively up the coast, base camping for several nights at heavily infested sites.

For those who are unaware, Sea Spurge is a coastal weed, that was introduced from Europe accidentally (thought to have probably come in with ship), which is progressively taking over sand dunes along the West Coast of Tasmania (along with many other places). Mostly involving pulling seedlings, the weeding required gloves due to the toxic (and carcinogenic) milky sap that the plant produces as a protective mechanism in response to herbivory. Marram Grass was introduced from Europe deliberately to stabilize the sand dunes, but in many cases is destabilizing dunes and is posing a threat to nature conservation values and geomorphological processes.

The weather treated us kindly, with only a total of 4 rainy days for the trip, which is not bad for this region! In fact, sunburn was of far greater concern than keeping warm. Being on this coastline was a privilege, however the quantities of rubbish washed up on the beach was quite sad, with everything from fishing nets, plastic drinking bottles, craynets, and even a fully sealed bottle of Japanese Whisky.

This was my longest hike, and whilst we did have a food drop half way through, I was quite excited by the prospect of a big lunch our extraction day! This was such an incredible trip, we are grateful to WILDCARE for the opportunity, and can highly recommend this experience.

Chris and Hagan looking north to Sloop Point on day 8 Madeline and dad Chris Watts

Sea spurge on LHI

Pallid cuckoo

On the November 2014 Friends tour, Trish Evans and Anne Millard spotted a juvenile Pallid cuckoo in a tree at the Old Settlement paddock. This was only the second record on the Island of this bird - the other was in 1887 by Robert Etheridge with the Australian Museum Expedition. Well done girls.

Friends of Lord Howe Island Newsletter compiled by Ian Hutton PO Box 157 Lord Howe Island NSW 2898.Email ian@ianhuttontours.com

Costs for weed trips 2015

A deposit of $200 is required at the time of booking. Contact Oxley Travel on telephone 1800 671 546 or by email at holidays@oxleytravel.com.au for details of payment by cheque, credit card or direct deposit.

27 June – 4 JulySomerset ApartmentsEX SYDNEY ONLYStudio Unit (1 only) – Sole use - $2469 per person1 Bedroom Standard Apartment – Sole Use - $2569 per person1 Bedroom Standard Apartment – Twin Share - $2139 per person

26 July – 2 AugustLeanda Lei ApartmentsEX SYDNEYStudio Unit – Twin Share - $2249 per per-son EX BRISBANEStudio Unit – Twin Share - $2329 per per-son 30 August – 6 SeptemberLeanda Lei ApartmentsEX SYDNEY ONLYStudio Unit – Twin Share - $2359 per pers

Unusual bird sightings August to December 2014

South Island Pied Oyster catcher - again.

During Birdweek in November 2014 one of these birds turned up at the airport swamp. I put a photo up on facebook and herpetologist and Director of Australian Reptile Park John Weigel saw this. John was in a year of attempting to break his previous record of the most birds seen in Australia in one year (745 birds in 2012). John booked a flight in on Saturday 8th at 10 am and out the same day 4.00pm. Unfortunately the bird could not be found- but John did get a sighting of one at Coffs Harbour and did break his record.

Other birds sighted during the November Birdweek included Pectoral sandpiper (below) and Red knot (bottom)