Blacks Conservation
Kaipupu Point
A sanctuary for endangered native birds and other flora and fauna, is taking shape on Picton's doorstep.
The creation of a sanctuary, Kaipupu Point Sounds Wildlife Sanctuary, was initiated by the Kaipupu Point Mainland Island Society Incorporated in 2005. The Kaipupu Sanctuary is located on Kaipupu Point, between Picton Harbour and Shakespeare Bay, in the Marlborough Sounds. CLICK HERE for more
Yellowhead (Mohua) Recovery Programme
Supporting the Yellowhead (Mohua) recovery programme
In conjunction with the Department of Conservation, Blacks Fasteners are supporting the relocation of a New Zealand native bird species onto a unique island sanctuary in the Marlborough Sounds.
The mohua (Mohoua ochrocephala) or Yellowhead is a small, insect-eating forest bird once common in the South Island, but now no longer found on the mainland north of Canterbury. A beautiful splash of bright yellow covers its head and breast while the rest of the body is brown with varying tinges of yellow and olive. The female is slightly less brightly coloured than the male.
In the 1800s, the mohua was one of the most abundant and conspicuous of our forest birds, but now it is the most threatened of its genus, Mohoua, which also includes the whitehead and the brown creeper. Unlike the other two members of its genus, the Yellowhead has disappeared from large, relatively unchanged forests and is continuing to decline through predation by rats and stoats.
In efforts to bring the species back from the brink, the Department of Conservation is undertaking a transfer programme to relocate Yellowheads from a selected South Island forest (at this stage, The Catlins is most likely) onto Blumine Island, a unique, predator-free sanctuary that is also open to the public and easily accessed with a short boat trip from Picton.
Tui, bellbirds, fantails and kereru are among the native species currently found on Blumine Island, as well as a unique giant snail species, Powelliphanta hochstetteri bicolour. Removal of predators by the Department of Conservation over the years has paved the way for more native wildlife to be located there. The island's popularity as a visitor destination is expected to increase over time as conservation efforts such as this increase and bush and wildlife regenerates.
Blumine Island also has historical interest as a former World War Two military base with gun emplacements and other installations from that time, popular attractions for visitors.
Blacks Fasteners sponsorship will enable a single transfer of the 40 birds needed to successfully establish a new healthy, genetically diverse population on Blumine Island.
At this stage, the transfer would be timed for spring 2011.
Blacks Fasteners are proud to be a part of the Department of Conservation's Yellowhead species-relocation programme. We encourage our business partners and suppliers to join with us and support our on-going conservation efforts to protect and preserve New Zealand's natural heritage.
