Page 9 - Southwell School_The Chronicle July 2020

PREDATOR-FREE
TSAVING THE SOUTHWELL BUSH
he Southwell Bush was registered as a place of research on the treatment of pests. Two of the boys made ‘natural beauty’ in the Hamilton Scheme in 1975 four tracking tunnels that enabled them to identify the and is a rare remnant of the vast kahikatea forests pests, by analysing the footprints made. When attracted
that once covered the Claudelands area. The School sees itself as the custodian of this treasure and has taken steps to remediate damage and begin a process of restoration with a goal to increase the biodiversity of this ecosystem. Native species in the 1.04 ha bush currently include kahikatea, rimu, totara, manuka and ponga. It has resident moreporks, fantails, kingfishers and tui. The bush is fenced off to allow regrowth, but visitors can sense the wonder of the old forest as they walk along the boardwalk to access the playing fields.
Term 1, 2020 saw the inception of the ‘Predator Free Southwell Group’. These enthusiastic students meet weekly with Year 8 teacher Kerrie Martin and Janine Speedy to discuss, plan and implement ideas as to how to reduce the bush of predators and create the ideal habitat so that birds and native insects have an excellent chance of establishing and thriving.
After learning how to walk through the bush without causing further damage to the young trees and undergrowth, the students commenced their own
by food placed in the tunnels the pests walked through food colouring and sealed their fate by leaving footprints behind on paper as evidence!
These tunnels have been monitored weekly, with traps numbered and findings collated and dated. A visit from Karen Barlow from Predator Free Hamilton confirmed the results with the conclusion being that rats and hedgehogs are now our main culprits with the possum population under control. The next phase being to trap and eradicate these pests then introduce weta and skink houses. Karen was so impressed with the student’s discussion and knowledge and is excited to make a return visit to see how successful they are.
Students monitoring the tracking tunnels in the School bush.
Above examples of predator ink footprints taken from tracking tunnels.