Newsletter #22

ello all,

While winter might be quiet on the rivers, much has been going on behind the scenes in regards to the Braided Rivers Partnership Project, which I will report on at the Annual General Meeting 03 September. The Flock is also gaining momentum, with schools and Brownies making birds and using the online teaching resources. Community committees and local councils have given permission for The Flock to appear in public parks and reserves around Canterbury, and Christchurch International Airport will display The Flock in a prominent location inside the terminal. The Flock will also feature in Conservation Week activities 10-18 September. As word of The Flock spreads, so too does curiosity and with that, a desire to make a difference. I would encourage you to spread the word (link to the flyer) because this is a project that literally everyone of all ages can join. And if you have any spare plywood lying around and can spare the time to cut out a few birds for distribution, please let me know. The more the better!

Flock activities coming up in the next few weeks:

• Friday 12 August the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group are holding a \’colour your bird\’ day at the DOC office, 32 River Road, Rangiora
• Sunday 14 August the Oxford Farmer\’s Market in Main Street, Oxford, will have a stand where members of the public can create a member of The Flock

Cheers,

Sonny Whitelaw,

BRaid Manager (manager@braid.org.nz)

The Waimakariri River Regional Park 2015-2016 black-billed gull breeding season report is now available courtesy of Keystone Ecology and ECan 2Mb

Help is on the way for dwindling population of black-fronted terns

Feral cats like hunting near recently burned vegetation

400-page report on submissions presented to Lower Waitaki zone committee – based on submissions to proposed changes to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan, (Plan Change 5).

Also from the Lower Waitaki: \’Rule by statute undermining public voice\’

And on the same topic of minimum flows: Fish Need Higher River Flows (Cawthron Institute Study)

Growing Voices – Let’s talk Aoraki! Friday 5 and 19 August: Young people aged 15-25 are invited to join workshops in Canterbury and contribute to the Aoraki Management Plan.

Thanks to those who have contributed to this newsletter. Please keep news items coming. BRaid\’s next meeting will be our AGM: Friday 3.00pm-3.30pm 02 September at Ngai Mahi Road. The General Meeting will follow at 4.30-5.30pm.

Membership: If you are not already a member of BRaid, you can join as a General, Casual, or Representative member. General Membership is a modest $20/annum, giving you voting rights and the opportunity to have a say in BRaid\’s activities. Membership fees are due for 2015/2016 at the AGM.

The 2016 Upper Waimakariri Bird Survey will be on Sunday 16 to Thursday 20 October. Please let us know if you would like to participate.