Hi  Nick here.  Hope everyone is safe and sound after the shakes we are having. My dog picks up on the rumbles first so he has become our advance guard.

Right from the launch of Enhancing the Halo, Trelissick Park group have been fabulous at keeping us up to date with the work that they do. This time they mention the adventures of Mr Fergus Bramley. This is a man who seems to adore heavy downpours. His Facebook page is a must and you can click the link in this update blog from the group. Fantastic pictures. Here’s their latest piece.

Although Trelissick Park is in the Kaiwharawhara and Korimako valleys, there was no escape from the southerly onslaught of 20 June – leaves and branches stripped and trees fallen.  However, the surfeit of rain was a boon to a young kayaker and his father – see airwaterearthnz.blogspot.co.nz or photos on our Facebook page.

Our traps have caught nothing since early April.  But night video monitoring of some bait stations indicates that rats are still active.  The study of rat behaviour in the Park by Victoria University student Tracy Poole is now complete.  This found that some rats are hoarding the Brodifocoum pellets from the bait stations.  To reduce the impact of the pellets out in the environment, the Regional and City Councils are now proposing to try wax block bait in some bait stations.  This cannot be removed by the rats.

Planting continues throughout the Park – the total for the year now stands at nearly 1,250.

Trelissick Park Group have updated the Park’s Five Year Plan and made submissions on Wellington City Council’s Annual Plan and “Our Capital Spaces” plan.  For these we emphasised the need for adequate funding for the parks and reserves that make Wellington so unique.  Details are on our website on the “Current Issues” page.