We need you! Together we can save the river birds

It’s crunch time. Can our small team continue to help braided river birds breed successfully, steering them off the path to extinction?

The answer? No. Without significant funding from you.

Your tax deductible donations will make a difference.

Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group Incorporated 02 0876 0001278 000.

What does the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group need to keep it on track? Funding for a full-time, on-river ranger.

When: Urgently. Now.

Why: For 25 years one volunteer has driven work on the river. Then in the past 7 years another volunteer, a geologist, has worked 40 to 50 hours a week on the river and spent endless hours at his computer. The result is a mountain of scientific data and analysis. The data allows us to work on solutions. We do not just blindly trap and hope.

So, this summer we took further action. With help from the Rata Foundation and the Environment Canterbury Waitaha Action to Impact Fund we were able to employ a temporary ranger. This has proven to be a success. an important next step for our birds. a success. We need this to continue long term.

Of course, each season may throw up new obstacles. This year for the first time a Little Owl was captured on camera raiding nests and hedgehogs came near nests in numbers we haven’t recently encountered.

Why support this work on a small braided river?

The Ashley Rakahuri project is a model of what can be achieved on all braided rivers, big and small.

Recently we counted 1700 birds over 19 kilometres of the Ashley Rakahuri River. The river itself is a wonderland, and only an arm’s reach from Rangiora.

At the mouth is Te Aka Aka, the Waikuku estuary, an important feeding ground for migrating birds, including the kuaka/bar-tailed godwit.

For detailed information see our latest news.

Ngutupare / wrybill

Tarapirohe / black-fronted tern chick

Tarāpuka / black-billed gull chick

Why help braided river birds?

The path to extinction is crowded with many New Zealand birds.

Our tarapirohe/black-fronted tern is nationally endangered. The ngutupare/wrybill nest only on our South Island braided rivers. They can’t be saved by relocation to a predator-free island. We have a spotlight on them on the river.

We also focus on the poaka/pied stilt and three endangered species:t ō rea /pied oystercatcher, pohowera/banded dotterel, and tarāpuka/black-billed gull.

The work for the birds encompasses everything from predator trapping to nest monitoring and habitat restoration, including weed clearing.

It’s a very big job.

We work closely with Environment Canterbury and DOC in the field to ensure our work is up to scratch, and also work with gravel extraction companies.

Let’s work together to create a haven for endangered river birds

We need to raise funds to make the bird life on our home river and estuary something for the Waimakariri District and the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand to be proud of. It should be possible to make the highly accessible 19km reach of the Ashley-Rakahuri a haven for the braided river birds.

We cannot rely on volunteers or the various funds to provide enough money to pay an employee on a long-term basis.

Yes, your donation can save endangered birds

Please email secretaryarrg@gmail.com for your donation tax credit receipt.

Or contact our chair Sue Mardon ph: 0277806407.

The Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group Inc. is a charitable entity, Registration No. CC28335.

Donations may be made citing our NZ Business Number 9429043055784.