What a Great Shot!
On 7 May Mark Samson captured this fantastic shot during the annual flight to update our photographic archives.
In the left foreground the Ohinemuri River is meandering its way towards Gilmour Lake, flanked by thriving riparian plantings. In the right foreground, at the end of Clarke Street, a road leads to the Black Hill motocross track.
A network of walkways criss crosses this scene. To the left the Coffeys and Riverbank Terrace Walkways connect with the Mill Stream Walkway on the right beside Union Hill. (For further information about these walkways, check out the web site www.waihiwalkways.org.nz). These link up with the track that follows the Ohinemuri River upstream through the Ngati Koi Reserve up to the top of Black Hill.
The town of Waihi is spread across the background, with the Cornish Pumphouse peeping up at the centre back.
A selection of the aerial photographs taken during the May 7 2008 flight will be displayed in the window of the Waihi Leader office in Seddon Street for a limited time from May 26.
If you would like to purchase a reprint of any of the photographs please contact communication officer Linda Willoughby on 07 863 9819. Information about prices for reprints will be included in the display. The cost will incorporate a donation to Vision Waihi Trust.
Dabchicks, Dotterels and Ducks
All year round a variety of bird species frequent the Waihi Gold tailings storage facilities. Species observed are black swans, pied shags, pied stilts, plovers, silver eyes, skylarks, sparrows, swallows, yellowhammers, goldfinches, seagulls, harrier hawks, herons and a range of duck species - including paradise ducks. Also observed are the more uncommon protected species - dabchicks and dotterels.
The New Zealand Dabchick (Weweia), a member of the grebe family, is found only in New Zealand and is fully protected. Their number is estimated to be only about 1700 and they are known to breed in coastal areas near Auckland, Northland, Wanganui and Manawatu and inland around Rotorua and Taupo. They feed mostly on aquatic or underwater insects.
Dabchicks are rarely seen in flight. If disturbed, they tend to dive underwater. This habit is an advantage to them in duck shooting season. Their legs are positioned well back on their bodies, providing powerful propulsion on and under water but rendering them quite clumsy on dry land.
The New Zealand Dotterel (Tuturiwhatu) is another protected native bird species that spends part of its year at the tailings storage area. They have been seen in pairs inspecting the site around June and return in late November to nest. There were only about 1500 birds in New Zealand in 2004, but this number is increasing. They typically inhabit coastal areas in Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty and the mine site is the only known inland nesting site in New Zealand.
Newmont Waihi Gold formed a partnership with the Department of Conservation in 1995 to assist the survival of the NZ Dotterel population in the Coromandel Peninsula. The ranger in charge of the Coromandel NZ DotterelWatch Programme reports that the last three seasons have been successful, with almost 300 chicks fledged. However, many eggs are destroyed each year by predators and strong sea swells.
Ducks of several varieties flock to Waihi Gold's tailings storage area to holiday at this time of the year. They are set to foil the attempts of hunters during the duck shooting season. Around 600 ducks have been counted on any day during this season.
A regular wildlife monitoring programme for all the visiting bird species is maintained on site. Observations will provide valuable information on habitats, behaviour and conditions and will assist with decisions on final plantings to attract bird life once the site is rehabilitated.
