Page 23 - 2008 NZ Subantarctic Islands

that have become the last bastions for so many of the

beleaguered NZ bird species. These bits of land and some of the
more pristine of the mainland native forest stands are managed

and monitored by DOC. Many of the birds were surviving only in
such small areas after having gone extinct on the mainland. Now

these preserves are the nursery for these birds who nest here but
whose offspring are often moved to other safe places once DOC
as rendered them predator-free. Some of the islands can be

visited under strict guidelines; others are restricted and only DOC
scientists and workers may visit them. Some of the mainland

forests are handled the same way.

Jacob’s Bay

We were privileged to visit three sites in this Park. We took a long
and very wet walk just above the coast at Jacob’s Bay. This area is

not pristine nor is it predator-free. However, DOC is working in
the area to protect the native trees and plants with the hope that

birds and insects will return as their native habitat regenerates.
Efforts are also being directed towards controlling the predators.

The brushtail possum is the most destructive pest here. There is
no real promise of a completely pest-free environment in this

place since the area is much too expansive to use fencing such as
that employed in Karori. So the focus here is the plants, but even
some of them can be harmed or killed by exotic insects and

mammals.

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