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Auckland Shell Club |
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Auckland Shell Club |
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July Meeting
Heather reported on the Yeppoon and Townsville Shell Shows at which she again had many successes, including the coveted COA (Conchologists Of America) Award.
While in Australia she and Jenny Raven also took advantage of extreme low tides to collect on various northeast coast beaches.
Margaret told us about a recent trip with Bruce Hayward to Bucklands Beach. There they inspected an unusual conglomerate reef near mid-tide level at the northern end of the beach. Known as "beach rock", it is the solidified remains of an ancient beach, composed of hardened sand, pebbles, and shells such as Tucetona laticostata, Oxyperas elongata, Maoricolpus roseus, Ruditapes largillierti, and Perna canaliculus.
Subsequent dating of the shells indicates that they are about 5000 years old. Many of those species no longer live on that beach, probably because of environmental changes brought about by the appearance of Rangitoto Island about 600 years ago.
Heathers twin sister, Alison Stanes, then gave us a very interesting presentation on Tawharanui Regional Park and her involvement with the Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society.
Tawharanui Regional Park is located on a remote peninsula about 90 km north of Auckland. It includes 588 hectares of native coastal forest, regenerating wetlands, rolling pastures, shingled bays, white sand beaches, and sand dunes.
The park is New Zealand's first "integrated open sanctuary" which combines public recreation, farming (sheep and cattle), and conservation of native species.
Protected by a predator proof fence, the sanctuary is now a breeding ground for native birds such as dotterel, kiwi, pateke ducks, kakariki parrots, bellbirds, robins, kaka, and whiteheads.
The coastal forest features kauri and rimu on the ridges, puriri, taraire, tawa, rewarewa and nikau in the valleys, and pohutukawa on the coastal cliffs.
A large campground caters for both tents and campervans and there is a network of tracks throughout the park.
A Marine Park covers much of the northern coastline and extends half a nautical mile seaward. This is a 'no take' zone and all life there is protected.
The Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society (TOSSI) was formed 10 years ago to help the Auckland Regional Council establish and maintain an open sanctuary within the Regional Park.
TOSSI projects include forest and wetland restoration, re-introduction of threatened species, monitoring animals and plants, pest control, a plant nursery, the development of walking tracks, community education, and also biennial "Art in the Woolshed" exhibitions.
In 2004 TOSSI helped fund a 2.5 km predator-proof fence across the peninsula to protect native animals from pests such as rats, stoats, and possums.
While this fence has made a huge difference, pest control is still an ongoing problem. Birds such a black-backed gulls and petrels cannot be stopped by it, and pests can occasionally go around it on the beaches. Invasive plants are also very difficult to control or eradicate.
Tinkering with ecology can have unexpected results, and it was interesting to learn that some of the protected species have subsequently become troublesome predators themselves.
TOSSI is a community-based organisation which welcomes new volunteers. They would appreciate help with a variety of tasks, and on the first Sunday of every month they run activity days which anyone is welcome to attend.
For more information, or to see some of Alison's excellent photos, go to http://www.tossi.org.nz.
New Zealand Shell Show 2013
This will again be held at Te Tuhi Center for the Arts in Pakuranga, Auckland, on 3rd - 5th May 2013.
A schedule will be sent to all members in early November, if not sooner.
Peter Poortman (petermwp@gmail.com or 09 817 1397) is the contact for this.
Shell Auction - Albany Hall, Saturday 27th October 2012
The auction schedule will be sent out with the September newsletter.
Sellers please get your lot list to Peter Poortman (petermwp@gmail.com) by mid August.
Note that the auction is almost full, so please register your interest with Peter ASAP if you would like to enter any lots.
Next Meeting - Tuesday 14th of August
Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Avenue, Epsom at 7:30pm (doors open 7pm).
This will be a Cypraeidae evening with four speakers ...
. Mike Barlow, on Niue Island Cypraeidae
. Mike Bressolles, on New Caledonia Cypraeidae
. Heather, on worldwide Cypraeidae
. Doug, on worldwide Cypraeidae
All four will have a tray of Cypraeidae Shells to view and all will speak about their collection of shells.
If you have any Cypraeidae Shells to share please bring them along.
Poirieria Magazine
We welcome contributions to our club magazine "Poirieria".
Anything related to shells or collecting would be greatly appreciated - Eg. shelling trips/finds, personal observations/tips, scientific research, historic anecdotes, a notable washup, etc.
Please email articles to Peter Poortman at petermwp@gmail.com, or post to 26 Pendlebury Street, Green Bay, Auckland 0604.
Club Library
We have an extensive collection of books, magazines, and scientific publications available, as well as a biological microscope.
Items of Interest
. As part of a wider study of the genus Cominella, Hamish Spencer requires some ethanol preserved live taken specimens of the Norfolk Island endemic species Cominella norfolkensis. If you are going to Norfolk Island and would be willing to collect these whelks, please contact Hamish at h.spencer@otago.ac.nz. He will send you the details, including collection materials and the necessary documentation.
. Items of interest for the monthly newsletter are always welcome - email to petermwp@gmail.com, or post to Peter Poortman, 26 Pendlebury Street, Green Bay, Auckland 0604.
