EVIDENCE OF ANDREW DONALD GRANT FOR DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CONSERVATION Dated 12 October 2012

Transcription

1 IN THE MATTER OF The Resource Management Act 1991 AND IN THE MATTER OF A submission on the Proposed Hurunui Waiau Water Plan BETWEEN DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CONSERVATION AND CANTERBURY REGIONAL COUNCIL EVIDENCE OF ANDREW DONALD GRANT FOR DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CONSERVATION Dated 12 October 2012 Director General of Conservation Private Bag 4715 Christchurch Mail Centre CHRISTCHURCH 8140 Telephone: (03) Counsel: Pene Williams/Victoria Tumai

2 STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE OF ANDREW DONALD GRANT INTRODUCTION Qualifications and Experience 1. My full name is Andrew Donald Grant 2. I am employed as a Technical Advisor (Ecosystems) with the Department of Conservation Ecosystems and Species Unit. 3. I have a BSc in Zoology from Otago University (1978) and a post graduate Diploma in Wildlife Management from Otago University (1980) 4. I have worked with wildlife and conservation for over 30 years, initially with the NZ Wildlife Service Research Section then, with the Department of Conservation. My experience includes: managing a waterfowl research field station; all aspects of endangered species management from recovery planning through to running field programme (direct involvement with at least 10 critically endangered bird species and their recovery programmes); extensive field experience in wildlife management, monitoring and survey in a wide variety of locations from remote islands to large mainland habitats; producing recovery plans, operational plans, strategies and other similar planning documents for species and ecosystem management; coordinating and managing conservancy science planning and implementation, and; national development of best practice, audit and performance measurement. 5. I am familiar with braided rivers and braided river bird communities and have been involved with planning, improving and undertaking river bird surveys. I currently coordinate all braided river bird survey data for Canterbury for the wide range of organisations and private groups which undertake braided river bird surveys. I have been involved with improving data and data consistency for braided river bird surveys undertaken by organisations and private groups. DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

3 I have been the Kaki/Black Stilt Recovery group leader for about 10 years and am on the national Braided River Technical Advisory Group. 6. I was involved with the rediscovery, in 1995, and subsequent management of orange fronted parakeet in the South Branch of the Hurunui. I have been the Orange fronted Parakeet Recovery Group leader since I was involved in the first kiwi survey in the South Branch of the Hurunui in 1993 and following on from this was instrumental in the setting up of the Hurunui Mainland Island and developing the management and research programme this encompassed in the rth and South Branches of the Hurunui. 8. I have read the Environment Court s Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses, and I agree to comply with it. My qualifications as an expert are set out above. I confirm that the issues addressed in this brief of evidence are within my area of expertise. 9. I was not involved in the Department s original submission on the Proposed Hurunui Waiau River Regional Plan 10. I have not omitted to consider material facts known to me that might alter or detract from the opinions expressed. Scope of Evidence 11. My evidence will deal with the following: (i) (ii) (iii) Bird species present in the Hurunui and Waiau River catchments and riverbeds. The Conservation status of birds which rely on the Hurunui and Waiau River catchments. Habitat requirements for wetland birds in the Hurunui and Waiau catchments DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

4 (iv) Present survey information for the Hurunui and Wairau rivers and give some indication of the importance of these rivers to braided river bird species. Birds of the Hurunui River Catchment Forest Birds 12. The South Branch of the Hurunui is an exceptional example of a dry eastern beech forest ecosystem with an almost intact assemblage of beech forest bird species. The area is only one of three remaining mainland sites where the critically endangered orange fronted parakeet still persist (Hawdon and Poulter valleys are the other two). 13. The rth Branch of the Hurunui has a similar suite of beech forest species with the exception of orange fronted parakeet and möhua. 14. The rth Branch and South Branch support the largest population of the Southern Alps race of the great spotted kiwi (DOC survey and research results from ). Three races of great spotted kiwi are recognised rth West Nelson race, Papäroa race and Southern Alps race. 15. The rth and South Branches of the Hurunui were considered important enough to establish the Hurunui Mainland Island restoration programme there from , then as an Operation Ark site, and now, one of 12 sites under the South Island Predator Response Group (SIPRAG). The mainland island concept is where important sites representing key intact habitats are intensively managed and incorporate significant research components these programme aim to establish how to manage threats at an ecosystem wide scale. Operation Ark was a Labour Government initiative set up in 2004 to protect 11 sites containing key South Island beech forest species from predator eruptions during beech masting years. SIPRAG is the current equivalent of Operation Ark. 16. Twenty one indigenous beech forest bird species have been recorded in the Hurunui forests, of these, nine are threatened, Table 1. DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

5 Table 1. Beech forest bird species found in the Hurunui catchment and their threat status (DOC records and direct observation) Threat Category** Qualifiers* Common name Scientific name Nationally Critical CD EF Inc RR Orange fronted parakeet Cyanoramphus malherbi Nationally Endangered CD PD RF South Island kaka Nestor meridionalis Nationally Vulnerable CD Sp Blue duck, whio Hymenolaimus malachorhynchos De OL RF Great spotted kiwi Apteryx haastii DP St New Zealand falcon Falco novaeseelandiae DP Rock wren Xenicus gilviventris CD Yellowhead Mohoua ochrocephala Naturally Uncommon Kea Nestor notabilis DP Long tailed cuckoo Eudynamys taitensis t Threatened Bellbird Anthornis melanura Brown creeper Mohoua novaeseelandiae Grey warbler Gerygone igata Morepork Ninox novaeseelandiae CD Inc New Zealand pigeon, kereru Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae DP Shining cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus SO Silvereye Zosterops lateralis South Island fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa South Island robin Petroica australis australis OL St Tui Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae Yellow breasted tomtit Petroica macrocephala EF Yellow crowned parakeet Cyanoramphus auriceps * CD = Conservation Dependant, DP=Data Poor, De=Designated, EW=Extinct in the Wild, EF=Extreme Fluctuations, Inc=Increasing, IE=Island Endemic, OL=One Location, PD=Partial Decline, RR=Range Restricted, RF=Recruitment Failure, SO=Secure Overseas, Sp=Sparse, St=Stable, TO=Threatened Overseas (TO **New Zealand Threat classification System (Miskelly et al 2008, Townsend et al 2007). A brief overview of the New Zealand Threat Ranking Classification System is provided in Appendix 9. Birds of the Hurunui River Catchment Wetland Birds 17. Thirty three, specialist river and wetland bird species have been recorded on the Hurunui River and its associated wetlands. Of these 33 species, 18 are classified as threatened species, Table 2 DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

6 Table 2. River and wetland birds recorded in the Hurunui catchment Threat category Qualifier* Common name Scientific name Nationally Critical Grey duck Anas superciliosa Nationally Endangered De Black billed gull Larus bulleri DP Black fronted tern Chlidonias albostriatus Nationally Vulnerable RR Banded dotterel Charadrius bicinctus CD Sp Blue duck, whio Hymenolaimus malachorhynchos SO Caspian tern Hydroprogne caspia Pied shag Phalacrocorax varius Red billed gull Larus novaehollandiae Inc SO Southern crested grebe Podiceps cristatus RR Wrybill Anarhynchus frontalis Declining New Zealand pied oystercatcher Haematopus finschi New Zealand pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae SO Pied stilt Himantopus himantopus DP EF Western weka Gallirallus australis DP White fronted tern Sterna striata Recovering Variable oystercatcher Haematopus unicolor Naturally Uncommon SO Sp Black shag Phalacrocorax carbo Inc Little shag Phalacrocorax melanoleucos t Threatened SO Black swan Cygnus atratus Inc SO Grey teal Anas gracilis Inc New Zealand scaup Aythya novaeseelandiae New Zealand shoveler Anas rhynchotis variegata Paradise shelduck Tadorna variegata Inc SO Pukeko Porphyrio melanotus Sacred kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus SO Southern black backed gull Larus dominicanus Spotted shag Stictocarbo punctatus SO Spur winged plover Vanellus miles Swamp harrier Circus approximans SO Welcome swallow Hirundo tahitica SO White faced heron Ardea novaehollandiae Coloniser SO Sp Black fronted dotterel Charadrius melanops Migrant SO Turnstone Arenaria interpres Introduced and Naturalised SO Canada goose Branta canadensis SO Mallard Anas platyrhynchos * CD = Conservation Dependant, DP=Data Poor, De=Designated, EW=Extinct in the Wild, EF=Extreme Fluctuations, Inc=Increasing, IE=Island Endemic, OL=One Location, PD=Partial Decline, RR=Range Restricted, RF=Recruitment Failure, SO=Secure Overseas, Sp=Sparse, St=Stable, TO=Threatened Overseas (TO References: DOC unpublished data and survey information Hughey 2007; Stewart 1933; Westerkov 1971; Sagar & O Donnell 1982; Keeley et al. 1989; O Donnell & West 1991; Adcock 1994; DOC 1996, 2010; Taylor et al. 1998; Daly 2004; Jensen & Snoyink 2005; Langlands 2008, Edgar DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

7 Birds of the Waiau River 17. Twenty nine indigenous river bird species have been recorded in river bird surveys of the Waiau during 1995, 2008, 2009 and Of these, 16 species are classified as threatened, Table 3 Table 3. Indigenous birds recorded in the Waiau River (O Donnell and Moore 1983, Schmechel 2008) Threat category Qualifiers* Common name Scientific name Nationally Critical Grey duck Anas superciliosa Nationally Endangered De Black billed gull Larus bulleri DP Black fronted tern Chlidonias albostriatus Nationally Vulnerable RR Banded dotterel Charadrius bicinctus SO Caspian tern Hydroprogne caspia Pied shag Phalacrocorax varius Red billed gull Larus novaehollandiae RR Wrybill Anarhynchus frontalis Declining New Zealand pied oystercatcher Haematopus finschi New Zealand pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae SO Pied stilt Himantopus himantopus DP White fronted tern Sterna striata Recovering Variable oystercatcher Haematopus unicolor Naturally Uncommon SO Sp Black shag Phalacrocorax carbo Inc RR SOSp Royal spoonbill Platalea regia Inc Little shag Phalacrocorax melanoleucos t Threatened SO Black swan Cygnus atratus Inc SO Grey teal Anas gracilis Inc New Zealand scaup Aythya novaeseelandiae New Zealand shoveler Anas rhynchotis variegata Paradise shelduck Tadorna variegata Inc SO Pukeko Porphyrio melanotus Sacred kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus SO Southern black backed gull Larus dominicanus Spotted shag Stictocarbo punctatus SO Spur winged plover Vanellus miles SO Swamp harrier Circus approximans Inc SO Welcome swallow Hirundo tahitica SO White faced heron Ardea novaehollandiae * CD = Conservation Dependant, DP=Data Poor, De=Designated, EW=Extinct in the Wild, EF=Extreme Fluctuations, Inc=Increasing, IE=Island Endemic, OL=One Location, PD=Partial Decline, RR=Range Restricted, RF=Recruitment Failure, SO=Secure Overseas, Sp=Sparse, St=Stable, TO=Threatened Overseas (TO DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

8 Habitat Requirements for the Birds of the Waiau and Hurunui Rivers 18. Braided rivers and their associated wetland areas provide a range of habitats for bird species (Table 4). This variety of habitat results in diversity and specialisation. The Hurunui and Waiau Rivers provide this variety of habitat and this is reflected in the large number (29) of bird species. The Hurunui is of particular importance as the river is associated with: a large, beech/hardwood forest surrounded lake (Sumner); smaller lakes (Mason, Taylor, Loch Katrine, Marion, Mary, Shepard); a range of wetland types, and; riverine geothermal hydrosystems (thermal hot water springs, seeps and associated ecosystems). 19. Lake Sumner has been recognised as a nationally important wetland (Wetland of Ecological and Representative Importance (WERI)) by Adcock 1994, and as a Site of Special Wildlife Interest (SSWI) by Taylor et al Environment Canterbury s inventory of Canterbury s rivers and lakes identified Lake Sumner as having outstanding natural values (Daly 2004). Other wetlands identified as SSWIs in the Hurunui catchment are Lake Marion (Potential); Loch Katrine (Moderate); Lake Mason (Moderate High); Lake Mary (Moderate); Lake Shepard (Outstanding); Lake Taylor (High), and; Raupo Lagoon (Moderate High). Both the Hurunui River and upper Waiau Rivers are rated in SSWI as High. 20. Braided river bird specialists such as wrybills, black billed gulls, black fronted tern and banded dotterel all require bare gravel beds/islands for breeding (Table 4), from the end of August through until February (Figure 1). Other river bed species also require similar breeding habitat. Bare gravel areas and bare gravel islands in the river beds are critical for braided river specialist for breeding these areas are significantly correlated with river flows. The feeding areas, deep and shallow water areas in the river are critical for feeding for these braided river specialists and are similarly correlated with river flows. 21. My evidence will not deal with specific river flows and how these effect: the presence of islands; wettable useable areas, and; weed and predator presence on riverbeds and there associated impacts on bird species. I have read Dr Ken DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

9 Hughey s section 42A report, dated June 2012 Assessment of effects of different flow regime scenarios on native riverbed nesting birds of the Hurunui and Waiau and I agree generally with Dr Hughey s approach to evaluating the effects of different flow scenarios on bird life. However, there is still considerable uncertainty about the flow requirements of birds on braided rivers and the consequences of reducing flows, so a stronger precautionary approach is needed with regard to impacts on birds for the following reasons: (a) (b) (c) Reducing flows decreases food availability, increases weed encroachment, reduces the volume of food producing habitat, fewer braids and increases access to islands by predators. The consequence is reductions in feeding and breeding habitats leading to increased competition for food and lower productivity and survival of birds. The 2 dimensional modelling used is indicative of habitat use patterns but is very simplistic. Birds use of aquatic habitat for feeding is a multidimensional space relying on complex interactions involving water depth, velocity, substrate size, substrate cover, turbidity, time of year, time of day, and the varying energetic needs of the birds themselves (for example, variations when feeding themselves or their chicks). Each bird species has a different range of habitat preferences on rivers, so it is difficult to generalise what flow requirements suit all species. Species do not use the riverbed at random but each species has a different set of preferences, and these are extremely complex (for example feeding by black fronted terns on the Wairau River; O'Donnell et al., 2006). Flow requirements for black fronted terns are different from wrybills, but requirements of other species such as oystercatchers, shags, banded dotterels, stilts and herons are all different again (e.g., Robertson et al., 1984; Robertson et al., 1983). (d) (e) As a consequence, food production curves may be better indicators of potential impacts of abstraction on food availability. These curves indicate potential reductions in food availability with reductions of flow, although no one knows the true consequence of reducing food availability on productivity and survival of threatened birds. The importance of flood flows for clearing islands of vegetation seem to be well understood but there little understanding of the impact of reducing flow variability on food availability and habitat. DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

10 (e) (f) The impact of increased competition for food when food availability is reduced is also poorly understood. The only study to date (Lalas, 1977) indicated that competition becomes severe in black fronted terns when food availability is reduced. One of the largest threats to breeding birds on braided rivers is predation by introduced mammals. New research by Georgina Pickerell of Otago University indicates a strong influence of flow on the probability of predators being on islands. High flows provide natural predator control and islands with minimum flows of >5 cumecs around them have a significantly lower probability of having predators on them. (Colin O Donnel pers com.) 22. Because we cannot model these complex needs, this means there should be a significant additional buffer on the in stream allocation for birdlife. The evidence seems to suggest that minimum flows should be >40 cumecs. I would also support the use of gaps between allocation blocks to ensure natural freshes and flow variations are maintained to ensure the rivers life supporting capacity is maintained. 23. A general comment I can make in respect to river bird presence and naturalness of a riverbed is that when undertaking surveys it is very evident that braided river specialists are invariable located in clean, open, gravel area on the riverbeds. These open, clean, gravel beds are a result of a river s dynamic flow regime. It is critical for the persistence of these braided river specialists to ensure an appropriate river flow regime is maintained to guarantee continued suitable gravel breeding and feeding areas. DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

11 Table 4: Wetland birds of the Hurunui and their feeding and breeding habitat requirements (adapted from O Donnell 2000) Species Torrent Shallow water Deep water Ponds/lakes/stil l water Swamp Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Grey duck Black billed gull Black fronted tern Banded dotterel Blue Duck Caspian tern Pied shag Red billed gull Southern crested grebe Wrybill Black shag Little shag NZ pied oystercatcher New Zealand pipit Pied stilt Western weka White fronted tern Black swan Grey teal New Zealand scaup Bare gravel beds/islands open water Riparian Estuarine DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

12 Species Torrent Shallow water Deep water Ponds/lakes/stil l water Swamp Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed Breed Feed New Zealand shoveler Paradise shelduck Pukeko Sacred kingfisher Southern black backed gull Spotted shag Spur winged plover Swamp harrier Welcome swallow White faced heron Black fronted dotterel Turnstone Little pied cormorant Variable oystercatcher Canada goose Royal spoonbill Mallard Bare gravel beds/islands open water Riparian Estuarine DOCDM Hurunui evidence/andrew Grant/text/Birds

13 Figure1 : Breeding seasons for river and water body species for the Hurunui and Waiau rivers (O Donnell 2000) Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct v Dec Jan Feb Mar Bare gravel beds/islands Banded dotterel Black billed gull Black fronted tern Canada goose Caspian tern New Zealand pied oystercatcher Pied stilt Southern black backed gull Spur winged plover White fronted tern Wrybill Red billed gull Ponds/lakes/still water Southern crested grebe Torrent Blue Duck River Bird Survey Information 24. Between 1960 and 2011 the Department has recorded in its data base 315 river surveys on 73 different rivers throughout Canterbury. These surveys have been conducted by a wide range of organisations, consultants, volunteer groups and individuals. The surveys have followed a technique outlined in O Donnell and Moore Observers are spaced m across a riverbed and, in a line, move up or down the bed counting any birds flying overhead or encountered. The count results provide a snapshot of the minimum number of birds on a particular stretch of riverbed for that day. Since 2000 the Department has put in place a more structured programme and encouraged other parties to follow this lead. There are two main aims in trying to structure these surveys: (i) Formalise river stretches surveyed to enable better year by year comparisons, and:

14 (ii) Survey rivers on a 3 year cycle and cover a range of rivers classified in four flow categories (mean annual flow) L (low flow) <10m 3 s 1 M (medium flow) 11 29m 3 s 1 H (high flow) m 3 s 1 VH (very high) >100m 3 s 1 Both the Hurunui and Waiau fit within the H (high flow) m 3 s The Hurunui River has been surveyed six times. Data is collected from 10 stretches of the river (this follows sections designated in Hughey 2007, except we have combined his sections 3 and 4 into one section, now section 3). The survey sections used for the Hurunui are: Section 1: Hurunui Mainland Island to Lake Mason outlet (12.6 km) Section 2: Lake Mason outlet to gorge (18.1 km) Section 3: Number 3 Hut to Lake Sumner (20.6 km) Section 4: Lake outlet to Sth Branch confluence (14.6 km) Section 5: Confluence to Maori Gully (4.7 km) Section 6: Maori Gully to Mandamus (19.5 km) Section 7: Mandamus to SH7 (20.4 km) Section 8: SH7 to Lowry (12.1 km) Section 9: Lowry to SH1 (20.1 km) Section 10: SH1 to sea (19 km) Summary data is presented as: Mandamus to State Highway 1 (52.6 km) (combine s.7 s.9) Mandamus to Sea (71.6 km) (combine s.7 s.10) 26. Survey results for each of these sections for each of the years 1978, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are presented in Appendix 1. Summary data for these sections consolidated into Mandamus to State Highway 1, and Mandamus to sea are presented in Appendix 2. Additional summary data on the total numbers of birds counted, number of bird species, and birds per kilometre are presented in Appendix 3.

15 27. The Waiau River has been surveyed four times and follows survey sections used by Schmechel For this evidence I have combined sections so some comparison can be made to the 1975 survey results presented in O Donnell and Moore The surveys sections of the Waiau presented are: Upper Emu Plains (Twin Bridges to Green Rd, S4 & S5: 13.7 km) Lower Emu Plains (Green Rd to Sanderson s Rd, S6 to S8: 15 km) Middle Gorge (Sanderson s Rd to Hematite Stream, S9 &10: 21.6 km) Lower braids around Parnassus / SH1 bridge (S11 to S13: 12.9 km) S14 Lower gorge Spotswood F&G access to river mouth (7 km) River mouth (3.2 km) Summary data is presented as: All section (101 km) Middle section Emu plains (30 km) 29. Survey results for each of these sections are provided in Appendix 4. Summary data for these sections consolidated into Whole river and Middle section Emu Plains in Appendix 5. Additional summary data on the total numbers of birds counted, number of bird species, and birds per kilometre are presented in Appendix To put the Hurunui and Waiau in some sort of perspective with other Canterbury rivers I have provided data on the number of birds per kilometre and species diversity for a number of Canterbury s rivers in Appendix 7, and breeding colonies from a number of Canterbury rivers in Appendix River significance is rated on a number of criteria: how many representative guilds (feeding, breeding, roosting) are present; numbers of threatened species present; proportion of total threatened species population found on the river; threatened species breeding on the river; total numbers of birds on the river; level of endemism of birds using a river, and; habitat size (O Donnell and

16 Moore 1983, O Donnell 2000 and Hughey et al 2009). The significance ratings given to these Hurunui and Waiau Rivers by these authors as follows: Hurunui Waiau O' Donnell and Moore 1983 HIGH HIGH 1978 Hurunui, 1975 Waiau data O'Donnell 2000 HIGH HIGH 1979 Hurunui, 1975 Waiau data Hughey et al 2010 NATIONAL NATIONAL data up to 2008, 2009 wrybill record 32. The original assessment made by O Donnell and Moore 1983, then by O Donnell 2000 was based on a single survey and rated the Hurunui and Waiau as HIGH, subsequent assessment by Hughey et al 2010, using additional survey information, rated the importance of these two rivers as NATIONAL. My contention is that as we gather more information on these rivers the higher their significance will become. 33. The survey information presented supports the previous assessments and adds to the overall understanding of these two rivers. The presented data shows: both rivers have significant numbers of river bird species distributed through all the feeding and breeding guilds identified for these habitats; both rivers have breeding populations of most of the threatened species expected in these ecosystems; both rivers have significant proportions of the specialist braided river bird species, black fronted tern, black billed gulls, wrybills and banded dotterels. Of particular importance is that both rivers support > 5% of the breeding populations of black fronted tern, Table 5; both rivers have very high diversity of bird species, which is similar to the diversity of much larger rivers; both rivers have very large numbers of birds as indicated by the number of birds recorded per km surveyed. These compare favourably with the figures recorded for the much larger rivers. Compared with other much larger rivers both the Hurunui and Waiau support similar numbers of colonies and significantly sized colonies of black billed gull and black fronted tern.

17 The Hurunui and Waiau are the most important rivers in the flow class the department has designated as High flow (30 100m 3 s 1 ) The Waiau is the most northern river where wrybill have been recorded breeding; Wrybills have not been recorded as breeding in the Hurunui until 2008, this may indicate that wrybills have recently colonised (or re colonised this river) and its importance for wrybill breeding may be increasing. Table 5 summary survey data for the primary braided river bird specialists for the Hurunui and Waiau Rivers.. Hurunui River Mandamus to sea (52.6km) Max as % Pop Black fronted tern Black billed gull Banded dotterel Wrybill 2 5 Waiau River Max All sections (101 km) as % Pop Black fronted tern Black billed gull Banded dotterel Wrybill Middle section Emu plains (30 km) Black fronted tern Black billed gull Banded dotterel Wrybill 2 7 3

18 Conclusions 34. The Hurunui is a very special river as it is has one of the widest range of habitats which are least modified and which all support representative range of bird species. other braided river I can think of has within its catchment pristine, naturally forested and vegetated lakes, wetlands and hydrothermal wetlands. 35. I support previous author s rankings of significance for the Hurunui and Waiau as HIGH and of NATIONAL importance. The survey data presented here supports these previous assessments and my contention is that further assessment and future data will most likely improve or at least strengthen these rankings. 36. I generally support Dr Ken Hughey s section 42A report, dated June 2012 Assessment of effects of different flow regime scenarios on native riverbed nesting birds of the Hurunui and Waiau, however, there is still significant uncertainty associated with the models and how different flow regimes will actually affect the foods and feeding requirements of braided river specialists. I would advocate a stronger precautionary approach and recommend significant additional buffers on the in stream allocation for birdlife. Andrew Donald Grant 12 October 2012

19 References Adcock, H.M WERI (Wetlands of Ecological and Representative Importance):The New Zealand wetlands inventory user guide (and database). Department ofconservation, Wellington. 70 p. Daly, A Inventory of instream values for rivers and lakes of Canterbury, New Zealand. Environment Canterbury, Christchurch. 174 p. Edgar, A.T Classified summarised notes tornis 19 (Supplement). 91 p. Edgar, A.T Classified summarised notes. tornis 24(4): Edgar, A.T Classified summarised notes. tornis 24(4): Hughey K.F.D The 2006 birdlife survey of the Hurunui River results and management implications. Unpublished Lincoln University Report, January p. Hughey, K.D.F., O,Donnell C., Schmechel, F., Grant, A.D., Birdlife: Application of the River Significance Assessment Method of the Canterbury Region, Unpublished Report. Lincoln University, Lincoln. Jensen, RA; Snoyink, RJ The distribution and numbers of Australasian crested grebe (kamana) in New Zealand, January tornis 52(1): Keeley, B.R.; O Donnell, CJF.; West, JA Classified summarised notes, 1 July 1987 to 30 June tornis 36(3): Lalas, C Food and feeding behaviour of the black fronted tern, Chlidonias hybrida albostriatus. In: Zoology. Dunedin: Otago. Langlands, P Unpublished lakeshore survey data of birds at Lake Sumner. March Miskelly, C.M.; Dowding, J.E.; Elliot, G.P.; Hitchmough, R.A.; Powlesland, R.G.; Robertson, H.A.; Sagar, P.M.; Schofield, R.P.; Taylor, G.A Conservation status of New Zealand birds, tornis 55(1): O Donnell. C.J.F. and Moore S.M. The Wildlife and Conservation of braided rivers systems in Canterbury. Fauna Survey Unit. 33 Wildlife Service, Wellington. O Donnell, C.J.F.; West, JA Classified summarised notes, South and Chatham Islands 1 July 1989 to 30 June tornis 38(4):

20 O Donnell, C.F.J The significance of river and open water habitats for birds in Canterbury, New Zealand. Environment Canterbury Unpublished Report U00/37. O'Donnell, C. F. J., Sedgeley, J. A. & Westbrooke, I Habitat use by blackfronted terns (Sterna albostriata) on the Wairau River, New Zealand: Preliminary results May Christchurch: Department of Conservation. Robertson, C. J. R., Law, E., de Hamel, R. J. B. & Courtney, S. P Habitat Requirements of Wetland Birds in the Lower Waitaki River Catchment, New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Wildlife Service, Department of Internal Affairs. Robertson, C. J. R., O'Donnell, C. F. J. & Overmars, F. B Habitat Requirements of Wetland Birds in the Ahuriri River Catchment New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Wildlife Service, Department of Internal Affairs. Sagar, PM; O Donnell, CJF Seasonal movements and population of the Southern Crested Grebe in Canterbury. tornis 29(2): Scmechel, F Braided river surveys of the Waiau River and eight smaller Canterbury rivers, Spring Environment Canterbury Report R08/92. Taylor, M.J.; Champion, P. Revised by Main, M.R Aquatic habitats with indigenous floristic or faunistic value in the Canterbury Region. Environment Canterbury, Christchurch. 6 p. plus appendices. Townsend, A.J.; de Lange, P.J.; Duffy, A.J.; Mickelly, C.M..; Molloy, J., rton, D.A. 2007: New Zealand Threat Classification System manual. Department of Conservation, Welllington. 35p.

21 Appendix 1: Hurunui River bird surveys individual section counts Section 1: Hurunui Mainland Island to Lake Mason outlet (12.6 km) Species t surveyed Black fronted tern White fronted tern Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit 10 Spur winged plover Black shag Little shag Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow 3 White faced heron Wrybill Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag NZ shoveler Turnstone Total Birds/km species t surveyed Section 2: Lake Mason outlet to gorge (18.1 km) Species t surveyed Black fronted tern White fronted tern Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher t surveyed

22 Pied stilt 7 Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit 3 Spur winged plover Black shag Little shag Duck species (Mallard) 5 7 Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow 2 White faced heron 4 Wrybill Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag NZ shoveler Turnstone Total Birds/km species Section 3: Number 3 Hut to Lake Sumner (20.6 km) Species t t t surveyed surveyed surveyed Black fronted tern 27 White fronted tern Tern species 97 Black billed gull 32 Banded dotterel 92 South Island pied oystercatcher 38 Pied stilt 9 Paradise shelduck 119 Southern black backed gull 39 Pipit 39 Spur winged plover 47 Black shag 1 Little shag 6 Duck species (Mallard) 9 Canada goose 4 Kingfisher Welcome swallow 1 White faced heron t surveyed

23 Wrybill Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal 1 Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag NZ shoveler 2 Turnstone Total 563 Birds/km 27.3 species 17 Section 4: Lake outlet to Sth Branch confluence (14.6 km) Species t t t surveyed surveyed surveyed Black fronted tern 8 White fronted tern Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher 2 Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit Spur winged plover Black shag 1 Little shag Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow 2 White faced heron Wrybill Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag NZ shoveler Turnstone t surveyed

24 Total 13 Birds/km 0.9 species 4 Section 5: Confluence to Maori Gully (4.7 km) Species t t surveyed surveyed Black fronted tern 3 6 White fronted tern Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher 2 Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit Spur winged plover 2 Black shag 1 Little shag Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow 2 White faced heron Wrybill Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag NZ shoveler Turnstone Total 3 13 Birds/km species 1 5 Black fronted tern White fronted tern Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel t surveyed Section 6: Maori Gully to Mandamus (19.5 km) Species t t t surveyed surveyed surveyed t surveyed

25 South Island pied oystercatcher Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit Spur winged plover Black shag 8 Little shag Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow 3 White faced heron Wrybill Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag NZ shoveler Turnstone Total 11 Birds/km 0.6 species 2 Section 7: Mandamus to SH7 (20.4 km) Species Black fronted tern White fronted tern 12 2 Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit Spur winged plover Black shag Little shag Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow 2 2 White faced heron

26 Wrybill Black fronted dotterel 1 Scaup Grey teal 2 3 Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag 2 Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag NZ shoveler Turnstone Total Birds/km species Section 8: SH7 to Lowry (12.1 km) Species Black fronted tern White fronted tern 1 Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit 1 Spur winged plover Black shag Little shag 2 Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow 8 3 White faced heron Wrybill Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal 4 Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag NZ shoveler Turnstone Total Birds/km species

27 Section 9: Lowry to SH1 (20.1 km) Species Black fronted tern 120 t surveyed White fronted tern Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit Spur winged plover Black shag Little shag 7 2 Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher 1 1 Welcome swallow White faced heron Wrybill Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal 1 14 Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern 4 Spotted shag NZ shoveler Turnstone Total Birds/km species River Mouth (2.3 km) Species Black fronted tern White fronted tern Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher Pied stilt 5 13 Paradise shelduck 2 Southern black backed gull Pipit Spur winged plover 2

28 Black shag 1 Little shag 20 Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow 1 White faced heron Wrybill Black fronted dotterel Scaup 8 Grey teal 2 Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern 3 Spotted shag 2 NZ shoveler Turnstone Total Birds/km species Section 10: SH1 to sea (19 km) Species Black fronted tern White fronted tern Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit 4 Spur winged plover Black shag Little shag Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow White faced heron Wrybill 2 5 Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal Royal spoonbill 2 Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull

29 Caspian tern Spotted shag 2 19 NZ shoveler Turnstone 1 Total Birds/km species

30 Appendix 2: Hurunui River bird surveys Consolidated survey information Mandamus to State Highway 1 (52.6 km) Species Black fronted tern White fronted tern 13 2 Tern species Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit Spur winged plover Black shag Little shag Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow White faced heron Wrybill Black fronted dotterel 1 Scaup Grey teal 3 21 Royal spoonbill Variable oystercatcher Pied shag 2 Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag NZ shoveler Turnstone Total Birds/km species

31 Mandamus to Sea (71.6 km) Species Black fronted tern White fronted tern Tern species 0 Black billed gull Banded dotterel South Island pied oystercatcher Pied stilt Paradise shelduck Southern black backed gull Pipit Spur winged plover Black shag Little shag Duck species (Mallard) Canada goose Kingfisher Welcome swallow White faced heron Wrybill 2 5 Black fronted dotterel Scaup Grey teal Royal spoonbill 2 Variable oystercatcher Pied shag Red billed gull Caspian tern Spotted shag 2 NZ shoveler Turnstone 1 Total Birds/km species

32 Appendix 3: Hurunui River bird survey Summary information Total Birds Counted Mean Section 1: Hurunui Mainland Island to Lake Mason outlet (12.6 km) Section 2: Lake Mason outlet to gorge (18.1 km) Section 3: Number 3 Hut to Lake Sumner (20.6 km) Section 4: Lake outlet to Sth Branch confluence (14.6 km) Section 5: Confluence to Maori Gully (4.7 km) Section 6: Maori Gully to Mandamus (19.5 km) Section 7: Mandamus to SH7 (20.4 km) Section 8: SH7 to Lowry (12.1 km) Section 9: Lowry to SH1 (20.1 km) SH1 to River mouth (16.7 km) River Mouth (2.3 km) Section 10: SH1 to sea (19 km) Mandamus to State Hiway 1 (52.6 km) Mandamus to Sea (71.6 km) Birds per km Section 1: Hurunui Mainland Island to Lake Mason outlet (12.6 km) Section 2: Lake Mason outlet to gorge (18.1 km) Section 3: Number 3 Hut to Lake Sumner (20.6 km) Section 4: Lake outlet to Sth Branch confluence (14.6 km) Section 5: Confluence to Maori Gully (4.7 km) Section 6: Maori Gully to Mandamus (19.5 km) Section 7: Mandamus to SH7 (20.4 km) Section 8: SH7 to Lowry (12.1 km) Section 9: Lowry to SH1 (20.1 km) SH1 to River mouth (16.7 km) River Mouth (2.3 km) Section 10: SH1 to sea (19 km) Mandamus to State Hiway 1 (52.6 km) Mandamus to Sea (71.6 km) of different species Section 1: Hurunui Mainland Island to Lake Mason outlet (12.6 km) Section 2: Lake Mason outlet to gorge (18.1 km) Section 3: Number 3 Hut to Lake Sumner (20.6 km) Section 4: Lake outlet to Sth Branch confluence (14.6 km) Section 5: Confluence to Maori Gully (4.7 km) Section 6: Maori Gully to Mandamus (19.5 km) Section 7: Mandamus to SH7 (20.4 km) Section 8: SH7 to Lowry (12.1 km) Section 9: Lowry to SH1 (20.1 km)

33 SH1 to River mouth (16.7 km) River Mouth (2.3 km) Section 10: SH1 to sea (19 km) Mandamus to State Hiway 1 (52.6 km) Mandamus to Sea (71.6 km)

34 Appendix 4: Waiau River bird survey individual section counts S1 Waterfall Stream to Waiau Ferry Bridge (11.7 km) Species Banded dotterel Wrybill Black fronted tern Black billed gull Southern black backed gull Duck species Paradise shelduck Spur winged plover Canada goose SIPO Pied stilt White fronted tern White faced heron 1 1 Black shag 1 1 Black swan Black fronted dotterel Caspian Tern 1 Common tern Feral goose Grey duck Harrier Kingfisher Little shag Mallard 3 8 NZ shoveler Pied shag Pipit Pukeko Red billed gull Royal spoonbill Scaup Turnstones Variable oystercatcher Welcome swallow White winged black tern Total Birds/ km species Upper gorge (Waiau ferry to Twin Bridges S2 & S3: 15.9 km) Banded dotterel Wrybill Black fronted tern Black billed gull Southern black backed gull 2 1 2

35 Duck species 6 1 Paradise shelduck 2 Spur winged plover 7 4 Canada goose SIPO Pied stilt White fronted tern White faced heron 1 Black shag Black swan Black fronted dotterel Caspian Tern Common tern Feral goose Grey duck Harrier Kingfisher Little shag 1 Mallard 9 NZ shoveler Pied shag Pipit 1 Pukeko Red billed gull 1 Royal spoonbill Scaup Turnstones Variable oystercatcher Welcome swallow White winged black tern Total Birds/ km species Upper Emu Plains (Twin Bridges to Green Rd S4 & S5: 13.7 km) Banded dotterel Wrybill 2 Black fronted tern Black billed gull Southern black backed gull Duck species Paradise shelduck Spur winged plover Canada goose SIPO Pied stilt White fronted tern White faced heron 4 2 7

36 Black shag 15 5 Black swan Black fronted dotterel Caspian Tern Common tern Feral goose Grey duck Harrier 7 2 Kingfisher 1 1 Little shag Mallard NZ shoveler Pied shag Pipit 1 Pukeko Red billed gull Royal spoonbill Scaup Turnstones Variable oystercatcher 1 Welcome swallow White winged black tern Total Birds/ km species Lower Emu Plains (Green Rd to Sandersons Rd S6 to S8: 15 km) Banded dotterel Wrybill Black fronted tern Black billed gull Southern black backed gull Duck species Paradise shelduck Spur winged plover Canada goose SIPO Pied stilt White fronted tern 1 1 White faced heron 11 Black shag Black swan Black fronted dotterel Caspian Tern Common tern Feral goose Grey duck Harrier 1 2

37 Kingfisher 1 1 Little shag Mallard NZ shoveler Pied shag Pipit 2 3 Pukeko 1 Red billed gull Royal spoonbill Scaup Turnstones Variable oystercatcher Welcome swallow White winged black tern Total Birds/ km species Middle Gorge (Sanderson Rd to Hematite Stream S9 &10: 21.6 km) Banded dotterel Wrybill Black fronted tern Black billed gull 2 Southern black backed gull Duck species 3 7 Paradise shelduck Spur winged plover Canada goose SIPO 7 9 Pied stilt 1 18 White fronted tern White faced heron Black shag 4 1 Black swan Black fronted dotterel Caspian Tern 1 Common tern Feral goose Grey duck Harrier 2 Kingfisher Little shag Mallard 16 NZ shoveler Pied shag Pipit Pukeko Red billed gull

38 Royal spoonbill Scaup Turnstones Variable oystercatcher Welcome swallow White winged black tern Total Birds/ km species Lower braids around Parnassus / SH1 bridge S11 to S13: 12.9 km) Banded dotterel Wrybill Black fronted tern Black billed gull Southern black backed gull Duck species Paradise shelduck Spur winged plover Canada goose SIPO Pied stilt White fronted tern White faced heron 2 2 Black shag 5 4 Black swan Black fronted dotterel Caspian Tern Common tern Feral goose Grey duck Harrier 3 1 Kingfisher 4 Little shag 5 1 Mallard 13 NZ shoveler Pied shag 12 Pipit Pukeko Red billed gull Royal spoonbill Scaup Turnstones Variable oystercatcher Welcome swallow White winged black tern Total Birds/ km

39 species S14 Lower gorge Spotswood F&G access to river mouth (7 km) Banded dotterel Wrybill 2 Black fronted tern Black billed gull 2 Southern black backed gull Duck species 12 1 Paradise shelduck Spur winged plover 2 14 Canada goose 1 SIPO 5 7 Pied stilt 5 2 White fronted tern White faced heron Black shag Black swan Black fronted dotterel Caspian Tern Common tern Feral goose Grey duck Harrier Kingfisher 1 Little shag Mallard 2 6 NZ shoveler Pied shag Pipit Pukeko Red billed gull Royal spoonbill Scaup Turnstones Variable oystercatcher Welcome swallow White winged black tern Total Birds/ km species River mouth (3.2 km) Banded dotterel Wrybill Black fronted tern

40 Black billed gull Southern black backed gull Duck species 8 3 Paradise shelduck 8 2 Spur winged plover 2 Canada goose 3 8 SIPO 2 Pied stilt White fronted tern White faced heron Black shag 10 Black swan 1 8 Black fronted dotterel Caspian Tern 5 1 Common tern Feral goose Grey duck Harrier Kingfisher Little shag Mallard NZ shoveler Pied shag 1 6 Pipit Pukeko Red billed gull Royal spoonbill 14 1 Scaup 13 Turnstones 4 Variable oystercatcher 6 4 Welcome swallow White winged black tern Total Birds/ km species Appendix 5: Waiau River bird survey Consolidated section data All sections (101 km) Banded dotterel Wrybill Black fronted tern Black billed gull Southern black backed gull Duck species Paradise shelduck Spur winged plover Canada goose SIPO