Volunteers made the most of a fine, if chilly, morning on Saturday to ensure safer nesting for a colony of endangered black-fronted terns on the Waiau-Uwha River.

Our group’s main target were tree lupins invading the Sharks Tooth island site, where the birds nest every year. Clearing the site of weedy vegetation helps prevent predators such as feral cats from preying on the eggs and chicks.

Our weeders made quick work pulling up the lupins that had regrown since our first excursion there in May 2024, so to be extra certain we did a second sweep to mop up. A very satisfying morning was rewarded with a hearty morning tea on the riverbank.

For more information about our next Hurunui Weedbusters event, contact: [email protected]