OUR TAONGA
RIFLEMAN - TITIPOUNAMU
Rifleman or Titipounamu have been one of our great success stories at Possums’ End. When we first arrived we managed to locate 3 or 4 pairs nesting in clay banks. These nests were regularly destroyed by predators, especially rats and mice. Following our intensive multi-species pest control and the provision of rodent proof nest boxes, numbers have increased steadily. In the 2024/25 season we had 21 successful broods. The birds have now spread out to surrounding areas and our local conservation group has provided several hundred nest boxes for them. Titipounamu are New Zealand’s smallest bird and our guests often like to spot them in the forest around Possums’ End and then drive 20 minutes to the Royal Albatross Centre,where they can view New Zealand’s largest flying bird - The Royal Albatross - Toroa.
PERIPATUS - NGAOKEOKE
Ngaokeoke are just weird. Thought to have remained unchanged for 500 million years they are a missing link between worms and insects and as such have been placed in their own phylum: Onychophora. An animal of the tropics and Southern hemisphere, there are probably about 30 different species in NZ, most undescribed. The peripatus that we have here at Possums’ End was described just a couple of years ago and is appropriately named the Dunedin peripatus (Peripatiodes otepoti). They hunt at night and shoot sticky jets of goo to incapacitate unsuspecting prey, such as spiders. Their velvety skin can dry out quickly so they are usually found in naturally damp areas and when humidity levels are high. Some of the individuals that we observe here at Possums’ End are unusually large - around 40 to 50mm long, which is probably a reflection of our predator control. The larger animals usually succumb to predators such as rats, mice and hedgehogs at sites without multi-species predator control.
NEW ZEALAND RETICULATE STAG BEETLE
According to the scientific literature the New Zealand Reticulate Stag Beetle can be found throughout the North Island of NZ and in the South Island as far South as Waimate. And now at Possums’ End! 150km South of where the scientists say it should be. We are not complaining as it is a beautiful, handsome beetle that seems to thrive here where predation from rodents and hedgehogs is kept under control. It is mainly nocturnal, flightless and feeds on rotting wood.
KŌRERO GECKO
A large, robust gecko that can be found throughout the South East of the South Island. Strangely it has not been formally described by science, but is considered to be “Declining”. At Possums’ End its numbers have dramatically increased as a result of our predator control. Once only found under rock piles this beautiful lizard is now widespread on the property, including in our house walls and ceilings where it hunts insects at night. In the right circumstances they can form large groups and are quite sociable, often vocalising with small squeaks and barks around evening time - which is where their name comes from - the Maōri word Kōrero means to tell/say/speak. Recent research has shown Kōrero Geckos suffer significantly from predation and competition with mice - one of the reasons we put so much effort here into multi species pest control which includes mice.
SOUTHERN GRASS SKINK
A beautiful, charismatic skink found throughout our property. Sun loving and very fast they feed on various insects. Whilst usually found on the ground they do on occasion venture up into bushes, or in the case of the photo - overalls, seeking prey. They are found in the SE quadrant of the South Island and considered to be "declining". They suffer terribly from predation by cats - both feral and domestic. Cats enjoy the challenge of catching and killing these super fast inquisitive animals. Like all New Zealand native lizards they are protected by law.
TUI
The antics of our resident tui are a source of great interest to visitors to Possums’ End. Whether it is teaching their young how to feed from the nectar feeder or voicing their annoyance at intruders into their territory they are always entertaining. But it’s not always been that way. 25 years ago it was extremely rare to see tui on the Otago Peninsula but they have made a stunning comeback. There probably isn’t one single reason for this, but a number of factors have contributed. Tui are primarily nectar feeders but at certain times of the year they need protein boosts from eating insects. Peninsula gardens, roadside plantings and bush remnants have matured over recent years providing more reliable sources of nectar. Increasing pest control has helped protect their vulnerable nests and freed up more insects for them. Additionally lots of people feed them with nectar feeders, this gives tui the confidence to nest in the area knowing that there will always be food available. They are now one of the Peninsula’s most common native birds.
BELLBIRD - KORIMAKO
Bellbirds are a common bird at Possums’ End where they will often play second fiddle to the larger tui at the nectar feeder. The male bellbird is a beautiful dark green, the female is much paler and also has a white stripe just below its eye. Sometimes bellbirds sport a colourful hat of pollen which indicates what plants they are currently feeding on - for example, mauve/blue is tree fuchsia and orange is flax. In the autumn bellbirds will often engage in singing competitions where several males will attempt to out-sing each other. It can be quite deafening.
TREE FERNS
With the removal of browsing mammals (sheep, cattle, deer and possums) tree ferns are surging back. As far as we know we are the only property on the Otago Peninsula to boast 4 species of wild tree fern in a relatively small area. The species are Silver Fern, Whekī, Whekī-ponga and Kātote.
TREE NETTLE - ONGAONGA
Our favourite plant! Ferocious and demanding respect, Ongaonga plays an important rôle in the local ecosystem. It is well known as the host plant (the caterpillars only feed on this plant) to the beautiful New Zealand Red Admiral butterfly. It is less well known that it is host to several beautiful and rare moth species, including an as yet undescribed species in the genus Meterana. Many of these moths are found at Possums’ End - they wouldn’t be here without the Ongaonga.
MUHLENBECKIA - POHUEHUE
Pohuehue is the single most important plant in our rewilding project. It is a highly invasive vine that closes in the sides of regenerating forests and protects the forest from the elements. It is the host plant to at least 30 moths/butterfly species nationwide. At Possums’ End we have recorded at least 15 of these species. The eggs, larvae, pupa and adults of these species provide the driving energy for our ecosystem. It’s what the forest birds and lizards feed on, the insect frass enriches the soil and the adult insects provide pollination services across a wide range of native plants. It may be considered the bane of many gardeners, but it is the best friend of those of us trying to rewild.
MOTHS
We love moths! They are beautiful, enigmatic and here. We have recorded over 300 species coming to our moth lights over the years. Some are numerous, some are rare. Each has a story to tell. What is its host plant? What do the adults feed on? Where do they pupate? How long do they live? Some of this we know, much of it we don’t. Moths are the glue that holds our ecosystems together. Their eggs, larvae, pupae and adults all provide critical food for birds and lizards. Their frass (poop) enriches the forest soil, some larvae break down vegetation and dead animals. The adults pollinate a wide range of our forest plants. Moths are critical for a healthy ecosystem, which is why we try to protect them with our multi-species predator control - which must include rats and mice.
