nesting boxes have also been established on the island to provide a safe nesting site for the white-flippered penguin, an endangered Banks Peninsula native. The Trust organises fortnightly work parties on the island to undertake animal and weed pest control. An annual planting is undertaken each spring. Since 1997, volunteers have eradicated rabbits, cats, hedgehogs, and ship rats from the island. A trap network on the mainland and the stepping-stone island to Ōtamahua aim to prevent reinvasion, but the island's inter-tidal link to the mainland make this likely, particularly by rodents. The Trust's volunteers have planted more than 95,000 native trees and shrubs, established a nursery to propagate silver tussock, and eradicated all predators except mice. As a result, birds, invertebrates and rare plants have been reintroduced to the island. This includes korimako and kererū as well as Lepidium aegrum (Banks Peninsula scurvy grass), a "nationally critical" plant. Invertebrates translocated include a Banks Peninisula ground beetle Megadromus guerinii, Banks Peninsula tree weta Hemideina ricta, and the leaf-vein slug Pseudaneitea maculata. Visitors About 16,000 people visit the island every year. Ōtamahua / Quail Island is the only substantial island in the Canterbury area accessible to the public. This island has a number of safe swimming beaches, as well as same-day facilities (toilets, day shelter). A ferry service is available to the island, and private watercraft may also access the island. The Ōtamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust encourages and facilitates educational activities and relevant research on the natural features and cultural history of the island. Many schools and groups now visit the island to combine outdoor activities with their studies of the natural environment. It is possible for to stay the night on the island. The Caretakers House can be booked via the department of Conservation website. There are two bunkrooms with 12 beds available. See also List of islands of New Zealand List of islands Desert island References Further reading External links Department of Conservation – Ōtamahua/Quail Island Recreation Reserve Ōtamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust – Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust Uninhabited islands of New Zealand Islands of Canterbury, New Zealand Leper colonies Exploration of Antarctica