# Talk:Matiu / Somes Island

I'm not sure whether it's the silver gull on Matiu/Somes or another type of bird. Can someone correct me if I am wrong. Apologies if I am not supposed to edit this page. Bookscale (talk) 13:19, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

The article mentions the translocation of robins to the island. On a recent visit, I asked one of the guides about this, because we hadn't seen any robins. We were told that unfortunately, the robins had not survived - it appears that the ecology of the island doesn't yet provide sufficient food for robins. I am not aware of any source we can quote, but will keep trying.--Marshelec (talk) 07:56, 12 December 2022 (UTC)

Finally found a source that states that the robins did not thrive, and have included this in the article.Marshelec (talk) 02:50, 22 May 2023 (UTC)

More content is needed about the role of the island as an animal quarantine station, given the long period of use in that role, and the extensive quarantine station buildings that still remain. Marshelec (talk) 07:54, 21 January 2023 (UTC)

@Marshelec I've added a bit more about the quarantine station. Anything else needed? Wainuiomartian (talk) 06:32, 3 April 2023 (UTC)

Some species of plants and wildlife have no scientific names attached, some have the scientific name linked and others have the common name (Enlgish and/or Maori) linked. Is there a recommended style for this, as it's getting clunky?Wainuiomartian (talk) 17:24, 28 March 2023 (UTC)

Never mind, I have changed them to make the style consistent throughout the article.Wainuiomartian (talk) 18:33, 31 March 2023 (UTC)

@Wainuiomartian:I think it would be useful to add a bit more to the geography section, to give some details of the geology of the island. Also, it would be worthwhile to add the interesting details of the artesian acquifer that is accessible from the island, even though it is fully surrounded by seawater. I have found a one source in a 1990 brochure published by Forest & Bird Lower Hutt, temporary copy here: [1] but we ideally need more.  I have some contacts with background in geology, and they have referred me to: On Shaky Ground, by Graeme Stevens. I will follow this up.  On another matter, I think the lead is a bit overly condensed, and would benefit from some expansions. Compressing most of its human history to these two sentences seems too brief: "It was the site of military and quarantine internments, as well as animal quarantine until 1995. Since 1995, it has been designated as a scientific and historic reserve".  Would you like to have a go at totally rewriting and expanding the lead ? It would be fine to have four decent paragraphs.Marshelec (talk) 01:58, 9 April 2023 (UTC)

I agree that the geological side of things is the big bit still outstanding - but can I just say, it's been a delight to see the article really come together recently, and I reckon with a bit more work it could easily go for GA status. Turnagra (talk) 03:56, 9 April 2023 (UTC)
@Marshelec okeydokey.Wainuiomartian (talk) 05:50, 9 April 2023 (UTC)
@Wainuiomartian: I have put some additional content, citations and an image into the section on Geology and geography.  See what you think. I have asked a colleague of mine who has a background in geology to also review the content and suggest anything we might consider adding. However, I think now would be a good time to nominate the article for GAR. I will leave this to you...:) Marshelec (talk) 23:36, 18 April 2023 (UTC)
Nice. I rearranged that section a little. I will go ahead and nominate in a day or two.Wainuiomartian (talk) 03:24, 19 April 2023 (UTC)

This review is transcluded from Talk:Matiu / Somes Island/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.
Reviewer: I am starting to review this Dr vulpes (talk · contribs) 02:08, 29 May 2023 (UTC)

The GA1 review has stalled for a lengthy period, with no edits for a month. The reviewer has been inactive for over a week and has not responded to messages on their talk page. I have reset the process, so that a new reviewer can start again.Marshelec (talk) 05:17, 17 July 2023 (UTC)

@Vallee Many thanks for creating the topographic map of the island. I think this is a useful addition - it helps readers to understand the physical geography of the island, and supports the text. Let's see if there is feedback from any others who have this page on their watchlist. Marshelec (talk) 01:12, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

I agree that the maps (on all of the islands) look great! My only wish is that they followed the topo map conventions a bit more, but that doesn't have a huge impact by any stretch. Turnagra (talk) 01:19, 13 January 2024 (UTC)
@Turnagra Hmmm. In my feedback to User:Vallee about an earlier version of the Kapiti Island topographic map, I made the observation that the green-to-brown colour shading in steps of altitude created a distinct but misleading impression that the top of the island was brown/dirt/rock. So the departure from the conventions is possibly down to me. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think that the green shading in this example (and also Kapiti Island) is better for the purposes of these articles about the two islands. Marshelec (talk) 01:30, 13 January 2024 (UTC)