July 31, 2014 Third Time's The Charm - Birdlings Flat

Kaitorete Spit along Lake Ellesmere

Another beautiful day with strong winds and warm temps. We started the day entering over 100 species of plants and animals that we have seen on Nature Watch NZ (see http://naturewatch.org.nz/ and look for UF Biodiversity course under projects). The students (or the squad) wanted to go back to Birdlings Flat and we also decided to take the 18 km trip along Kaitorete Spit is New Zealands second longest sand spit hosting several unique species of flora and fauna, including the only native spider with a poisonous bite, the Katipo (don't worry, they are very rare and we did not see any). 

Little did we know the adventure (especially for me) driving the Gatorwaka through quite a few paddocks with a gravel road and judder bars. I wanted to explore the spit (having never been there) and see were the salt water meets the fresh water of the lake. On y va! (french for here we go)

Gate keeping across paddocks.

Sooooooooooo cute!

First up was some marvelous up close views of ewes (sheep that is of the female kind) with their newly born lamb. Lots of ohhs and ahhhhs and their so cute from the squad. The road to the end of the spit was a mixture of pasture, natives (small shrubs, Muehlenbeckia astonii), and of course lots of beach with ROCKS to collect.

Ewww of a different kind.

Rocks, glorious rocks!

View out across the Pacific Ocean.

When we go to the opening where the ocean met the lake, we saw freshwater pouring out of Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora). It looked green and full of silt. Lake Ellesmere is one of the most polluted lakes in New Zealand (see https://www.selwyn.govt.nz/facilities-and-parks/facilities/lake-ellesmere) and it used to be a big fishing area, particularly for flounder and eels caught by local Maori. However, wastewater runoff from farms (loaded with nitrates) has polluted the lake and there is an effort to improve the lakes water quality by changing farming practices upstream. See also http://www.wet.org.nz/  We had a close look at where all the nutrients go from the urban and rural  landscape. It even relates to back home where plenty of Floridians dump fertilizers on their lawns, and most of the fertilizers end of up our ground water and waterways. One can see our clean/clear springs changing right before our eyes!

We ended the day relaxing on Birdlings Flat (of course collecting more rocks). Watching gannets and other birds fishing and eating fish. 

Dr. H

Landowners, honeydew and a birthday!

Sadly, this is our last week in New Zealand. But, we are starting off the week right by visiting local landowners.

First, we traveled to Malcolm and Pauline's farm in Lincoln. They greeted us with tea and delicious chocolate muffins (no lie I had 3 muffins).

Malcolm and Pauline are retired farmers who moved from Sefton to Lincoln in 2006. The couple decided to grow a hedgerow around their farm because native plants require little maintenance and less money. People thought they were mad to do this, but the hedgerow and surrounding gardens have grown remarkably well since 2007.

Malcolm, Pauline and The Squad

Pauline explained how rich and fertile the soil is here which allows the plants to grow beautifully. When they first moved to Lincoln there were not many plants and no birds, but now there are many birds and native plants. Birds such as thrashers, starlings, black birds, bellbirds, white-faced herons, pukekos and silver-eyes. They even have bees, geckos and lizards!

Bird garden

Pauline and her garden

So far, there is a mixture of deciduous trees and native plants. Even though the deciduous trees aren't native they provide shelter from the wind and nutrients for the native plants. The hedgerows include kowhai, golden totara, hebe, broad leaf, flax, kahikatea and more. The hedgerow covers 750 meters around the farm and is 4 meters wide.

Hedgerow in Fall of 2007

Hedgerow now

Pauline and Malcolm are trying to get a covenant for the area to make sure no one can tear down all the native plants. It would be awful to see all their hard work to go to waste at the hands of a bulldozer.

Group photo with Pauline and Malcolm!

Before our next destination, we made a short stop in front of the Southern Alps for pictures. Fun fact: New Zealand is due for a magnitude 8 earthquake because of the Alp fault line.

The Southern Alps

On to our next stop! We passed through Springfield to get to Toby Hill farm. Heather and Trevor are the owners of this land. They have been farming since 1969 and decided to become involved in restoration. More than 6,000 native species were planted on their farm. They've blocked off 4 different parts of their farm for restoration.

Heather and Trevor began their native restoration project in Kowai Bush about 20 years ago. They are a part of the Green Dot Program and are working to bring more native plants to the Selwyn District. Trevor explained that after an ecological survey done by Kristena, an environmental officer, they were able to apply for funding by the council. Kristena identified over 52 native plants in the area. Heather and Trevor were given money for fences and more native plants.

Trevor explaining their conservation efforts

Volunteers from the Malvern Lions Club and Te Ara Kakariki have helped plant native species in the fenced off areas. There has been an overall 90% plant survival rate! Unfortunately, some plants are damaged by strong winds and snow.

Trevor and Heather are working for a QEII trust. This is a national conservation trust that provides landowners protection for the native feature on their land with covenants.

Trevor spoke about the many advantages of this restoration project. For example, in 50 years there will not be as many scattered trees. Additionally, there will be more natural regeneration. Trevor and Heather have noticed the increase in birds like wood pigeons, fantails, bellbirds and a few tui. We even saw a fantail (my favorite New Zealand bird)!

Fantail or piwakawaka showing off

Trevor and Heather gave us a tour of their awesome restoration blocks. Manuka, kanuka, marble leaf, pokaka, kowhai and more native plants are growing successfully.

Trevor telling us more about Toby Hill

Finding out that Honeydew is called weevil piss by beekeepers

One of the four restoration blocks

The fence surrounding the blocks keeps away the stock, but not all the small mammals. Therefore, Trevor and Heather installed some predator traps. The traps are meant for possums, but there isn't much evidence of possums. They believe rats are eating the bait rather than possums.

Trevor pointing out a trap

'Lake Kristena' in another restoration block

By the way, please visit their website here!

Group photo with Trevor and Heather!

We then made a quick stop at Lords Bush Scenic Reserve, which was recommended by our friend Colin Meurk.

Entrance to the reserve

We licked honeydew off trees and maneuvered around horse feces. I found out that the honeydew is actually insect poop. The insect, which secretes the sweet liquid, is inside the tree and feeds off the sap. Yum.

Braden licking off some honeydew

Katherine and Christina trying honeydew

Plant surrounded by cages to keep away rabbits

We had tea-time at Springfield Store & Cafe. We also celebrated Connor's birthday! Happy 21st Birthday Connor! Hope you feel better. 

Connor blowing out his candle

Until later,

Alicia

July 21, 2014 The Greening of Waipara

Swale to help with storm water management and quality at Pegasus 

We started our COLD and breezy day up the East Coast headed for Waipara and the wine country.  Along the way we stopped to see the green development of Pegasus before we stopped for our morning tea break.  Here, we saw some of the roadside plantings were natives mixed in with exotics. As with any green development, people tend to take small steps before taking a leap. Once in Waipara we toured two of the many wineries that are participating in the Greening Waipara project – Pegasus and Waipara Hills.  At Pegasus we not only saw how much the native plants have grown in the last several years since being planted, but also got to see the native New Zealand eel.  At Waipara Hills we walked their native gardens and had a great wine tasting session learning about how the grapes are grown and wines are made.

Heading down the path through the Greening Waipara native plant garden at Pegasus winery.

Learning about wine in Waipara.

Next we were off to our accommodation for the night, the Waipara Sleeper Cars, for lunch before our afternoon activities.  After lunch we met up with our ecologist buddy Dr. Colin  Meurk so he could give us some additional information about the Greening Waipara Project and the native plants in the Torlesse and Waipara Springs wineries.  Here, we observed wineries that incorporated natives into biodiversity trails and plantings of “green dots” to bring back native wildlife and spread seeds throughout the Waipara distruct. Many of the biodiversity trails also serve to educate visitors as they sip their glasses of wine. In the late afternoon we met up with Darryl Harris, a fourth generation New Zealand farmer that has been the community leader in the Greening Waipara Project. He continues to lead the effort of planting natives, even when the funding has dwindled.  He explained that his original interest was using native plants to bring predatory insects into and around his grape vines so he did not have to use as much pesticides (saving him money). Now, he feels it is a “win-win” for farmer to restore habitat, but he would really love to see the New Zealand wood pigeon come back to the area.

In the warmth of summer, they are a delightful idea says Meryl  ; )

Exploring the Greening Waipara garden with Colin at the Torlesse winery.

Daryl and Sis watch Bear bring home the sheep to us.

Now, Daryl, among other things, is a sheep farmer and we wanted to see how his new New Zealand sheep herding dog, Bear, did his thing. It was fascinating to watch Bear herd the sheep right back to us. After the demonstration, we went to Darryl’s home for gourmet dinner  - consisting of a lamb and beef roast, Tuscan chicken, and an assortment of vegetables that were to die for!  Marie is an excellent cook and it was topped off with a tasty bit of “pavlova.” Then came the main event– the lip synch contest – which was judged by Colin, Marie, Daryl, and Kate (their daughter).  Erin and Connor won the bragging rights for the year (here is a group performance for your enjoyment), but Daryl’s impromptu Meatloaf song, replete with “motorcycle”, capped off the evening (oh yeah, and so did Coco Chenelle’s six adorable puppies and Bob, Kate’s pet sheep!).

Enjoying an amazing meal all together at the Harris home. 

Marie's Pavlova

Puppies!

Puppies!

Connor and Erin say in New Zealand, "Ain't no mountain high enough!"

Our esteemed judges, Marie, Colin, Daryl, and Kate - Thank you!

Daryl with Tupelo on Bob The Sheep