Dead pests benefit native flora, birdlife

JOHN EDENS 624016827

EARTHLY PURSUIT: Central Otago Ecological Trust member Lynne Stewart prepares her Earnsleugh garden for another native species.

JOHN EDENS 624015298

COSY SETUP: Department of Conservation officer Tim Whittaker in his native plant nursery in Springvale, Alexandra.

Relevant offers

Features

Kina in war against invader No glory without mum 'Silver tsunami' in US Boat-sinking mystery to be remembered The Don moves on Tracking down truants 'Best festival' grows The final hammer From humble beginnings Gold Guitars have flourished Inviting new home for city workers

Native flora grown in soil fertilised by dead ferrets have encouraged bellbirds to frequent Lynne Stewart's garden in Earnscleugh.

The Central Otago Ecological Trust member started to trap ferrets and possums 10 years ago and uses the carcasses to fertilise soil – better than any retail blood and bone mix, she said.

"By reducing the things that prey on birds we have a dawn chorus of native bellbirds," she said.

She is one of several individuals calling for more plantings, using natives such as flax or kowhai that attract bellbirds and other species.

There are a handful of planting schemes in the district, one at Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary where captive-bred skinks are being monitored, and another at Flat Top Hill, run by the Department of Conservation.

Species such as karamu (coprosma), cabbage tree (Cordyline australis), totara (Podocarpus totara) and puriri (Vitex lucens) can provide nectar, fruit and seeds.

DOC officer Tim Whittaker started planting native species at his 6ha Springvale block in 2003.

"Given the history of Central Otago, it was probably a mosaic of shrubland, forest and tussock land."

The combination of a fire-prone dry climate and the impact of Maori and pastoral settlers denuded the region, he said.

"What we need to do is put the wood component back into the landscape."

By planting species such as Olearia hectorii and coprosma, private landowners can help conserve natives and contribute to the environment, Mr Whittaker said.

DOC biodiversity programme manager Nicole Sutton said the 813ha Flat Top Hill conservation area – between Alexandra and Butcher's dam – was planted with natives, including Olearia hectorii and Olearia lineata.

The area was once dryland shrub and forest, she said.

"The idea is to revegetate with a little help from us with rabbit control and weed control."

Other flora that can attract birds and provide food include weeping mapou (Mysrine divaricata) and broadleaf (Griselinia littoralis).

john.edens@stl.co.nz

ON THE MENU
Examples of plants for native birds:
Akatea (Metrosideros fulgens): nectar, March to July
Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis): fruit and seeds, January to April
Flax (lowland, Phormium tenax): nectar, November to January
Kowhai (Sophora microphylla): nectar, September to November
Totara (Podocarpus totara): fruit and seeds, March to April
Source: Department of Conservation and Landcare Research

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First