stephen July 8th, 2010
On a wet Sunday afternoon 4th July I stood beneath the trees on the lava strewn hillock to the north of the Kerr Taylor Reserve to do our first 1 hour bird count for the annual Garden bird survey run by Landcare Research. http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/gardenbird/
We had a slow start on the wetland. But looking south to the newly planted “habitat area” with a few meagre young native grasses planted in lawn – a group of blackbirds was hard at work. They kept me entertained for half an hour – and if the people in the brick apartments wondered who was standing under the trees looking their way with binoculars, none of them came out to find out.
A solitary chaffinch flew by, and the number of blackbirds in the open habitat area increasd to 6. A loan grey seagull wheeled overhead. A large cat slowly walked from the weir to Kerr Taylor reserve, staying dry using the boardwalk as a shelter from the rain.
With 10 minutes to go I heard singing – then louder; and a man and woman came walking south along the boardwalk in the misty rain, singing a waiata. A magical close out to the hour.
Thanks Eden Albert Community Board and Te Ngahere for the recent historic plantings of the Kerr Taylor reserve. The blackbirds certainly spent the time in the habitat area. Perhaps next year our pukeko, ducks or shags will show up in the wetland to be counted.
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stephen June 27th, 2010
Update: Further to STEPS submission regarding the lack of waste and storm water infrastructure at http://www.meolacreek.org.nz/2009/07/23/steps-submission-on-westfield-st-lukes-plan-change/ Roy Clements, Pat Prescott and Liz Walker appeared at the hearings on 22 June 2010.
Our presentation is linked click here (3Mb pdf), including pictures of the 1 June storm which covered the board walk with storm and waste water overflow. STEPS was very interested to discover that the Environment Court had made a ruling in December 2009 declaring St Lukes a town centre, with input from ARC and ACC and despite lack of infrastructure. All hearings submissions and evidence have been scanned by the council and placed here (click on Agenda Attachments) http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/members/hearings/a201006140930.asp
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stephen June 27th, 2010
Despite the challenging conditions (ranging from impenetrable scoria to ankle-deep mud), we managed to get over 800 plants into the ground. We decided on a more diverse species mix to enhance last year’s plantings. Species included wet-loving plants such as Carex lessoniana, giant umbrella sedge, swamp maire, and toetoe to terrestrial shrubland and forest species such as whau, wineberry, kowhai, lemonwood, and taraire. In addition, two species of threatened fern (Todea barbara and Cyclosorus interruptus), one species of threatened sedge (Baumea complanata), and swamp maire and Coprosma propinqua (both uncommon in the Auckland Region) now have new homes in the wetland.
Around 30 volunteers, including people from the Rasheed Memorial Trust, turned up to help on the day – so special thanks to them and the other volunteers. Thanks also to David Bowden from Auckland City Council for funding and helping to organise this event.
We have found a BIG SPADE – if anyone lost a spade, please email STEPS via this website.
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