All previous newsletters can be found here.
Work Day Reminder, November 21 2026
The next monthly work day will be from 9.00am – noon this coming Saturday.
This month we will be doing some planting and weeding probably in the Southern Woods part of the wetland. If you arrive late there will be a notice on the Education Centre door explaining where we have gone and a phone number for you to call if you need more guidance to our location.
All tools provided. Gumboots are recommended. If you don’t have any we have pairs for loan at the Education Centre. Please bring your own gloves if you can, but we have some of them for loan too.
If the weather on the work day is poor and we decide to cancel then an email will be sent by 8am on Saturday morning. So if you think the conditions are marginal, please check your emails.
If you’re reading this on the website and are not on the email list then you can add yourself to it through the form at the foot of the home page. If you change your mind there’s an unsubscribe link in each newsletter.
Volunteers welcome
Would you like to volunteer to help with caring for the wetland? We would be interested to hear from you. You may have a community group, workplace or extended family that would like to be involved too. Please contact us via info@traviswetland.org.nz
Report on the TFC public planting day, 17th October
Following a spell of wet weather we were lucky to have fine day for our combined planting day with Trees for Canterbury (TFC).
Rangers had been working hard upgrading the road to the southern woods, so we had much improved access for supplies and volunteers. Our site was just beyond the stock yards beside the large ‘temporary’ pond which forms each winter and seems reluctant to dry up for summer. Many volunteers commented on the beauty of this spot and the variety of bird species.
A strong wind from the south was initially chilling but digging holes soon got us warmed up. Large numbers of the sedge Carex secta (pūkio) were planted in moist areas by the pond. These provide good cover for birds and slow the spread of the troublesome Bidens frondosa weed.
Other species including kahikatea, coprosma propinqua and toetoe were planted in areas to suit their needs on either side of the road. We were fortunate to have about 60 enthusiastic planters and around 1000 plants were put in.
By noon it was time to give in to the delicious barbecue aromas wafting by, thanks to the efforts of Wayne and Jason.
Thanks to TFC for their ongoing support and to the rangers and volunteers for making this such a successful morning.
Article: Sue Britain and images: Sue Britain and Dave Evans
Light Trapping and Bug Hunting at Travis Wetland
The Canterbury Branch of Entomological Society advertised and on the evening of 10 October lots of enthusiastic people keen to spot after dark invertebrates/critters, gathered near the carpark at Beach Road.
The lights attracted a variety of bugs including very tiny stick insects and moths, some quite colourful when viewed under lights.
Entomologist Morgane showed a native flat worm that when the light was on it, showed as luminous blue, she said that was to scare off potential hungry prey.
It was great to see a number of young potentially future entomologists on site absorbing all that we viewed.
Thank you to all of the organisers, your efforts much appreciated. A great learning experience.
Article and image: Eleanor Bissell
Green Tortoise Beetle, Cassida rubiginosa
Keep an eye out for the Green tortoise beetle on your wanders around Travis.
Measuring around 7mm long, this beetle gets its “tortoise beetle” nickname from its rounded shell with it’s ability to hide it’s head and legs.
Originally native to Europe, North Africa and Asia, it was deliberately introduced to New Zealand in 2007 and has since established itself across much of the North and South islands.
This beetle has a passion for chomping on some of our worst invasive weeds, particularly Californian thistle, it also has a passion for scotch, marsh, and nodding thistles.
As a specialist feeder, the green thistle beetle strips away the green tissue of the thistles leaves.
Because Californian thistle has a deep, creeping root system, mowing or spraying often backfires it stimulates dormant buds to send up even more prickly shoots.
Mother nature has clever defenses.
Recently Grahame put an observation on iNaturalist
This is a first observation of this species for Travis.
Another pair of willing hands or is that chompers for the Travis volunteer crew.
Article and image: Grahame
Conservation Volunteers
The morning of 6th November saw spades guards & plants organised by Ranger Mika awaiting our Volunteers.
Wearing their mud clothes and essential gumboots, their volunteer energy was amazing as they planted near the Cattle Yards.
Ducks quacked, stilts nearby squawked, pūkeko roamed at a safe distance, while a hawk checked out the availability of ducklings. Mānuka, flax, carex to name a few were ‘homed’ by this very enthusiastic, caring group all helping to improve the habitat at this special place. Once again, a huge thank you for Conservation Volunteers (which has its 20th Anniversary this year!) dedicated work.
Article: Eleanor Bissell
Annual General Meeting
October 2026
About 25 members attended the AGM last month. Here are the reports from president Colin Meurk and chairperson Sean Ward.
K C C. Experience Wonderful Worms at Travis Wetland
We were so fortunate to have Chris from the Council Learning Through Action team give up most of his Sunday to show families how to build a worm farm at home.
Enthusiastic families followed step by step instructions from Chris as they transformed empty 2 litre plastic bottles into ‘wormeries’ to take home. Ripped paper dipped in water, soil, suitable food, tiger worms, were all part of the process. Participants also made plaster of paris bird footprints, watched the swallows at the Bird Hide, then a first for most, close up on a totara branch, they viewed stick insect. An enjoyable morning of learning in sunshine.
Article and image: Eleanor Bissell
Newspapers wanted
Intact newspapers are in demand for covering the ground before mulching around planted areas. Our volunteers, including teams from IDEAS, are doing a great job keeping plants moist and suppressing weeds using this method.
We need whole newspapers, either in bags or tied with string. You can leave them on the doorstep of the Education Centre. Please no glossy colour magazines. Thank you !
Recent images from Ōruapaeroa Travis Wetland
