All previous newsletters can be found here.
Work Day Reminder, September 19 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 somewhere around 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 last work day, 15th August
Despite an overcast south-westerly morning a keen group of 11 turned up to give a hand.
Ranger Matt had everything set up for our first task of planting low profile plants in cleared areas around the Beach Road car park. This was a perfect cool weather task and our efforts will enrich the area while maintaining an open and safe environment.
Task number 2 was planting Carex secta, mānuka and Coprosma propinqua in the swampy area between the information kiosk and the pūkeko statue. We hope that this will stabilise the water’s edge.
Our last job was to do some meticulous hand weeding of tall grass from amongst nearby Muehlenbeckia at the children’s play area. Regular weekday volunteers decreed that this tedious task should be for 30 minutes only, so we headed for early refreshments in the warmth of the Ed Centre. Thanks everyone.
Article: Sue Britain and images: Dave Evans and Sue Britain
Plan for Travis Swamp 30 years ago
The Christchurch Star, dated Wednesday the 15 of December 1997 reported on the Council’s plans to develop the Travis Swamp under the banner headline of “Vision of plant, wildlife haven takes shape”. A draft plan for the $2 million development of Travis Swamp had been released and residents were asked for feedback. Produced by the council’s parks unit the draft Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park Landscape Development Plan provided direction for the restoration and enhancement activities at the wetland for at least 10 years. Christchurch City Council planner Eric Banks expected there to be many submissions and was quoted as saying: “We are very keen to have public involvement in the process and are sure that this will confirm our expectations that this plan will provide an exciting natural heritage project for present and future generations.”
The plan included setting aside areas of open grassland to provide bird habitat (specifically for pūkeko) planting of indigenous forest to attract bush birds, and a central ponding area for waterfowl. There would be a network of tracks including boardwalks, a bird hide and visitor centre. The Canterbury Regional Council pledged $35,000 towards the visitor centre, the Stout Trust $20,000 for a viewing platform and the Forest and Bird society $10,000 towards walkways and bird hides. It was envisaged that as well as increasing natural habitat, the area would become a major education resource in the city and could well have ecotourism spinoffs.
Nearly 30 years on the vision for Travis Swamp has been truly realised.
Article: Denise Ford
Fern of Many Names
At our recent workday we planted numerous vigorous specimens of the fern Zealandia pustulata (previous genus Microsorum). This fern can be epiphytic or scramble across the ground or rocks. It is found from coastal to montane zones, likes some shade with air circulation and is drought tolerant. Its common names include Kangaroo Fern and Hound’s Tongue Fern.
Mature fronds are large, green and glossy with distinctive segments that do not extend all the way to the midrib. Fronds connect to scaly, succulent rhizomes that that can grow into new plants if broken off.
This fern is adaptable, resilient and ecologically important. It helps to stabilise soil and rock and acts as a shelter for small plants and invertebrates.
Z. pustulata has several Maori names including Kōwaowao and Pāraharaha. Young fronds may be eaten raw or cooked as greens. They also impart extra flavour when used to line or cover cooking baskets in a hangi.
Sources: Wikipedia, NZ Plant Conservation Network, NZ Native Plants
Article and images: Sue Britain
Snippets from the Rangers
Significant species seen in the recent bird survey were 2 Black fronted dotterels in the paddock behind the cattle yards, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Bittern and 2 Cape Barren Geese.
The rangers have had Bird flu training. The hazardous material suit requirements for dealing with suspected casualty birds is something that is very confronting.
Some tree limbs from Bottle Lake are to be set aside for bird roost/logs at Ōruapaeroa Travis Wetland. It will be a mission delivering them to the paddocks
Ranger Matt is looking at replacing the bike stand near the Beach Rd car park with 4 horseshoe style racks, a style commonly installed around the city. This would allow for 8 bikes to be locked to them. The current low-profile stand only works for bikes with skinny tyres and provides very little support for the bike, making a bent wheel a big risk of using it.
Excerpts from ranger Matt Rose’s report to the Trust’s board meeting in August.
Bird of the Year, Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau
We hope Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau helps to raise awareness for our native wildlife, their habitats, and the threats they face. Tragically, many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s native species are in danger of becoming extinct, 8 out of every 10 in fact, so they need all the recognition they can get.
To vote, head to birdoftheyear.org.nz
You might like to vote for the Royal spoonbill (Kōtuku ngutupapa). There’s already a small flock of them gathering for the breeding season in their favourite tree near the Frosts/Travis Rd roundabout. Or the secretive Australasian bittern (Matuku-hūrepo), which also lurks at Ōruapaeroa.
Article: Dave Evans
Event tomorrow night
Urban Naturing: Christchurch Conversation
Tuesday 15 September, 6.00pm – 7.30pm, TSB Space, Level 1, Tūranga (or join online)
This free public event will bring together a panel of speakers to discuss what biodiversity looks like in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the challenges facing native species, and how we can work together to support nature in urban environments. Speakers include Makarini Rupene (Environment Canterbury), Vicki Connor (Department of Conservation), Colin Meurk ONZM, and Jade Gibson, with former Mayor Lianne Dalziel chairing the discussion.
A great opportunity to hear different perspectives on urban biodiversity and connect with others who are passionate about helping nature flourish in our city.
This is a free public event, but bookings are required.
This is being organised by the Estuary Trust, together with F&B and BirdsNZ. Experts will inform and encourage the public to observe and connect with birds at three locations around the Estuary.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by taking part in a bird count. Visit three sites, recording bird species and numbers.
Sites are:
- McCormacks Bay – McCormacks Bay Rd, opposite Soleares Ave
- Windsurf Area Carpark- Humphries Drive, Ferrymead
- Bridge Street, Godwit Sculpture Carpark, South Brighton.
A checklist and guide will be available at each site, you can visit each site in any order.
Dress warmly, bring a pen and binoculars if you have them otherwise we will have some to borrow.
Email info@estuary.org.nz with any enquiries
All ages welcome
Recent images from Ōruapaeroa Travis Wetland
