Environment – Celebrating nature’s champions 

With the Paralympic games about to start this week, here on the Hibiscus Coast spring is already off the starting blocks. 

Did you know that we have some record breakers that visit us each year? The bar-tailed godwit/kuaka flies non-stop from its breeding grounds in Alaska all the way to New Zealand every September to spend the summer feeding? That’s 12,000 km and represents the non-stop longest migration of any bird – and they can be seen at Ōrewa Estuary and Okoromai Bay in Shakespear Regional Park. As you can imagine, they are thin and weak after that flight, and this species is declining due to habitat loss and predation, so dog walkers take care – I know I won’t be letting my crazy puppy anywhere near where they roost!

We are also fortunate to have the two largest species of native trees living here too – the kahikatea, New Zealand’s tallest tree, known to grow over 60 metres, and the kauri. They are both found in Ōrewa, especially in one of our most special reserves, Alice Eaves Bush where an 800 year old kauri can be found. The kahikatea likes wetland swamp areas, and many were cleared for farming, fortunately there are still ancient trees out there, living up to 500 years old. Māori used their berries as an important food source, and birds enjoy feasting on them in the autumn – providing we prevent possums from getting there first. Look out for their small orange cones in spring too. 

We all love it when sports people make a come-back, and in nature it’s no different. Out on local waters, you will find Aotearoa’s rarest mainland duck, the pāteke/brown teal. Found in the wetlands at Shakespear, they are vulnerable to predation, habitat loss and dry weather conditions that reduce food availability. However there is good news for these cute little dabbling ducks, as their population is now classified as increasing thanks to conservation efforts around the country. We can see evidence of that here with successful breeding at Shakespear, and a small group now becoming resident at Gulf Harbour Country Club –another reason for our community to protect this important green space. 

In the race to flower first and attract pollinating insects and birds, the karo tree often wins the medal with its deep red, bell-like blooms, followed closely by kōwhai, especially on Tiritiri Mātangi Island where the coastal variety planted there puts on a spectacular show much earlier than on the mainland. 

What natural wonder will take the gold for you this spring? 

Look out for our Forest & Bird talks coming up, starting with Dylan van Winkel on reptiles, on September 4, see What’s On for details. 

I would also like to acknowledge the exceptional work of retiring Hibiscus Matters editor Terry Moore in raising awareness of conservation issues, and supporting those of us working and volunteering to protect the natural environment of the Hibiscus Coast.