Pegasus Post: August 20, 2020

6 Thursday August 20 2020
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
PEGASUS POST
News
Students part of planting project
HIGH SCHOOL students across
the city have planted thousands
of native trees in part of New
Brighton’s red zone this year and
plan to add another 10,000 over
the next four years.
An additional planting day has
been planned for the end of the
month, where the students will
add a further 1100 native trees
and plants at Chimera Cres.
The students, who will be
joined with members from
the local community, are from
Shirley Boys’ High, Avonside
Girls’ High, Christchurch Girls’
High, Linwood College, Rawhiti
School, Heaton Intermediate,
Christ’s College, St Margaret’s
College, Rangi Ruru Girls’
School, St Andrew’s College and
Cathedral Grammar.
Head of physics at Christ’s
College David Newton is responsible
for leading the ambitious
project which began last year.
“Over the next four years we’re
going to complete the current
area we’re working on, plant the
QE II Adventure Nature Trail
and start another large block
which is currently under negotiation
with the Christchurch
City Council,” he said.
The planting was an opportunity
for the students to practically
realise the “positive impact”
they can have on the community,
and the planet, by contributing
their part.
“Our work will grow a forest
that will be a lasting memorial
for their efforts,” he said.
“It demonstrates the power
ordinary people have to
change our city, country and
the planet by helping mitigate
climate change and increasing
biodiversity.”
Twenty different species of
native trees and grasses will be
planted, including pittosporum,
ake ake, totara, flax, carex secta,
and lophomyrtus.
Said Newton: “We’ve selected
these plants to provide both
habitat and food for native birds
and lizards. We want to see more
native birds in Christchurch,
and this is a huge opportunity to
plant a forest that runs as a green
spine through the city.
“The best thing you can do
to encourage native birdlife
back to the city is to plant
trees that become a year-round
supply of bird food.”
DIGGING DEEP:
Led by Christ’s
College head of
physics teacher
David Newton,
students
from high
schools across
Christchurch
helped plant
thousands of
native trees in
New Brighton’s
red zone.
Newton welcomes help from
the community if they have an
hour or two to spare.
He urges people to bring their
own spades, but that tools were
available for use if needed.
The replanting work is being
undertaken in conjunction with
city council parks and Land
Information New Zealand.
Tanya Jenkins
is the manager
of the Avon-
Heathcote
Estuary
Ihutai Trust,
a non-profit
organisation formed in 2002 to
protect one of New Zealand’s
most important coastal wetlands.
Each week she introduces a
new bird found in the estuary.
Her column aims to raise the
understanding of the values and
uniqueness of the area.
THE LITTLE Cormorant/
Kawau paka is one of several
cormorant species found
around the estuary and lower
reaches of our rivers.
Who doesn’t enjoy watching
these birds sitting along the
estuary, or perched in trees
along river banks with their
wings spread out? But why do
they do this?
Cormorants dive under
water to catch their prey but
BIRDS OF THE ESTUARY
Little cormorant is a masterful fish hunter
unlike non-diving birds their
feathers are not as waterproof
which allows them to dive in
the first place.
It does mean, however, that
they need to ‘spread their
wings and tail feathers” to dry
out after each meal, or they
would lose their body temperature.
It’s amazing how nature
provides for all the different
needs of different birds.
The little cormorants have
been observed eating up to 30
small eels and fish each day. It
must be a tough life having to
fish, then dry out that many
times a day.
How can we help the
cormorant numbers to thrive?
Keep dogs on the lead when
walking along riverbanks and
the estuary edge.
Dogs are a huge threat to
birds needing to nest, rest and
feed in peace.
Little Cormorant
(Kawau paka ​)