A bird flies over the farmlands and rivers of North Canterbury and sees from afar, tall trees, with a meandering waterway flowing between. As the kererū flies down, it begins to hear the voices of numerous birds, the clatter of cabbage tree leaves in the wind and the sounds of people playing.

This is a place to land, to feed, to recover from a long flight and maybe even to stay and breed. There are berries, flowers and the new sprigs of kowhai to nourish the kererū as it explores the lush forest and discovers more of its kin amongst the forest trees, gobbling up the fruit of tall tōtara, mātai and kahikatea.

In the sunlight butterflies and numerous insects can be seen, with piwakawaka swooping amongst them, catching insects in mid-air, chirping all the while. Several tūi create a noisy flurry as they hurtle between branches in a game of chase that the other birds ignore as they go about the more serious business of finding food for the young in their nests. A heron lifts off from the water, it’s elegant flight at odds with its primeval croaking call, ready to replace its mate on the nest having eaten his fill of small fish in the stream.

Birds share the forest and wetland with constant human visitors, who walk in wonder amongst the bird-filled trees, whose children play in the stream, and who return time and time again to be rejuvenated by Birdsong.

… Starting near the entrance to the reserve, the first year has seen tracks developed, bridges put in across the stream and 2000 new native plants in the ground. The same number or more are planned for 2024. A considerable philanthropic donation will ensure that planting will continue for a long time into the future.

School students, community members and volunteers will continue to help with the planting project and predator control, and the Trust Members will work to source further funds to keep the project going for decades to come. There is potential to plant out the stream/wetland system for the two and a half kilometres to Scargill village.

This year’s plan is to plant another 2000 or more native plants, mainly in the areas started on last year, filling in gaps and expanding the existing plantings.