For comparisson, this was just outside the fence to the reserve, nothing but grass, hills, and cows

Lake Rotokare Reserve

January 31, 2019 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

What a place. The reserve is completely contrasting to the surrounding farmland. It‘s amazing what people will destroy to graze cattle. A heartening story of a community driven effort to preserve this wetland ecosystem.
Birds: Tui, Kereru, Fantail, Hihi, Toutouwai, Tieki, Black Shag?, Australian Magpie, Quail, le’duck-ducks, (red-billed Black Swan things), Pukekos, (small white/black/grey and red head things), (cormorant thing)
Plants: Mamaku (Black tree fern), White pine, Wheki, Kawakawa, Karaka, silver tree fern, Nīkau, Raupō, Harakeke (swamp flax), Rangiora, Rewarewa (New Zealand Honeysuckle).Read more