Kia ora

Who owns the High Country?

Often during an ecotour in the high country I get to talk about the change in ownership which is taking place with the high country runs. The process is called Tenure review. It seeks to give the runholder  freehold title over a large part of the land they graze but restore to control land which has high natural and historic values. Where all the land is proposed for conservation the runholder is bought out. The process should be a win-win situation and we have seen an example of this in our area with the crown (though the Nature Heritage Fund) purchasing a large part of Clent Hills station. Most of the land was of little economic value for grazing but of high value for its natural history. Adjoining runholders were able to purchase the lower, developed pasture land. Unfortunately the process is not running as smoothly as it could with many runholders reluctant to enter into the review process. Their concern is that they, the runholders, are better stewards of the land than the crown could ever hope to be. There is a concern that weeds (such as wildling pines, broom, gorse, briar rose, hieracium) will get out of control once the runholder loses their right to occupancy. At Clent Hills, the first thing the Department of Conservation has done is to clear fell a rapidly spreading area of wildling pines which the lessee runholder had left for the past 30 years. Which just goes to show that whilst there are many runholders who have been excellent stewards of the land, who tried to exercise weed control, it was not universal. It also shows that there is a willingness within DoC to tackle the weed problems of the high country.

Winter & spring highlights

Snow & Ice

I enjoyed a 3 week curling season and made progress with my skills in the sport – which was compensation for a drastic drop in skill level at golf. 

The snow came later this year – and consequently the low air temperatures were later. Our biggest fall was 25 cm in mid August. At the end of September we

had a fall of 10 cm – exactly the same date as a late fall last year.

Norwesters = Spring

In late September we received the usual euqinoxal battering of Norwest winds. In my opinion the equinox marks the beginning of spring here – many bird species are nest building, coprosmas are flowering (not that you would notice if it wasn’t for the honey bees), daffodils come into flower and the grass is growing!! We also had a harvest moon. Wrong season, but same effect – rises soon after sunset and seems to extend dusk.

Annual mid winter bird survey

For the first time in many years the mid July bird survey was carried out in fine weather. Once again my beat was the south shore of Lake Heron and the scenery was outstanding. Snow to the lake shore, clear blue sky, outstanding reflections – apart form those parts of the lake which were frozen. Saw 7 crested grebes.

Tussock & Beech News

Blands Bluff

A number of you have visited Blands Bluff on Inverary Station. It is an impressive limestone outcrop which is the subject of a contentious application to establish a large lime quarry. I intend making a submission to oppose this. It will severely compromise the visual integrity of a significant landscape feature and certainly not enhance the experience of a Tussock & Beech ecotour. The bizarre aspect of this application is that neither of the landowners on whose land the quarry will be located wants a bar of it. An owner (of 13 years previous) has retained a mining right and wishes to exercise it. I see the increase in demand for agricultural lime as another consequence of the large scale of conversion of sheep and arable farms to dairying which is rampant on the Canterbury Plains. I would appreciate e-mails or letters of support for my submission, especially from those who have visited Blands Bluff.

Qualmark

We are now a Qualmarked  Endorsed Visitor Activity. The endorsement process has been a demanding but beneficial process.

Ivy

On 15 September we were blessed with our second granddaughter – Ivy Isobella. Great news, especially for Mary, Guy and Maia.

Natural History News

Bird observations

A lone kotuku (white heron) over-wintered in the Ashburton lakes and was frequently seen on our trips.

The Welcome Swallow is active around the lodge – they were away for only a month this winter – probably a reflection of a mild winter.

Nesting activity is full on in our native planting. The nesting box I made for Rifleman has the vacancy sign up. We are hoping for tenants.

Two first sightings (for me) were a Kaka at nearby Alford Forest and a pair of Black Fronted Dotterel at Russel Langdon’s Hawthorn Wood Nature Centre. (Both were photographed).

Have not yet seen my first Wrybill for the season, but Banded Dotterels and Black Fronted Terns are already present in good numbers in the Ashburton & Rangitata River beds.

Flora observations

The clematis, kowha, kohuhu and bush lawyer are well in flower in the bush. A number of mountain beech trees are flowering – we may be in for another mast year only one year after the last.

From the kitchen

Thai Corn Chowder

• 2 T  olive oil
• 1     onion diced
• 2    cloves garlic sliced
• 3    cm ginger sliced
• 1 t  ground coriander
• 1 t  ground cumin
• ½   red, green or yellow pepper diced
• 1        tin creamed corn
• 1   tin diced tomato or use fresh
• 1   tin coconut cream
• 1½ t sweet chilli sauce
• brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste
• thin with a little water

Heat oil in saucepan. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, then coriander, cumin and pepper. When flavours have been released add the rest of ingredients. Garnish - fresh coriander, shredded carrots or sliced red pepper.

Ka kite ano

Marita & Warren