Observation pond for Willowbank

Press, 25 August 1986, Page 28

Observation pond for Willowbank

(By MICHAEL WILLIS) Usually, the opportunity to come eyeball to eyeball with giant salmon and trout is an experience enjoyed only by underwater divers, and there are few who venture into our icy rivers and lakes.

This opportunity, however, can now be shared by everyone as some of the initial work of a comprehensive fish display is completed at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve or the August holidays.

The first pond to be completed is the one holding large, mature display fish; and these have been made even more impressive by the provision of an underwater chamber which enables visitors to 1 step down below pond level and see the fish swimming past the glass windows.

It is only from this angle that the shapes and colours of the various species become apparent. The beauty of these fish, as they pass by, can be quite breathtaking.

It is interesting to be able to view these fish from such a wide variety of aspects, ranging from high above the water to deep within the pond, and it is expected that with constant feeding, many of the fish will become tame. The water level of the viewing windows has been purposely set at such a level as to enable visitors to look along the physical barrier of the pond’s surface to appreciate the merging of the two worlds. This is wonderfully illustrated by a duck floating serenely past, while its legs are going around like Catherinewheels underneath the water.

Past the observation pool is a tunnel through the hill, at present roped while construction and

landscaping continues beyond, where more display ponds are being prepared.

Truckloads of pungas, tonnes of huge rocks, and hundreds of native trees and shrubs are going into forming this display, which will be only part of a completely new development at Willowbank depicting New Zealand wildlife.

Also being constructed are a huge walk-through alpine aviary for keas and other birds, another walkthrough aviary over the pre-European Maori village, and a natural bush setting for a kiwi display.