Ashley popular with picnickers

Press, 26 December 1986, Page 10

Ashley popular with picnickers

Covering an area of 15,487 ha, Ashley State Forest lies--11 km north of Rangiora on downland and the foothills of Mt Grey. Although the forest is managed principally for the production of exotic timber, 970 ha of native bush on, and to the west of, Mt Grey have been set aside for recreation activities. Picnicking, walking, tramping, and hunting are popular pursuits for day visitors, while roads and tracks through plantation areas attract car rally and trail bike enthusiasts. Ashley Forest is reached by following the main road north from Rangiora to Loburn and taking the first turn right over the Ashley River. This turn-off is clearly marked by AA signposts. The approach to Ashley Forest Headquarters is via Marshmans and Clarks Roads. Vehicle access within the forest is by permit only. These can be obtained by calling at the forest headquarters on week days or the duty officer’s house at week-ends. Both the Grey River and Lake Janet Picnic Areas are accessible via Mt Grey Road. Car parking and picnic facilities are available at both sites. No vehicle entry permit is necessary to reach the Lake Janet Picnic Area if access is made via Cramptons Bush Road from Amberley. LANDSCAPE The forest is an integral part of the backdrop to the Canterbury Plains. Beginning at the upper edge of farmland where the land begins to rise, it extends to the top of Mt Grey (920 m above sea level). The landscape affords a diversity of experiences for the visitor. The dense stands of conifers on the lower slopes contrast with vast open spaces and broad vistas. Deep, damp gullies of beech contrast with drier open ridges of conifers. Of the forest’s total area,

9096 ha are stocked with exotics. Radiata pine and Douglas fir are the main species planted up to 700 m above sea level, while stands of hardy Bishop and Corsican pine have been established at higher altitudes. The 970 ha of native torrest in the vicinity of Mt Grey is a remnant of the original land cover, large areas of which were destroyed by natural fires and burning, both before and after European settlement. At lower altitudes the dominant forest cover is black beech, containing areas of rimu, kahikatea, and matai on the wetter slopes. Tree ferns are also present in the valleys. There is a progression from black beech to red beech at moderate altitudes. The mixed beech-podo-carp forest of the lower slopes eventually gives way to mountain beech, and on the highest points, to subalpine scrub species, snow tussock, and alpine herbs. PICNIC AREAS There are four developed picnic areas within the forest boundaries. These are located along the Grey River, at Lake Janet, adjacent to the old fire lookout, and opposite the Forest Service headquarters. All sites have picnic tables, and except for the headquarters site, there are toilet facilities available. Access is via Mt Grey Road. Ashley Forest provides a range of walking tracks, most of which are contained within Mt Grey Bush. All tracks in the forest are suitable for active or fit families. They are wellformed, marked, and signposted. The short walks around the Grey River Picnic Area are pleasant walks for persons of all ages and levels of fitness. Walking times are approximate and estimated for the return trip. They may vary with party size and levels of fitness.

BIRDLIFE There is a variety of birds in the forest. Fantails, bell-, birds, greywarblers, riflemen, and chaffinches are readily visible and can often be located by listening for their call. The redpoll, greenfinch, and goldfinch tend to keep to the upper canopy and are rarely seen, although they are very vocal. The native wood pigeon can be heard more often than seen as it flaps noisily over the bush, while the migratory shining cuckoo makes its presence known with its distinctive call.