NATURE NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 65, 18 March 1933, Page 9

NATURE NOTES

MUCH DAMAGE BY STOCK

PRESERVATION OP

RESERVES

(By E. H. D. Stidolph, K.A.0.U.)

The Manunui Domain, on the banks of the Wanganui Biver, near. Taumarunui, provides a good example of the evil effects of allowing browsing animals free access to the native forest. This reserve contains some very fine examples of forest trees and a wealth of beautiful tree ferns, but unfortunately the policy of the board of control is decidedly detrimental to the welfare of the native vegetation, as large numbers of sheep aro allowed to pasture within the reserve. As a consequence much of the young grofwth is destroyed, the soft spongy nature of the- forest floor is transformed into a hardened barren surface and when this process is carried to a certain degree natural regeneration ceases and in course of time the forest dies out. " If the present policy of the Afanunui Domain Board is continued the fate of the bush on this reserve is doomed. As a contrast ; the condition, of the Batapihipihi Eeserve, near New Plymouth, provides an impressive example of how the native forest can be restored and saved froni destruction. Thirty years ago,, when stock were allowed free access to tha bush, the same conditions now apparent at Manunui were to be seen. Sincß this area has been taken over as a reserve and steps taken to totally exclude stock the bush has re-established itself to ,a remarkable degree, so that almost all traces of the ravages of stock have disappeared. Moreover, it is a living bush, as natural regeneration is proceeding profusely and healthily. \ Areas of bush on. both private and Crown" land can be seen throughout the Dominion in a, sickly or.dying condition, owing to the depredations of stock. A mere glance at many areas is sufficient to determine its healthfulness. It seems a great pity that many very beautiful areas of native forest, set apart as scenic reserves, are allovred to be damaged by stock. The Department responsible is obviously most sympathetic towards their preservation and does what is possible with little or no funds to adequately protect these areas. In some cases where a scenic board or a responsible author ity has taken over the control of reserves these are exceptionally well cared for and the bush is, in many. cases, in an excellent state of preservation, but there are large numbers of reserves. which are left more-or less to their own fate. Local residents in many parts of the country hays as* sumed honorary inspectorships to. give some attention to the welfare of ths reserves, but little can" be, done unless ' these are. securely fenced to prevent damage by stock. Under the prevailing economic conditions no funds are available for such, purposes. Prob.ibly, the best-ultimate solution of the difficulty would be the creation of. a national trust fund, the income from which could be administered by a board for the preservation and protection of the many beautiful reserves -which are now menaced. They are wprthy'-of' a full measure of protection and every. year sees the damage sadly aggravated. Both native and introduced birds inhabit the Manunui Domain. One of the most notable of the native species 13 the whitehead, which is well distributed throughout- the Wellington district in the interior. Its lively notes brighten the joys of this pleasant spot, while in the smaller tiroes the cheery grey warbler trills merrily. ■ Bright and gay the tomtit lilts away intervals between feeding times and the fussy little pied fantail darts and dives after minute insects. The tui wings its way with clumsy flight from tree ■to treej always in search of a meal'of luscious nectar. The silver-eye gives voice to its ringing notes. Two nests of this little Australian colonist were seen, one in a totara, towards.the end of a branch and the other in a myrtle. The harrier,'-wandering over the adjacent countryside, passes on its way over the domain and at night the morepork i 3 heard calling with its familiar cry. On. the occasion of a visit paid to the domain in January a " kalsa , was heard early one morning and at dusk the cry, of a solitary -weka was noted, but this must have come from a bird on the other side of the Wanganui Elver, ,a3 no wekas were seen in the reserve nor anywhere during the whole of an extensive tour through the Wellington and Taranaki districts. The usual range of introduced birds is to be seen in the domain, the most numerous at the time of • these observations being the greenfinch. Another conspicuou3 alien is the Californian quail,' an attractive and pretty little bird which, occurs in most parts of the Wellington district. A mile or so from Okahukura, on the road to Matiere, the highway passes through a really magnificent area of native- forest fortunately a' scenic reserve, and in a splendid state of pre; servation. Native ■ birds are fairly ■ numerous in this reserve, such species as the tui, bell-bird, tomtit, long-tailed cuckflo, shining cuckoo, grey warbler, silvr eye, pigeon, b.ush' hawk, and .whitehead being represented, some in good numbers. 'In the 'adjoining open, country' are numbers of harriers and pipits, not to mention the introduced - birds.