Website launch for Birdsong Project

The proof of strong community backing for the Birdsong Project in the Scargill Motunau Recreational Reserve was illustrated by the good number of volunteers contributing their time and energy at the two planting days held recently.

On one Sunday in July, 26 local volunteers gathered at the Reserve, putting 200 plants in the ground and lending their hand to other jobs, adding to the 160 that were planted a couple of weeks earlier.

The volunteers said a favourite part of the day was people of all ages joining in, from youngsters who enjoyed the learning experience, to more senior members of the community who had planted trees in the Reserve 50 years ago.

Co-Chair of Birdsong Trust and local farmer Jo Loe said much care has been taken to only plant species that would have flourished in the landscape before humans arrived, creating a place where birds and other native ‘critters’ will thrive, and people will be able to connect with nature in ways that are meaningful and enjoyable.

The Project’s website, thebirdsongtrust.com has been launched, to provide information about The Birdsong Trust and developments. It has information about the species that have been planted, the Reserve, plans the Trust has for the future, and much more.

Loe said the website will be constantly evolving, a place she hopes people and enthusiasts will keep going back to.

“We have been extremely luck to have expertise within this group to reap such valuable resources.”

Local art-talent James Fraser created the website’s logo, based around the icon of a Kereru sitting atop a spade.

“He said the spade represented community invovlelment, and the Kereru the possible result of this great community effort.”

Hurunui District Council’s Land and Water coordinator Rima Herber has been helping out at the planting days and offering advice about biodiversity. She described the Council’s Reserve as the perfect home for such a wonderful community investment, a beautiful destination with tracks though mature oak and redwood forests, extensive stands of various conifers, and a view point across the Scargill Valley to the mountaiins beyond.

“There is the hope to get thousands of plants in the ground,” said Herber.

A big planting day will be on Sunday August 13th, starting at 9:30am. A BBQ lunch will be provided