wetland rainbow - Travis Wetland - Christchurch - New Zealand
Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park is a lowland freshwater wetland, located in the midst of an urban environment with opportunities to see many bird species and plant communities.
The wetland covers 116 hectares of recently retired land surrounded by urban subdivision, and was purchased by the Christchurch City Council in 1996 in response to public demand. Previously farmed and drained, the area is now being managed as a Nature Heritage Park.
Fifty-five species of birds, including 35 natives, have been recorded at the wetland. Travis is the most important freshwater wetland for birds in Christchurch, supporting about half the total Christchurch pukeko population. An indigenous skink, the native short-fined eel and possibly the Canterbury mudfish are present in the wetland. Travis also supports healthy populations of a diverse variety of insects. As the diversity of habitat develops, additional species are expected to occur.
The presence of introduced pests such as cats, rats, stoats, ferrets and hedgehogs have a negative effect on birds, lizards and invertebrates. Monitoring and control programmes are carried out to control these pests.
wetland rainbow - Travis Wetland - Christchurch - New Zealand
Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park is a lowland freshwater wetland, located in the midst of an urban environment with opportunities to see many bird species and plant communities.
The wetland covers 116 hectares of recently retired land surrounded by urban subdivision, and was purchased by the Christchurch City Council in 1996 in response to public demand. Previously farmed and drained, the area is now being managed as a Nature Heritage Park.
Fifty-five species of birds, including 35 natives, have been recorded at the wetland. Travis is the most important freshwater wetland for birds in Christchurch, supporting about half the total Christchurch pukeko population. An indigenous skink, the native short-fined eel and possibly the Canterbury mudfish are present in the wetland. Travis also supports healthy populations of a diverse variety of insects. As the diversity of habitat develops, additional species are expected to occur.
The presence of introduced pests such as cats, rats, stoats, ferrets and hedgehogs have a negative effect on birds, lizards and invertebrates. Monitoring and control programmes are carried out to control these pests.