Black swan juveniles
Photographed at the ponds in the Styx Mill Conservation reserve.
Native to Australia, Black Swans are primarily black-feathered birds, with white flight feathers. The bill is bright red, with a pale bar and tip; and legs and feet are greyish-black. Cobs (males) are slightly larger than pens (females), with a longer and straighter bill. Cygnets (immature birds) are a greyish-brown with pale-edged feathers.
A mature Black Swan measures between 110 and 142 cm (43-56 in) in length and weighs 3.7–9 kg (8.1-20 lbs). Its wing span is between 1.6 and 2 metres (5.3-6.5 ft). The neck is long (relatively the longest neck among the swans) and curved in an "S"-shape.
The Black Swan utters a musical and far reaching bugle-like sound, called either on the water or in flight, as well as a range of softer crooning notes. It can also whistle, especially when disturbed while breeding and nesting.
The Black Swan's preferred habitat extends across fresh, brackish and salt water lakes, swamps and rivers with underwater and emergent vegetation for food and nesting materials. Permanent wetlands are preferred, including ornamental lakes, but Black Swans can also be found in flooded pastures and tidal mudflats, and occasionally on the open sea near islands or the shore.
Before the arrival of the Māori in New Zealand, a subspecies of the Black Swan known as the New Zealand Swan had developed in the islands, but was apparently hunted to extinction. In 1864, the Australian Black Swan was introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental waterfowl, and populations are now common on larger coastal or inland lakes, especially Rotorua Lakes, Lake Wairarapa and Lake Ellesmere, and the Chatham Islands. Black Swans have also naturally flown to New Zealand, leading scientists to consider them a native rather than exotic species, although the present population appears to be largely descended from deliberate introductions.
The Styx Mill Conservation Reserve is approximately 57 hectares, extending along the Styx River for nearly 1.6km. The reserve forms part of the natural river corridor associated with the Styx River and provides a diversity of site conditions and opportunities.
When Maori lived in this area the extensive wetlands and easy access to the sea made the Styx an important area for mahinga kai (food gathering) and for the cultivation and harvesting of flax.
During European settlement the area was used for a number of purposes including sheep farming. The river was used to drive waterwheels and provided an important source of power for sawmills, flaxmills, and flourmills.
The Styx Mill Conservation Reserve area came into public ownership in the 1970s. Development began in the 1980s. Today the community plays an important role in the future developments of the reserve. This is to ensure that this natural resource provides enjoyment for our community and its ecological values are retained and further enhanced.
A wide variation of ground conditions allows for a wide range of vegetation throughout the reserve.
At the drier western end largely exotic plants tolerant of silty ground conditions have been planted. In the central lakes area, a stronger native theme emerges. To the east mainly native wetland species are encouraged.
The Reserve contains several locally uncommon species.
Black swan juveniles
Photographed at the ponds in the Styx Mill Conservation reserve.
Native to Australia, Black Swans are primarily black-feathered birds, with white flight feathers. The bill is bright red, with a pale bar and tip; and legs and feet are greyish-black. Cobs (males) are slightly larger than pens (females), with a longer and straighter bill. Cygnets (immature birds) are a greyish-brown with pale-edged feathers.
A mature Black Swan measures between 110 and 142 cm (43-56 in) in length and weighs 3.7–9 kg (8.1-20 lbs). Its wing span is between 1.6 and 2 metres (5.3-6.5 ft). The neck is long (relatively the longest neck among the swans) and curved in an "S"-shape.
The Black Swan utters a musical and far reaching bugle-like sound, called either on the water or in flight, as well as a range of softer crooning notes. It can also whistle, especially when disturbed while breeding and nesting.
The Black Swan's preferred habitat extends across fresh, brackish and salt water lakes, swamps and rivers with underwater and emergent vegetation for food and nesting materials. Permanent wetlands are preferred, including ornamental lakes, but Black Swans can also be found in flooded pastures and tidal mudflats, and occasionally on the open sea near islands or the shore.
Before the arrival of the Māori in New Zealand, a subspecies of the Black Swan known as the New Zealand Swan had developed in the islands, but was apparently hunted to extinction. In 1864, the Australian Black Swan was introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental waterfowl, and populations are now common on larger coastal or inland lakes, especially Rotorua Lakes, Lake Wairarapa and Lake Ellesmere, and the Chatham Islands. Black Swans have also naturally flown to New Zealand, leading scientists to consider them a native rather than exotic species, although the present population appears to be largely descended from deliberate introductions.
The Styx Mill Conservation Reserve is approximately 57 hectares, extending along the Styx River for nearly 1.6km. The reserve forms part of the natural river corridor associated with the Styx River and provides a diversity of site conditions and opportunities.
When Maori lived in this area the extensive wetlands and easy access to the sea made the Styx an important area for mahinga kai (food gathering) and for the cultivation and harvesting of flax.
During European settlement the area was used for a number of purposes including sheep farming. The river was used to drive waterwheels and provided an important source of power for sawmills, flaxmills, and flourmills.
The Styx Mill Conservation Reserve area came into public ownership in the 1970s. Development began in the 1980s. Today the community plays an important role in the future developments of the reserve. This is to ensure that this natural resource provides enjoyment for our community and its ecological values are retained and further enhanced.
A wide variation of ground conditions allows for a wide range of vegetation throughout the reserve.
At the drier western end largely exotic plants tolerant of silty ground conditions have been planted. In the central lakes area, a stronger native theme emerges. To the east mainly native wetland species are encouraged.
The Reserve contains several locally uncommon species.