Did you know the only Christchurch City Council aviary is in Woodham Park?
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“Woodham Park comprises three major lawns, bordered by shrubs, and a variety of specimen trees in the English park style.
The large collection of expansive mature trees include specimens of Daimio oak, trembling poplar, Chinese wingnut and slippery elm.
The borders feature excellent examples of laurel and yew hedges, a variety of herbaceous plants interspersed with hydrangeas and camellias, and an outstanding collection of rhododendrons.
The Park boasts the only aviary operated by the City Council, housing specimens of Java sparrow, ring-necked dove, native and exotic parakeet, quail and various finches.
There is also a safe, sheltered children’s playground with paddling pool and extensive play area.”
https://www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/gardens-and-heritage-parks/woodham-park
Woodham Park is a 2 hectare garden & heritage park, and although it is 130m from the ‘Red Zone Futures’ area, I think it should be included as a bird sanctuary/butterfly habitat.
A sanctuary/habitat in Woodham Park, could be a great educational resource for our locals and visitors to Christchurch.
This attraction would also compliment my “River Bank Centre” idea, which is based at Avonside Girls’.
More food source plants could be planted to increase the population of our native birds and butterflies in Woodham Park.
An enclosed smaller size version of the Woodham Park Summer House, could be created as a butterfly house, to have a live display showing the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly.
Educational signage could be added to help identify and learn about the different birds and butterflies that call Woodham Park home.
“End of a Monarchy? Jacqui Knight is worried. The founder of the Monarch Butterfly New Zealand trust has just driven from Dunedin to Picton and is concerned at how few monarch butterflies she has seen.
Monarch butterflies are considered to be good indicator of the health of the environment. They are much easier to see than other insects.
We might be looking out at hundreds of bees and other insects but don’t see them unless they’re up close. Will we notice them if they disappear altogether?”
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1803/S00345/end-of-a-monarchy.htm
Links
– Forest & Bird: How to Identify New Zealand Birds
– Forest & Bird: Native Plants that Attract Birds
– Forest & Bird: How to Feed Native Birds in your Garden
– Christchurch Daily Photo: Monarchs in Woodham Park
– Forest & Bird: How to Attract Butterflies to your Garden
– Great examples of NZ butterfly habitat
– Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust: Educational Resources