We're working hard on the Natural Habitat Restoration for the Wairau Plain programme.
Tui and other native birds would once have been common on the Wairau Plain and around Marlborough. Before humans arrived the Plain was covered in a mix of swamp forest, dryland forest and large flax wetlands, all of which would have been teeming with native birds and animals. While tui are occasionally seen in Marlborough during winter, they are not common anymore because there is very little suitable habitat and food available for them.
Thanks to Jane Hunter’s environmental awareness and foresight the extensive native garden planted autumn 2000 at Hunter’s has been attracting a number of Tui over the past few years. Now each winter and spring the gardens attract quite a populace of these birds along with a number of other native species.
Recently the Marlborough District Council opened up a register for sightings of Tui on the Wairau Plain; happily Hunter’s were able to report their seasonal inhabitants.
