Trip Report – 7 June 2014 :   Korokoro Stream, Belmont Regional Park

Leptostigma setulosa (left, round hairy leaves) and Crassula mataikona (right, narrow leaves).   Illustration: Eleanor Burton.

This area is early-phase regenerating bush with some open grassy areas along the stream.   We had a damp overcast day, and spent five hours botanising our way up upstream from the end of Stratton Street to where the track begins to climb to Middle Ridge.   For me, the highlight of the trip was a rocky outcrop about two thirds of the way up, with an interesting variety of herbs on it including Crassula mataikona, Leptostigma setulosa and Helichrysum filicaule.   Other good specimens found were Dicksonia fibrosa, an Olearia solandri about 2m tall, and a large Astelia fragrans near where we turned back.   There were a few concerning weeds in the area, including Hypericum androsaemum (tutsan), Acacia melanoxylon (Tasmanian blackwood) and Selaginella kraussiana.   Chris Horne noted that the pine plantation on the true left of the valley had gone.   We found some browse damage; there is no possum control in the area.   Goats are controlled annually, and the last survey (using ‘Judas’ goats to check for others) found no goats in the entire park, though the ranger said wild sheep may be present.   There is a well-established puriri planted outside the classroom/woolshed near the carpark; there was some concern raised that this might cause a weed problem.   Birds seen/heard on the trip were fantail, bellbird, grey warbler and tui.   We also found a weta hotel harbouring two weta and a large spider.

Participants :   Eleanor Burton (leader/scribe), Gavin Dench, Jill & Ian Goodwin, Chris Horne, Rodney Lewington, Pat McLean, Barbara Mitcalfe, Allan Munro, Lea Robertson, Darea Sherratt, Sunita Singh, and Mackie the dog.   We thank Pat Enright for providing plant lists for the park, and Jeremy Paterson (GWRC ranger) for access to the classroom and for information on the area.