A visit to Carter Scenic Reserve for World Wetlands Day

Looking through the rushes from the boardwalk to dead kāhikatea tree trunks with tōtara and ti kouka in the distance.

In anticipation of World Wetlands Day today (2 Feb), earlier in the week we added a visit to a wetland in and among our stops at various wineries around Martinborough. The wetland of choice was Carter Scenic Reserve, located in the back-blocks of Carterton. The nominal 30 minute walk stretched to an hour and a half, despite the blistering 30C heat, because it was a truly lovely and interesting spot. I hope you enjoy these photos and that they inspire you to visit one of your local wetlands.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/wairarapa/places/carter-scenic-reserve/
#worldwetlandsday #artofbirding2018 #artofbirdingweek5

A mix of kāhikatea, tōtara, and ti kouka amongst grasslands.

Tall things...

The reserve is a mix of wetland, grass and shrubland, and lowland forest. The trees of note are kāhikatea and tōtara, with many towering trunks, many dead, as water flow has changed in recent years killing off these stately trees, presumably due to surrounding land use. I can only speculate that there is a correlation between this change and the intensive irrigation seen in surrounding dairy farms. DOC, however, look like they're doing a fantastic job regenerating the area and propagating and planting many natives.

Little things...

Grasslands with wetland in the distance - this is on a side path through the field to the river stop-bank.

Linton and Vanya on the boardwalk through the wetlands.

We spotted native tūī, pīwakawaka (fantail), and kahu (harrier hawk) as well as green finches, but I got no photos of note. This reserve is all about the landscape. Well worth a visit, with easy flat walking on a dirt track, field (with one stile if you want to go to the end), and a boardwalk. There is also a long-drop for the brave. Do say Hi to the gorgeous highland cattle in the field next to the carpark!

The word on the street (field!) is "Moo!"

Nearby is the lovely Johner Wineries - a suitable reward for our intrepid journey! LOL