TRIP REPORT : Boulder Hill Key Native Ecosystem, Belmont Regional Park

 3 March 2002 :   Boulder Hill Key Native Ecosystem, Belmont Regional Park

This trip, postponed from November because of heavy rain, was in danger of further deferral as heavy showers fell overnight and only a slow clearance was forecast.   However, fourteen members were not deterred and met at Kelson.   After initial botanising in the KNE, some may have regretted coming when, on the exposed track we faced strong NW gusts and driving rain.   Descending into the shelter of the bush in the basin at the head of Speedys Stream, we botanised up the stream.

After lunch, we climbed, in sunshine, onto a grassy spur from which we traversed on an old benched track back to the Boulder Hill track.   In the bush by the stream, we were impressed by the abundant covering of bryophytes, and the variety of ferns, a total of 46 species, including the two additions to the list, Botrychium biforme and Blechnum procerum.   We also found another young Raukaua edgerleyii, about 2 m high, to add to the two previously found on the old benched track.   Near the junction with the Boulder Hill track in forest margin scrub, we noted a small population of Melicytus lanceolatus, before returning to the cars.   Although the weather was initially inclement, we gained a good appreciation of the species diversity and value of this important bush remnant.

Participants: Peter Beveridge (leader), Barbara Clark, Rae Collins, Philippa Crisp (Wellington Regional Council), Penny Currier, Jenny Dolton, Annette Furkert, Chris Horne, Ros Iles, Rodney Lewington, Barbara Mitcalfe (deputy leader), Lynne Pomare, Darea Sherrat, Julia White.

Peter Beveridge