Human Birds
The Friends of Maara Roa in Cannons Creek, Belmont Regional Park, invite you to be a Human Bird.
In our "Human Birds" programme, we imitate the birds — but you’ll be pleased to know you don’t have to eat the seeds!
During 2010 we have scheduled dates to collect and prepare seed, make seedballs, and throw the seedballs - refer to our Activities and Dates webpage.
In previous years the Kiwi Conservation Club kids and their families have pioneered this programme for us:
What's the Human Bird Programme all about?
In our New Zealand native forests, native birds are the agents of a great percentage of the regeneration of the trees.
There are many species of our trees and shrubs which rely on birds to spread their seeds to other areas.
This is done as birds eat the ripe berries, fly elsewhere, and excrete the seeds — with a little fertiliser attached to help them grow.
It works well!
What's involved in our Human Bird Programme?
- In the summer, seeds are collected from those species which are suitable.
- In the autumn, at least a month before needing them, the seedballs are made by:
- mixing the seeds with a suitable clay, and
- some potting mix which includes fertiliser, and
- rolling all this into balls, about the size of a golf ball;
- then storing the seedballs in a safe dry place to harden.
- Once winter has come, and soils in the selected area are moist enough, the seedballs are thrown into areas which need to be helped to regenerate — usually into steep, heavily gorsed, or otherwise difficult areas around the edges of the bush, which are not easy to plant by hand. Throwing is usually done with the help of a racquet, to ensure the balls are sent well into the scrub.
Who can be involved?
This activity is really fun for a family, a children’s club or school class, or any group which has an ongoing life covering the period needed, and wants to assist conservation.
How can you get involved?
- The Friends of Maara Roa will select a site in the restoration area with you.
- We arrange for a knowledgeable person to help you collect those seeds which are suitable for our area.
- We can advise you on the best time to collect, and where best to collect them.
- Seeds need careful treatment and storage. We can also help you learn that — it’s not too difficult to do at home.
- We can supply the clay to use.
- You need to purchase a good quality potting mix.
- Your group has a get-together to make the seedballs.
- You then need to store the seedballs safely while they dry.
- When it’s time, you can have your seedball-throwing activity.
- Make a picnic day and enjoy our beautiful bushy valley, which you are helping to improve!
For a leaflet and more information
If you want a copy of these details, view our Human Birds leaflet (PDF file 160Kb) and print off a copy for yourself.
To be involved, please phone: (04) 237-4760 or email sylvan@actrix.co.nz
Those who have participated
2008
The Kiwi Conservation Club children went seed-hunting on 22nd April, and made their seedballs in the following school holidays.
On Tuesday 8th July, it was their "Human Birds" seedball throwing day.
They walked down to the stile on the Takapu Track, and just past that there is an old vehicle track running right along the top of Cannons Creek valley's western ridge.
Walking down that, they threw the seedballs as far as they could down into the scrubby gorse and bush.
To finish off the day, they then walked down the Takapu Track to our planting area for a nature walk with Neil Bellingham.
Here's the article and photos from the Kapi-Mana News 5 August, 2008.
2006
The Kiwi Conservation Club joined with us to collect seeds for both us and Pauatahanui Forest and Bird.
Sylvia Jenkin, Jean Luke and Wanda Tate met them on Saturday 11th March 2006, and helped the children and their mothers collect quite a few seeds.
Those seeds suitable for Maara Roa were rolled into seedballs with potting mix, clay and fertilizer.
Though their original date was postponed because of bad weather, five or six families from KCC along with Brenda Stickley threw the seedballs around the Tawa Finger later in the year.
This technique has been found to be as successful as growing and planting trees.
The children are doing what the birds are doing, have fun doing it, but don’t have to eat the seeds!
Kids, you did well, in what is quite a rough area!