The baby sand dunes grew in the gales. A few days ago we had gales blowing from the west or southwest for a couple of days. A huge amount of sand was blown around. In the area where the new dunes are growing south of the river mouth it was easy to see how much had accumulated. The map shows roughly where new dunes have been growing for the last few years.
A bud-galling wasp (Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae) introduced by Horizons Regional Council is showing promising signs … of being a viable control tool against the highly invasive pest plant Sydney golden wattle. …
Horizons environmental manager Craig Davey says a recent inspection found the wasps had created galls on Sydney golden wattle growing along our western coastline. …
The wasp lays its eggs on areas that would become flower buds, which instead produce growths — known as galls — and these prevent flowering and thus seed production.
A couple of years ago there was one Yucca gloriosa in the dunes between the south track off Reay Mackay Grove and the Waiorongomai Stream. This year there are 3. You can see them as you walk along the track, shining out. Come closer and you can see the detail.
Spinifex planting confirmed: 08 October 2022, start at 9.00 and meet at 10 Reay Mackay Grove or out from last year’s planting.
Please come and plant a few plants if you can. Bring friends and whānau.
The bud-galling wasp (Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae) has been shown to help prevent the seed production of Sydney golden wattle. Photo: CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Apparently Waikawa Beach lies at the southern end of the range of the Sydney golden wattle — an acacia that can take over dunes, crowding out other plants, leads to sand blowouts and releases allergens that affect hayfever sufferers. It also creates substantial fire risks.
Craig Kidd, HDC Parks and Property Officer | Āpiha Papa Rēhia, Rawa advised us about planned Spinifex planting at Waikawa Beach for 2022: We are looking at 3500 - 4500 Plants for Waikawa Beach. There are no issues with planting Spinifex along the foredune in front of the walkway and can view over the next few weeks. Our plants arrive in August and will plan planting in September — any thoughts for a day and will need to check tides.
Spiky spinifex seedheads on the plants on the dunes. Did you know that native Spinifex and Pīngao grasses help hold sand and build the dunes, while Marram Grass was planted by Europeans because cows would eat it? In times gone by, before we had a robust roading system, cows (and other stock) were often driven along the beaches. In recent years Horowhenua District Council have provided thousands of spinifex for local volunteers to plant at Waikawa Beach.
A carpet of spinifex on the dunes. December is the time when we see Spinifex seedheads covering the dunes. Once the plant releases them they will blow and roll across the dunes and the sand, finding a place to stay and grow.
A line of seedheads on a runner. Seedhead closeup. Seedhead closeup. Coastal Restoration Trust say: Spinifex (Spinifex sericeus R.Br.) is the major indigenous sand dune grass that occurs on foredunes throughout most of the North Island and the upper part of the South Island.
Rob Cross is biodiversity manager at Kāpiti Coast District Council. In this 10 minute video he talks about the natural highlights of Kāpiti’s sand dunes, reminding us what an important job they do creating homes for plants and wildlife and helping protect our coastline. We could reasonably expect our dunes at Waikawa Beach to be the same. Also check out the Kāpiti Caring for Sand Dunes brochure (465KB PDF).
View of planting from above. On Saturday 25 September 2021 about 40 people turned up to help plant spinifex and pīngao just south of the river. In the space of just one and a half hours we planted 4,000 plants. Apparently council workers also planted another 1,000 yesterday a little south of this area. A few folks — Council workers (on their own time) and locals — drilled holes, so all we had to do was get a plant from the root trainer tray, put it in the hole and tamp it in.