Flora and Avifauna of Waiwhakareke and Horseshoe Lake margins

These working lists follow several field visits (1999-2005) to record the naturally occurring plants & birds at Waiwhakareke prior to restoration activities. Species which have been planted at the site since 2004 as part of the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park restoration project are not included in the plant list or description.

Horseshoe Lake is a small peat lake within a catchment comprising mainly grazed pasture. It has a narrow fringe of wetland vegetation around its margin; ranging from 0-2 metres in width on the north-western edge, to 6-8 metres on the south-eastern arm. There is a zonation of vegetation relating to water depth; three main types are apparent.

Open water with waterlily

On the surface of the lake, at least four small patches of waterlily are present. All of the patches observed are located close to the edge of the lake.

Baumea-Eleocharis-raupo reedland

Patches of Eleocharis sphacelata are scattered around the lake margin, occasionally dominant in the canopy. An 8 m x 2 m patch of sphagnum moss is present near the eastern edge of the western arm of the lake; through which Paspalum distichum is growing. This is present below Phormium tenax, Isachne globosa, Juncus gregiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Baumea teretifolia and grey willow. The patch is bounded on the lakeside by Baumea articulata.

Grey willow/flax-raupo-Baumea treeland

A narrow fringe of Grey willow/flax-raupo-Baumea treeland occupies the landward zone.

In some places around the lake margin, where the willow treeland is absent, marginal herbs dominate. Species here include Ranunculus, Polygonum, Juncus, Carex, Ludwigia palustris, and assorted pasture grasses.

Vascular Plant list

Scientific Name	Common Name
Acetosa (Rumex) acetosella*	dock, sheep’s sorrel
Baumea articulata	jointed twig-rush
Baumea rubiginosa
Baumea teretifolia	pakihi rush
Bidens frondosa*	beggars’ ticks
Blechnum novae-zelandiae	swamp kiokio
Callitriche stagnalis*	water starwort
Carex secta	purei
Carex virgata	purei
Centella uniflora
Cordyline australis	cabbage tree, ti kouka
Coronopus sp.*	cress
Crataegus monogyna*	hawthorne
Cyperus sp.*
Eleocharis acuta	club rush
Eleocharis pusilla
Eleocharis sphacelata	bamboo spike-sedge
Epilobium ciliatum*	willow-herb
Gonocarpus aggregatus
Holcus lanatus	Yorkshire fog
Hydrocotyle sp.	pennywort
Isachne globosa
Juncus articulatus*
Juncus effusus*
Juncus gregiflorus
Leontodon taraxacoides*	hawkbit
Leptospermum scoparium	manuka
Leycesteria formosa*	Himalayan honeysuckle
Lobelia anceps
Lolium sp.*	ryegrass
Lotus peduculatus*	lotus
Ludwigia palustris*
Lycopus europaeus*	gypsywort
Mentha sp.*
Nymphaea sp.*	water lily
Osmunda regalis*	royal fern
Paesia scaberula	ring/scented fern, matata
Paspalum distichum*
Pennisetum clandestinum*	kikuyu grass
Persicaria (Polygonum) persicaria*	willow weed
Phormium tenax	flax, harakeke
Plantago lanceolata*	narrow-leaved plantain
Plantago major*	broad-leaved plantain
Ranunculus repens*	buttercup
Rubus fruticosus*	blackberry
Salix cinerea*	grey willow
Salix fragilis*	crack willow
Solanum nigrum*	black nightshade
Sphagnum sp.	sphagnum moss
Stellaria graminea*	stitchwort
Taraxacum officinale*	dandelion
Typha orientalis	raupo
Ulex europaeus*	gorse

Bird list

Scientific Name	Common Name
Acridotheres tristis*	myna
Alauda arvensis*	skylark
Anas platyrhynchos*	mallard
Anas superciliosa	grey duck
Branta canadensis*	Canada goose
Carduelis carduelis*	goldfinch
Circus approximans	kahu, harrier
Cygnus atratus	black swan (and cygnets)
Hirundo tahitica	welcome swallow
Passer domesticus*	house sparrow
Phalacrocorax carbo	black shag
Porphyrio porphyrio	pukeko
Tadorna variegata	paradise shelduck (Putangitangi)
Turdus merula*	blackbird
Turdus philomelos*	songthrush
Zosterops lateralis	silver eye

* indicates introduced species

Descriptions and lists have been compiled from Downs, Clarkson and Beard (2000) and survey by E. Grove & B. Paris Nov. 2005.

Reference:

Downs T. M., Clarkson B. D. & Beard C. M. (2000) Key Ecological Sites of Hamilton City. CBER Contract Report No. 5. Prepared for Hamilton City Council. Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research, The University of Waikato, Hamilton.