Winter Clean Up

Council gardeners have cleaned up the frost-bitten leaves of the gunnera plants that provide summer shade on the nesting island at Pollard Park. Out of bounds to the public, the island provides a retreat for the ducks – for nesting and resting. From time to time people will leave domestic ducks at the park but Council staff say they rarely breed successfully. However, numbers always swell in spring with the onset of the duck shooting season. The native eel population keeps the duck population in balance although lately eel numbers seem to have reduced. The occasional water rat nests under the gunnera and a couple of years ago Council staff had to round up guinea pigs and turkeys that had colonised the island.

Council reserves staff keep an eye on the duck population and the public is urged to report any injured birds to staff in the gardens or call the Council, Ph: 03 520 7400.