Field notes

The reserve was observed on a calm Saturday morning after rain. The stream was flowing slowly. At Site A, beside the muddy bank, observers counted 2 native plant types and found 4 small pieces of litter in a 10 m stretch. A discarded wrapper was lying close to the stream. The water looked cloudy near the tyre tracks. At Site B, where native shrubs had been planted between the track and stream, observers counted 6 native plant types and found 1 small piece of litter in a 10 m stretch. The water looked clearer there. Bees were seen visiting mānuka flowers. Flowers provide nectar, and bees can carry pollen between flowers. These observations describe one visit only; they do not prove what caused the differences.