About The Swamp

Pond One

The first pond at the swamp is my first attempt to promote the breeding of wild ducks. It is very much a test pond to see what works:

1. Shape: Rectangular with ten small fingers, half planted, half left grassy. The shape has been informed by discussions with my friends at the Cape Sanctuary where they have reintroduced Pāteke or Brown Teal, a rare native species. The Pāteke are breeding, and appear to breed better in the ponds with open access to the water, rather than densely planted ponds.
2. Depth: this is a breeding pond not a hunting pond, so it is shallow to promote insect production to provide food for ducklings.
3. Planting: cover is provided through planting native flaxes & grasses obtained from nearby ponds.
4. Breeding Facilities:     
   1. Delta Water Fowl Hen House
   2. Floating Island
   3. Island

Food Sources

While not strictly to produce more ducks in the breeding season the swamp will be planted out with forage crops on a trial basis. The crops in 2025 will be mustard, millet, sorghum & faba beans, with the intention of monitoring to see what grows best.

Around the wetland area two types of Oaks will provide autumn food for waterfowl. Pin Oaks & English Oaks bring lots of ducks into the places they grow in Hawkes Bay, so both have been planted across the property. Some were cultivated from acorns, and some small plants where transplanted from a local wetland a mate owns.

The boundary & drive way will be planted with oaks, as will the area around the pond that is not planted in natives.