While planting activity has been slower than usual so far this season, there is plenty happening behind the scenes at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs.

To date, around 150 native plants have been established on site, with more than 600 additional plants currently growing in our nursery awaiting suitable planting conditions.

Many of these young plants are still small and require additional time to develop before being planted out. Some will go into the ground over the coming months, while others will be held over through summer and planted during 2026 and 2027.

We are also awaiting confirmation from Otago Fish & Game regarding additional native plants being propagated through the Department of Corrections nursery programme at Milton.

Our goal remains ambitious: to establish around 1,000 native plants this season. Every new planting contributes to improving habitat for birds, insects and other native wildlife while strengthening the long-term resilience of the wetland ecosystem.

As always, we are grateful to our volunteers and supporters who help make this restoration work possible.

As winter approaches, Friends of Bullock Creek is making the most of the remaining autumn growing season by tackling some of the site's most persistent weeds.

Throughout May, our focus has been on "cut and paste" weed control, targeting invasive species before we pause herbicide use over the colder months. Winter provides an opportunity to shift our efforts towards manual control methods, including cutting cotoneaster and mulching key areas in preparation for future planting.

Ivy remains a significant challenge across parts of the site. Over the coming months, volunteers and contractors will continue removing infestations and covering affected areas with black polythene to suppress regrowth and reduce the spread of this invasive species.

While weed control is often less visible than planting, it is one of the most important aspects of ecological restoration. Every cotoneaster removed and every patch of ivy controlled creates more space for native species to thrive.

The work we do this winter will help prepare the site for another busy planting season ahead.

Help Count Bullock Creek's Backyard Birds

Friends of Bullock Creek in collaboration with Southern Lakes Sanctuary is inviting the Wānaka community to take part in a bird watch and bird count at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs this winter.

After more than 10 years of wetland restoration and native planting, FOBC is keen to learn more about how native and introduced birds are using the site. Community members can help identify and record bird species while enjoying one of Wānaka's unique natural spaces.

The bird counts will be held on Tuesday 30 June and Sunday 5 July, from 12 noon to 1pm, at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, 107 Stone Street.

Participants will learn simple bird identification techniques from experienced guides, contribute to local conservation efforts, and enjoy a free mug of hot soup afterwards.

No birdwatching experience is required, and beginners are warmly welcome. Even 30 minutes of participation can provide valuable information.

Please bring warm clothing, sturdy footwear, and binoculars if you have them.

Registration is essential, as numbers are limited for each session. To secure your place, please email admin@fobc.kiwi.

Come along, meet fellow nature enthusiasts, and help build a picture of the birdlife returning to Bullock Creek.

It was an exciting start for the team at Friends of Bullock Creek this week as our new tracked chipper was officially put through its paces for the first time.

Purchased with generous funding support from the Lions Foundation & Bullock Bar Wanaka, the chipper is already proving to be a valuable addition to our restoration toolkit. The distributor travelled down from Tauranga to provide the team with an overview and operational briefing before the machine was fired up on site.

Following the induction, Paul and Ed took the chipper up along the boardwalk where they spent the next hour processing cut debris. The machine performed exceptionally well, handling material efficiently and navigating the site with ease.

This new asset will significantly improve our productivity, particularly when it comes to managing vegetation and cut debris across the wetland. It’s another important step forward in supporting ongoing restoration and maintenance work at Bullock Creek.

A huge thank you to the Lions Foundation & Bullock Bar for helping make this possible.

As winter approaches in Wānaka, Friends of Bullock Creek is beginning to adjust the pace and nature of on-site works to suit the changing conditions. While restoration efforts certainly aren’t stopping, colder temperatures, frosts and wetter ground mean volunteers and contractors need to be mindful about when and how work is carried out over the coming months.

The past season has seen continued progress around the creek, with planting, maintenance, weed control and habitat restoration all contributing to the long-term health of this important waterway. Winter remains an important time for monitoring and maintenance work, although activities will naturally become more weather-dependent.

FOBC would like to thank the many volunteers, supporters and community partners who continue to contribute their time and energy throughout the year. Regular volunteer afternoons will continue where conditions allow, with updates shared through FOBC communication channels.

Looking ahead, winter also provides an opportunity to plan and prepare for another productive spring season focused on protecting and enhancing Bullock Creek for future generations.

Friends of Bullock Creek (FOBC) warmly invites members, volunteers, and the wider community to attend our upcoming Annual General Meeting.

The AGM will be held on Thursday 28 May, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Wānaka Community Hub.

This is a great opportunity to hear about the past year’s achievements, ongoing projects, and future plans for the protection and enhancement of Bullock Creek. Attendees will also have the chance to meet the team, connect with fellow supporters, and learn more about how to get involved.

We welcome anyone with an interest in our work to join us.

Date: Thursday 28 May
Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Location: Wānaka Community Hub

We look forward to seeing you there.

Friends of Bullock Creek was pleased to receive funding through the 2025 Queenstown Airport ZQN Community Fund, delivered in partnership with 45South Community Foundation.

This funding was used to help purchase a trailer, which has become an essential tool in our ongoing restoration work along the Bullock Creek waterway. The trailer is regularly used to remove green waste generated through weed control and the removal of invasive species, significantly improving the efficiency of our on-the-ground efforts.

With restoration of the site now around 40% complete, this support has played a practical and important role in enabling continued progress and enhancing the local environment we care for.

Efforts to protect native plantings at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs are set to ramp up, with further rabbit control measures planned in the coming weeks.

Rabbits have been spotted moving between the wetland and the neighbouring retirement village, posing an ongoing risk to young and newly established plants. Grazing can quickly undo restoration progress, making control work an important part of maintaining the site.

A targeted rabbit shoot is being organised, alongside plans to install additional rabbit-proof fencing along the boundary. These measures aim to limit movement between properties and better safeguard vulnerable planting areas.

While often out of sight, pest control plays a key role in restoration. By keeping rabbit numbers in check, the team can give native species the best chance to establish and thrive.

With planting efforts continuing to grow across the site, protecting what’s already in the ground remains a top priority

A recent effort to rehome 28 ribbonwood trees at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs has highlighted just how much timing matters in restoration work.

The young trees were moved from a nearby Queenstown Lakes District Council stormwater area, with the goal of giving them a new life within the wetland restoration site. It’s all part of ongoing work to boost native planting and biodiversity along Bullock Creek.

While not all of the ribbonwoods have survived the move, the result hasn’t come as a surprise. Transplanting in the warmer months can be tough on young plants, making it harder for them to establish in a new environment.

Even so, every project like this adds to what we know. Restoration is often about trial and learning, and this experience will help guide better timing and methods for future planting.

With cooler months ahead, and more than 600 native plants currently growing in the nursery, the team is looking forward to the next round of planting, with conditions much more in their favour

Friends of Bullock Creek (FOBC) has announced a change to its regular volunteer sessions, moving to a new weekly time of Thursdays from 2–4pm as daylight saving ends and cooler autumn conditions set in.

The group continues to see steady community support, with FOBC’s Paul reporting between two and six volunteers attending sessions each week.

Current efforts are focused on release weeding around native plantings, helping to reduce competition and give young plants the best chance to establish and thrive.

FOBC says the consistent volunteer turnout is vital to maintaining the health of the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, and welcomes anyone interested in getting involved.