Looking west along the Ashley/Rakahuri River, which is now clear of weeds and vegetation following the recent flood. Photo: SuppliedThe populations of endangered braided river birds could increase thanks to the recent flood in the Ashley/Rakahuri River. The force of the water has stripped all the weeds from the river bed, leaving gravel islands, where birds like to nest, free of cover for predators. All signs of recent river extraction has also been erased, and the fairway widened, in some cases by 50 metres or more, he says. Over the past 16 years, ARRG has protected an 18km stretch of the river with traps to eliminate predators, allowing the braided river birds to breed and raise chicks safely.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 29, 2021 22:41 UTC