Along with bird monitoring, volunteers carry out water quality monitoring on the Styx River catchment, a spring-fed ecosystem in Harewood, on a monthly basis. The Styx River is home to paradise shelduck, New Zealand scaup, herons, cormorants, pukeko, and pied stilts among other species. "I also enjoy getting a quiz from Chris [another volunteer] on the tree names every time I go. "She has been back each year, taking part in all the activities available, collecting donations and planting trees - some are now taller than her. "Even though she hates getting up early on a Saturday morning, once she gets to the bird monitoring, Willow enjoys watching and learning how the environment changes.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 23, 2020 02:03 UTC