Long Gully Marsh

Description: Reed swamp, locally known as Alexandra Swamp

Type/Class: Swamp 2

Size: 1.3 ha

Altitude: 170 - 180 m above sea level

Approximate location: Intersection of Manuherikia Road and Rock View Road, Galloway | NZTM (centre point): E1318910 N4986660

Regional Plan: Water for Otago | Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.86, Map F12

Territorial Authority: Central Otago District Council

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

A5

Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Less than 15% of swamps remain in Otago. 2

A1 - A4, A6 - A9

No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

 

Aerial view Long Gully Marsh (March 2005)

 

 

Long Gully Marsh (February 2005)

 

Other Information:

  • Composition of mainly natives, with pūkio (Carex secta), cutty grass/rautahi (Carex coriacea) and bulrush/Raupō (Typha orientalis). Some recently planted manuka, white tea tree/kānuka (Kunzea ericoides), scented tree daisy (Olearia odorata), Olearia lineata (threat status of declining), mingimingi (Coprosma propinqua), cottonwood/tauhinu (Ozothamnus leptophyllus), climbing broom (Carmichaelia kirkii), Spaniard (Aciphylla subflabellata, threat status of declining), small-leaved pohuehue/pōhuehue (Muehlenbeckia complexa), cabbage tree/kouka (Cordyline australis) and kowhai. 3

  • Diverse birdlife including Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), New Zealand Shoveller/Kuruwhengi (Anas rhynchotis variegata), Swamp hen/Pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus), Pied Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae novaehollandiae), Kingfishers (Alcedinidae), Hawks, Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis plumbea) and Marsh Crake (Porzana pusilla affinis). 3

  • Noted as a reed swamp in the inventory of Wetlands of Ecological and Representative Importance (WERI). 3

  • Part of the area includes QEII covenant 5/12/140.

  • Listed as an Additional Wetland in Schedule 19.6A of the Central Otago District Plan. 55

 

References:

2 Ausseil, A.G., Newsome, P., Johnson, P. (2008) Wetland Mapping in the Otago Region. Landcare Research Contract Report prepared for the Otago Regional Council.

3 Correspondence with landowner (2004) Correspondence 00645126 – File no. RI121.

51 Otago Regional Council – Photo Archive. 

55 Central Otago District Council (2008) Central Otago District Plan, Published by Central Otago District Council, Alexandra.