Native planting to enhance habitat for fish, game birds and native birds has begun at an Otago Fish & Game-managed wildlife reserve in Central.

The Bendigo Wildlife Reserve is a 158ha conservation area where the Clutha River/Mata-au enters Lake Dunstan.

The project aims to remove areas of mature willows and restore native plant species, creating better habitat for ducks, fish and other native bird species.

Otago Fish & Game officer Ben Sowry said generations of families have enjoyed seasonal hunting of game birds in this reserve.

“This is also a productive fishing area, and plans are afoot for a nearby cycle trail.”

Otago Fish and Game Council, which manages the reserve, has approved $3,400 in funding from diversion fees collected from fishing and game bird hunting offences to launch the project.

Ben said the money from offences is “used entirely to improve habitat in wetlands and other waterways”.

Fish & Game is seeking partners to contribute funding and labour for the project.

Ben said over the years willows have encroached on the island and channel areas, leading to a significant decline in open water that waterfowl use as loafing and feeding areas.

“We’re proposing to remove areas of mature willows choking out large areas of waterfowl habitat.

“This will also really improve fishing opportunities for anglers in the various channels.”

Fish & Game staff planted the first 40 native plants at the reserve last week.

Trees which once blanketed the area, such as kanuka, kowhai, manuka, totara, silver beech and cabbage trees have been selected for planting.

This will assist to create a canopy cover to deter willows.

Other plants, such as flax, will stabilise the river bank, and other small species will be planted.