Auckland Botanical Society

The members of the ABS are a great source of knowledge about our wonderful bush reserves.

On a recent walk at Titirangi with ABS members I had my first sighting of Drosera auriculata the tiny insectiverous plant known as sundew.

On a walk in Torbay Heights Reserve on the North Shore this month we were fortunate to find some sundew in flower too. Sundew live on poorer soils where it supliments its nutrition by attracting small flies and insects to its sticky surface where it is able to gradually dissolve and absorb useful nutrients.

I used to find round-leaved sundew, Drosera rotundifolia on the heathland of Horsell Common near my home in the UK.

Karori Sanctuary and Zealandia

Visiting Wellington during September ( to see WOW) I was able to visit the karori sanctuary and the wonderful new Zealandia centre.

The native bird life in the sanctuary is easy to see and the Zealandia centre is excellent for its educational content, helpful staff and great food and coffee. There was even a free pick -up service from the cable car with a chatty and informative driver.

It was great to see tuatara, bellbirds, kakariki, North Island robin and many other species all on just a couple of visits, however the real surprise for me was sighting kaka flying wild from the reserve above the botanic gardens near the cable car.

Highly Recommended