Pukeko Stomp !

Interesting to watch this tussle over a slice of bread thrown in to feed the ducks. Good to see that the eels are still here in the  reserve at Shoal Bay. 

 

Face off between the pukeko and a short finned eel

  

Getting closer

Finally the pukeko decides to pounce

One I have nicknames scarface as it has some distinct scars across its face.

Walk the line

Yesterday I was climbing the 437M high Mt Tamahunga and walking the iwi line tagging along with a friend who is trialling the DOC 'Walk the Line' trapping and bait station software App. It was steep country following ridges and crossing streams Wonderful bush but still quiet although extensive trapping is being carried out. The bush in the mist was quite beautiful.

By comparison today we are walking the Jutland reserve and Northboro reserve line. Anne -Elise picked up bait and headed off to the Northboro reserve and I eventually had my GPS batteries charged to check along the coastal bush at Jutland reserve. All the bait had gone so I replenished each bait station.

A bonus today was that the patch of bush lawyer that I have to contend with was full of flower.

Photos to follow.

Waikumete Cemetery

Not the best of days to visit a cemetery with heavy rain forecast but I have wanted to visit this place for some time to see the wildflowers. So a Bot Soc visit was a perfect opportunity led by
Rhys Gardner.

 The Auckland Botanical society have been trying to get better protection for the gum land area of the cemetery that is important for orchids too.

Island visit

Last minute packing, the kayak is loaded on the car.
A couple of hours North and we are heading for the coast and its quite windy and cool. We both decide on an extra layer today..
 The kayak crossing is ok and soon we are heading ankle deep through the mangroves. With the tide nearly in there is a tricky pinch point along the beach but we are soon at the Northern point.

 

 

Royal Spoonbill

This Royal spoonbill was in Ngataringa Bay feeding with a white faced heron.

 

And the other day a Great Cormorant dropped into Northboro reserve in Shoal Bay.