Wadeable or Swimmable?

With our usual humour I pondered on the idea of writing my memoirs one day and wondered what title I would use for the Chapter about my many Kaipara visits shared with a  good friend. I did it 'Her Way' came to mind

 

So why are we here? Well many reasons really but checking traps, bait stations, counting birds and other bird projects  are the important  ones. Enjoying a great environment and shared fun also comes pretty high on the list too.

 

With a particularly high tide our usual slippery muddy walk through the mangroves and estuary edge turned into more of a wade. However the water was not too cold and the chance to get up close with fern bird was another bonus.

 

Looking back to check that I am still above water.

 

As the tide recedes we start to dry out and then a shower of rain.

 

 

Why Care about Wai Care?

Enjoyed attending the macro-invertebrate and Wai Care workshop at Kristin school last Thursday. The team made it really interesting with their great enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject.

Damselfly nymph

 Pond dipping was a favourite past time of mine many years ago and I am keen to get back to exploring the macro-invertebrates of the streams entering our local estuaries. Its another photography project in the making.

SNAP

SNAP ( Shoal Ngataringa Action Project) for want of a better name at the moment had an informal Afternoon T get-together on Saturday 20th to say a big thanks for their support during the past year.

 

 I was keen to get together this great team of pest control champions who have been working around the fringe bush of Shoal and Ngataringa bays to protect bird life. I also wanted to share with them the data from CatchIT to support our project. 

 

Thanks to you all for coming and a big thank you to Terry for putting on a great spread.

 

Miranda Blue Sky Day

A perfect blue sky day to visit Miranda and catch up with people, watch birds and hear an interesting talk. I reflected on the fact that ten years ago I would drive by the Miranda  Shore Bird centre on my way to and from the Coromandel and wonder what went on inside this building set back from the road. Although I did venture to the hides on several occasions. However I never really timed it right for those high tides..

 Then one day in 2011 I ventured inside and have since spent time meeting and listening to some great people and earlier this year attending the excellent  six day residential Field Study course.

Dabchick

Chestnut-breasted Shelduck

Love Point England Rally

My first time to see this great area of community playing fields and farmland bordering the estuary. An important area too for some of our at risk species of birds, NZ dotterel, Shore plover..

Good to support the people who are standing up against the National Governments attempt to change the law to allow  Reserve land  to be built on. If passed this Bill  could set a precedent for other reserves to be gobbled up by development.

More to follow

Island Hopping

Great day today with superb weather ideal for an island visit. Thanks to Nick and Joel for sharing your extensive knowledge about these fascinating geckos and skinks.

Gecko

Moko Skink

Long-Tailed Blue