It's the start of our April bait pulse around Shoal and Ngataringa estuaries to knock down predators to help the wildlife around the Coastal forest edge of the estuary. This morning we topped up the bait stations at Line 2 ( we have 12) and will re-visit to record bait take up and top up with more bait during the month.
Thinking of my pulse I was reminded of the repercussions following another enjoyable two month travel in Western Australia during 2017. This time I had been enjoying the wild native orchid season and helping with a Fairy Tern project on the coast. However I only just made it back to NZ to experience a near encounter with the 'Grim Reaper'. Hence why no posts on this site during October.
We are warned that everything in OZ is out to either bite or kill you and I can vouch for that. So if I appear in a hurry to visit friends, places and get things done it's that experience that is driving me.
So what's next.........?
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Secret Beach
Today I am in search of a secluded white shell beach that can only be reached by wading across a river when the tide is favourable.
My favourite estuary is gradually revealing its hidden treasures. This place has been on my list for some years since I read about the small historic cemetery behind this beach.
Today the tide was perfect for an easy paddle (by foot) across the river inlet to explore. A small secluded camp site at the far end was noted and today I had the place to myself which was perfect. On the beach a dead blue penguin which is what the lady earlier in the week had mentioned. Next time I will paddle (kayak) to this location and maybe take the tent and stay a while.
Then back to the little settlement where I had seen Cloud 9 earlier this week and another interesting 'boaty' character who has been exploring this area for 30 years with an amazing kayak like craft with an over sized sail that really moved although it took some time to rig.
I was away quicker and paddling (kayak) across the estuary. Then looked back to watch his craft disappear out of sight and I thought maybe I should consider a sail for my kayak.
Ended up for a picnic lunch at another secluded lovely beach. Then a swim as the water temperature is still so pleasant.
Photos and more to follow.
My favourite estuary is gradually revealing its hidden treasures. This place has been on my list for some years since I read about the small historic cemetery behind this beach.
Today the tide was perfect for an easy paddle (by foot) across the river inlet to explore. A small secluded camp site at the far end was noted and today I had the place to myself which was perfect. On the beach a dead blue penguin which is what the lady earlier in the week had mentioned. Next time I will paddle (kayak) to this location and maybe take the tent and stay a while.
Then back to the little settlement where I had seen Cloud 9 earlier this week and another interesting 'boaty' character who has been exploring this area for 30 years with an amazing kayak like craft with an over sized sail that really moved although it took some time to rig.
I was away quicker and paddling (kayak) across the estuary. Then looked back to watch his craft disappear out of sight and I thought maybe I should consider a sail for my kayak.
Ended up for a picnic lunch at another secluded lovely beach. Then a swim as the water temperature is still so pleasant.
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| 'Barracuda' pulled up the beach |
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| A selfie just for the record. |
Photos and more to follow.
Monday, March 26, 2018
Cloud 9
I'm back exploring my favourite North of Auckland estuary and I'm on cloud 9. I love walking and kayaking here. I have often climbed to the top of that hill to enjoy the stunning views of islands and inlets.
Today I'm chatting to a just moved in 'new local' asking him about his wonderful little craft called Cloud 9 and how he finds living in this beautiful location.
Earlier I chatted to a another keen local. She thought I was from DOC checking on the little blue penguins that have become washed up in the next bay suffering from mal-nutrition. She has been monitoring a trap line in the hills above the estuary for 10 years..
On the way home called into the Waiwera settlement to check out the high tide roost site and dotterel nesting area. Counted 266 South Island pied oystercatcher. 35 Variable oystercatcher, 17 NZ dotterel and 9 red-billed gulls.
Photos and More to follow..........................................
On the way home called into the Waiwera settlement to check out the high tide roost site and dotterel nesting area. Counted 266 South Island pied oystercatcher. 35 Variable oystercatcher, 17 NZ dotterel and 9 red-billed gulls.
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| 266 South island Pied oystercatchers |
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Fly By
At times you can almost set your watch by the flight of these swamp harriers as they patrol the shell banks around the estuaries at high tide. This is the time that they can spot a number of birds roosting. I was wondering how their nesting went this year with the very high tides.
Contrary to some local opinion that they nest in high trees around the estuary I tend to trust the observations of an experienced Wildlife Ranger friend that their nests locally have been in marshland in the Onepoto Reserve and would be very susceptible to the recent high tides just like our 'Shore birds'. I should check this out next season.
Contrary to some local opinion that they nest in high trees around the estuary I tend to trust the observations of an experienced Wildlife Ranger friend that their nests locally have been in marshland in the Onepoto Reserve and would be very susceptible to the recent high tides just like our 'Shore birds'. I should check this out next season.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Shoal Bay - March High Tide Roost Count.
Combined Totals for two Chenier shell banks of ( Big) Shoal Bay - High Tide at 9.45 of 3.3Metres high. Updated 20.03.2018
Birds recorded
Wrybill x 18
Pied Stilt x 111
SIPOS x 94
VOCS x 10
NZ dotterel x2
SBBG x 3 (2juvs)
Bar-tailed Godwit x 7 attempted to land with the wrybill but almost immediately headed East
White faced Heron x 2
Caspian Tern X 1 (juv) (photographed fishing)
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Caspian shaking its head in flight after diving for fish.
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Saturday, March 17, 2018
Port Waikato - Fossil hunting
Port Waikato ticks all the boxes with its remote feel, sand dune environment, on the south side of the outflow of where the mighty Waikato river flows into the Tasman sea.
Sarah from 'Wildlands' is going to lead the way and navigate the dunes to top up the species list for this habitat. It was Sarah's suggestion that this habitat should be checked out.
The last time I was here was maybe over 15 years ago and a visit was way overdue. I'm enjoying re-visiting a few places that I haven't touched on for a while. Today I am checking out the ephemeral wetlands within the dunes of the great sand dune area North of the settlement. In their dry state you could hardly call them wetlands with just subtle hints of stunted glasswort and hundreds of tiny dead fish trapped by receding recent King tides.
In good company we trek across the dunes searching for interesting specimens and then Janeen excitingly discovers a bird dropping spider and knowing her sense of humour I thought she was kidding but its real. A spider that looks like bird poo. Although they are a native orb spider they have no orb web just a single thread and hanging egg sacs. I was fascinated. Its my first. I'm a bird poo spider virgin!
Later after exploring the dunes it was time for fossil hunting at the beach cliffs at the southern end of the settlement. Below is a Belemnite (squid) found on a previous visit. Soon we were turning over every rock and within about 10mins had come up with some samples of plant fossils..
Photos and More to follow...........................
Sarah from 'Wildlands' is going to lead the way and navigate the dunes to top up the species list for this habitat. It was Sarah's suggestion that this habitat should be checked out.
The last time I was here was maybe over 15 years ago and a visit was way overdue. I'm enjoying re-visiting a few places that I haven't touched on for a while. Today I am checking out the ephemeral wetlands within the dunes of the great sand dune area North of the settlement. In their dry state you could hardly call them wetlands with just subtle hints of stunted glasswort and hundreds of tiny dead fish trapped by receding recent King tides.
In good company we trek across the dunes searching for interesting specimens and then Janeen excitingly discovers a bird dropping spider and knowing her sense of humour I thought she was kidding but its real. A spider that looks like bird poo. Although they are a native orb spider they have no orb web just a single thread and hanging egg sacs. I was fascinated. Its my first. I'm a bird poo spider virgin!
Later after exploring the dunes it was time for fossil hunting at the beach cliffs at the southern end of the settlement. Below is a Belemnite (squid) found on a previous visit. Soon we were turning over every rock and within about 10mins had come up with some samples of plant fossils..
Photos and More to follow...........................
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Northland - Close encounters with the Past
The last time I was in Kerikeri was with Bot Soc last year as a base for a look at Moturoa Island. This wonderful island is communally managed. A memorable time spent exploring the bush and watching morepork young at the invitation of CJ & Carol our excellent hosts. Updated 14.04.2018
Heading to Northland but first a diversion off the main Highway to explore the Matuari Bay loop re-visiting some delightful coastal beaches including Matauri Bay, Te Ngaere Bay and Tauranga Bay to watch a large gathering of white fronted tern and dotterel and pied stilt. I camped at Matauri Bay a few years ago almost front row to the beach and it was good fun.
Thurs 8th March
Today heading to Coopers Bay to stay a while then on to explore the Karekare peninsular including Matai bay.
Fri 9th March
From Cable bay to Taipa and a great find Ramp road with a self containment camping site right on Tokerau beach. It would be good to return here to explore the Aurere stream. Rotopokaka dune lake nearby also known as Coco Cola lake due to its colour.
Then stopped at Waiporohita lake to watch birds. Counted many Canada geese and Great Cormorant (Black Shags) drying out on a row of posts. It's a small lake at the junction to Rangiputu and Puheke beach road or North to Matai Bay..
After counting the birds at the lake then headed on to the beautiful Puwheke beach with amazing white sand for a walk and thought what a stunning spot this is below the nearby Puwheke mountain that appears to separate and seclude Karekare beach to the North.
Backtracked to explore a couple of roads leading to small coastal subdivisions and headed on North to Matai Bay for a few swims followed by lunch on the beach which was most welcome.
Returned South to the Gumdiggers DOC Reserve of Ohio lake. I had noticed this on the way up before the turning to Ramp Rd and beach.
Sat 10th March
Today in Mangonui topping up with food with the lure of free internet at the iSite centre but it didn't open. A café provided a short burst of internet once they had reset their router at the request of irate travellers keen to update their social media. I uploaded this while enjoying a coffee on a showery morning.
Then off to Taupo Bay to explore. Annoying to see dogs chasing dotterels on this beach. Later to Hihi bay which has an extensive forest at its far end and a flock of roosting white-fronted terns.
In the afternoon I drove back to just North of Taipa to explore Aurere Beach Road South of the Aurere stream but with Maori settlements near the coast and cars blocking the road It didn't seem such a welcoming place and I had to give up.
Set out for Awanui and explored a road leading to an inlet with a wharf, some interesting unusual old boats and a large shed with white protective suited men milling around. Maybe it's full of asbestos. I had the tide wrong arriving mid-afternoon so no birds to be seen at this inlet to the Ranganui harbour. Returned to Taipa to count 50 SIPOS and a handful of VOCs.
Sund 11th March
With the approaching cyclone Hola today was spent exploring the two Pa sites at either end of Coopers beach. The Southern end Rangikapiti Pa I remembered climbing some years ago. There are great views over Mangonui harbour and North to the Northern Pa sites of Coopers beach. Spotted the native Coastal morning glory (Pouwhiwhi) growing over a hedge and fence nearby.
Taumarumaru Reserve a DOC reserve at the Northern end of Coopers beach has three Pa sites and was great to explore as its an extensive area with beach access for a swim or two to cool off. A huge amount of problem weed plants here including woolly nightshade.
Then back to Taipa again to count 243 white fronted Terns and 25 godwit at the river mouth.
Mond 12th March
Heading South to stay at the Tutukaka coast at a fantastic headland location near the Lighthouse above Tutukaka. After venturing out to the harbour in the evening for food it was good to be in a strong building as the wind and rain from cyclone Hola was now battering the headland and the sea was just wild crashing onto the rocks below.
Tuesday 13th March
What a difference a day makes. Watching the sunrise over a calm sea first light it was a new day and so just had to backtrack to Matapouri Bay for a beach and estuary walk. This is still one of my favourite coastline areas. Then stopped as usual at Ngungaru to check out birds on the estuary.
On the road again to Waipu Cove and the beautiful Langs white sand beach.
Summary
A successful foray into Northland again. I remembered that in the early 1990's when I first ventured to Matauri Bay I thought it was just the place to throw away my watch as it seemed that time didn't matter in these places. Just the sunrise and sunset and a few hours in between. Now the road is tar- sealed and it looks like a sub-division has been laid out on the hills above the beach.
Travelling further North I still had that timeless feeling and will return soon if only to carefully check out the many large flocks of roosting white fronted terns on the many beaches I walked checking for any vagrant terns sheltering around their edges. Will also walk South from Ramp Road to the Aurere stream and check out other inlets of the Ranganui harbour. And of course maybe just throw away my watch!
Heading to Northland but first a diversion off the main Highway to explore the Matuari Bay loop re-visiting some delightful coastal beaches including Matauri Bay, Te Ngaere Bay and Tauranga Bay to watch a large gathering of white fronted tern and dotterel and pied stilt. I camped at Matauri Bay a few years ago almost front row to the beach and it was good fun.
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| Matauri Bay Church |
Thurs 8th March
Today heading to Coopers Bay to stay a while then on to explore the Karekare peninsular including Matai bay.
Fri 9th March
From Cable bay to Taipa and a great find Ramp road with a self containment camping site right on Tokerau beach. It would be good to return here to explore the Aurere stream. Rotopokaka dune lake nearby also known as Coco Cola lake due to its colour.
Then stopped at Waiporohita lake to watch birds. Counted many Canada geese and Great Cormorant (Black Shags) drying out on a row of posts. It's a small lake at the junction to Rangiputu and Puheke beach road or North to Matai Bay..
After counting the birds at the lake then headed on to the beautiful Puwheke beach with amazing white sand for a walk and thought what a stunning spot this is below the nearby Puwheke mountain that appears to separate and seclude Karekare beach to the North.
Backtracked to explore a couple of roads leading to small coastal subdivisions and headed on North to Matai Bay for a few swims followed by lunch on the beach which was most welcome.
Returned South to the Gumdiggers DOC Reserve of Ohio lake. I had noticed this on the way up before the turning to Ramp Rd and beach.
Sat 10th March
Today in Mangonui topping up with food with the lure of free internet at the iSite centre but it didn't open. A café provided a short burst of internet once they had reset their router at the request of irate travellers keen to update their social media. I uploaded this while enjoying a coffee on a showery morning.
Then off to Taupo Bay to explore. Annoying to see dogs chasing dotterels on this beach. Later to Hihi bay which has an extensive forest at its far end and a flock of roosting white-fronted terns.
In the afternoon I drove back to just North of Taipa to explore Aurere Beach Road South of the Aurere stream but with Maori settlements near the coast and cars blocking the road It didn't seem such a welcoming place and I had to give up.
Set out for Awanui and explored a road leading to an inlet with a wharf, some interesting unusual old boats and a large shed with white protective suited men milling around. Maybe it's full of asbestos. I had the tide wrong arriving mid-afternoon so no birds to be seen at this inlet to the Ranganui harbour. Returned to Taipa to count 50 SIPOS and a handful of VOCs.
Sund 11th March
With the approaching cyclone Hola today was spent exploring the two Pa sites at either end of Coopers beach. The Southern end Rangikapiti Pa I remembered climbing some years ago. There are great views over Mangonui harbour and North to the Northern Pa sites of Coopers beach. Spotted the native Coastal morning glory (Pouwhiwhi) growing over a hedge and fence nearby.
Taumarumaru Reserve a DOC reserve at the Northern end of Coopers beach has three Pa sites and was great to explore as its an extensive area with beach access for a swim or two to cool off. A huge amount of problem weed plants here including woolly nightshade.
 |
| Ohumumo Pa one of the three Pa sites at Taumarumaru DOC Reserve |
Mond 12th March
Heading South to stay at the Tutukaka coast at a fantastic headland location near the Lighthouse above Tutukaka. After venturing out to the harbour in the evening for food it was good to be in a strong building as the wind and rain from cyclone Hola was now battering the headland and the sea was just wild crashing onto the rocks below.
Tuesday 13th March
What a difference a day makes. Watching the sunrise over a calm sea first light it was a new day and so just had to backtrack to Matapouri Bay for a beach and estuary walk. This is still one of my favourite coastline areas. Then stopped as usual at Ngungaru to check out birds on the estuary.
On the road again to Waipu Cove and the beautiful Langs white sand beach.
Summary
A successful foray into Northland again. I remembered that in the early 1990's when I first ventured to Matauri Bay I thought it was just the place to throw away my watch as it seemed that time didn't matter in these places. Just the sunrise and sunset and a few hours in between. Now the road is tar- sealed and it looks like a sub-division has been laid out on the hills above the beach.
Travelling further North I still had that timeless feeling and will return soon if only to carefully check out the many large flocks of roosting white fronted terns on the many beaches I walked checking for any vagrant terns sheltering around their edges. Will also walk South from Ramp Road to the Aurere stream and check out other inlets of the Ranganui harbour. And of course maybe just throw away my watch!
Sunday, March 4, 2018
Miranda
Excellent talk today at the Miranda Shorebird Centre by Jesse Conklin about the mysteries of Bar-tailed godwit migration. Good to catch up with a few familiar faces including another participant in the Field Study course I attended here in 2017.
Miranda shorebird area is just inundated with water even with a 3.6 M tide. The thought is that something has changed after the recent storms and this is the reason the area is so waterlogged.
I spent time on the Kaiaua shell banks. It was quieter there and there were birds in high numbers.
I'm heading to Northland next. First stop Kerikeri then further North to Cable Bay and beyond I haven't explored this area for quite a while.
Miranda shorebird area is just inundated with water even with a 3.6 M tide. The thought is that something has changed after the recent storms and this is the reason the area is so waterlogged.
I spent time on the Kaiaua shell banks. It was quieter there and there were birds in high numbers.
I'm heading to Northland next. First stop Kerikeri then further North to Cable Bay and beyond I haven't explored this area for quite a while.
Friday, March 2, 2018
eBird
I have been consistently uploading my Shoal Bay bird data to eBird since it was recommended by the Miranda Shorebird people. This is an excellent citizen science piece of software run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I now have several hundred data entries of High Tide counts and other observations. These are not for public access but I do share the links with other interested parties including Auckland Council biodiversity people, Miranda people, and other interested folk..
I still have some back dated entries going back to 2012 and also many photos to add. My method at a count is to photograph first then count using the scope. The photographs back up the counts and sometimes reveal something missed.
I will add a couple of links to this entry soon to share. More to follow
I still have some back dated entries going back to 2012 and also many photos to add. My method at a count is to photograph first then count using the scope. The photographs back up the counts and sometimes reveal something missed.
I will add a couple of links to this entry soon to share. More to follow
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