Is there Tui nesting in our gully?

There are two resident Tui in our gully. What would be good would be to know whether they are nesting. If they do nest, with the pest control we have done, there is a really good chance of the chicks being reared to maturity. The thing to look out for is to see Tui carrying twigs in their beaks and where they are building. The tree will not necessarily be a native as Tui do not know the difference. A good nesting spot is a good nesting spot to them. They are also likely to be very aggressive towards other birds, particularly Mynas. If anyone sees this behaviour please let one of our group know. 

Rubbish bin installation

Any other long running project has been completed along with its retro sign writing. We hope that it is robust enough not to be damaged by hoons!

Shining Cuckoo heard but hard to see

The Shining Cuckoo over winters in the pacific. It flies south for our summer and to nest - or lay its egg in a Grey Warbler’s nest for the Warbler to incubate and rear. They have been heard in the gully over the last couple of weeks. http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/pipiwharauroa.html Click on this link to hear is song. 

Chaffinch

The Chaffinch have been regularly seen and heard in our gully. It is an interesting introduced bird in that it has adapted to our bush areas. To quote A Field Guide to the Birds of NZ:”  they are evenly distributed wherever there are trees or shrubs from sea-level to 4500 feet and penetrate the bush as no other finch has done.” One of our group heard a number of them at the top of Maungatautari Mountain this week. That is a considerable distance from any farm land. 

All weather track completed 26th Sept 2012

North meets south

It is with great pride that the team can announce the joining of the tracks from each end to have an all weather foot track running the full length of our gully. You can now go for a walk in your ordinary walking shoes and not get any mud on them (well almost).

There is still a bit of finishing to do. We are waiting for a delivery of millings (shingle) to put on top of the pit sand and we would like to wire some of the board walk, that we feel could be under pressure from flooding, to waratahs or trees. This is a great public asset. Go for a walk and enjoy it. 

NZ Pigeon (Kereru) in Hamilton

This photo was taken by a local at Lowry Bay, Wellington

Wouldn't it be great to have Kereru back in our city? Many cities in New Zealand have healthy populations so let’s try and get them to sit on OUR power lines. If you have an open space like a gully at the back of your place why not plant a Tawa and a Miro. If space is a bit more limited perhaps a Nikau, Cabbage Tree or Pigeonwood may be more suitable.

We are planting for Kereru in Mangaiti Gully.  We have successfully encouraged the Tui to reside once more in Hamilton. Now it is time to target the Kereru.

Astelia in flower

We had to add this photo of an Astelia grandis in full flower. It can be viewed just off the foot track that drops down the steps beside the St James side of the foot bridge and winds its way through the tree ferns. It is on the right just before the track turns left and heads to the little bridge over the creek. Check it out.