A new picture book by Heather Hunt and Kennedy Warne.

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Possum catches continue at a low level; the average monthly catch from 34 traps on Mt Aubrey is now 6 possums. When residents started trapping possums on the bush line above Reotahi a few years ago they caught 300 possums over the first 3 years.

Marc Lawrence has continued his work on the wild ginger infestation on the
slopes above The Deck. There are large areas here where ginger is the
dominant plant, on steep and difficult slopes. Mark has put many hours of work into the mammoth task of trying to get this under control. A new bait-line being established in this area which will allow possum and rat control to be started on the Northern slopes of the mountain.
Another new bait-line established earlier in the year on the eastern slopes of the mountain (above Bay View Road) is in operation.
Volunteers have recently commenced work on eliminating the large bamboo patch on the Reotahi Coastal walkway near the Freezing Works.

Papakarahi has had another successful year with all this seasons plants allocated and picked up in May

We have 8 regular and enthusiastic volunteers who I would like to thank sincerely, my husband Philip King, Logan Carter, Mike and Jenny Butcher, Dave Asplin and Pauline Marjoribanks and Ross and Sue Farrant. Also a big thank you to Ocean Flowers who have supported us for many years and continue to to do so, with donations of potting mix.

Although we have not produced as many plants this year as in previous years, we have improved our infrastructure greatly and we are off to a fabulous start for next year with a whole row of plants which are too small to send out at the moment. Last year we had a complete clear out, which meant a standing start this year.

We have been excited to watch the germination and growth of one and a half trays of Tawapou which we have never grown before.   If anyone has seeds which are collected locally, we will be pleased to try to germinate them. The facilities that we have are a germination house, built by the lads, which is invaluable in colder weather. We also have a shade house for on-growing seedlings and germination in the summer.

We are always happy to welcome new recruits to our happy band of workers from 10am to noon on a Wednesday morning at 228 Nook Road.

I would like to thank Mike Butcher for standing in during Peter Coate’s absence helping Philip to man our trap line across the Nook Peninsular on Willie Oxborrow’s land. Also Mike and Jenny now man the Nook Kiwi Listening station following many years of listening by Philip King and Peter Coates.

Find out more about Papakarahi Native Tree Nursery

Jeanette King

TJ was found by Terry Gill on 25/1/17 on his drive in Mckenzie Bay when Terry was mowing the drive edges.

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February Kiwi Release at Whangarei Heads.

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WHLF Backyard Kiwi invite you to attend a kiwi release.

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THE CUCKOO AND THE WARBLER … A true New Zealand Story

By Heather Hunt and Kennedy Warne.

Reviewed by Peter Hayden (natural history writer and documentary maker)

The Cuckoo and the Warbler is a new book for young people illustrated by Heather Hunt with story by Kennedy Warne. The greatest things about this book is that it has something for readers of all ages. It tells a very dramatic story that most of us either don’t know or only know bits of. Until now.

This is the tale of our native birds, the Shining Cuckoo … Pipiwharauroa and the Grey Warbler … Riroriro and what happens between them is full of drama, a little sadness, and the whole book is a joy to look at.

The story begins each spring when Shining Cuckoos travel from islands north of Australia to Aotearoa. Shining cuckoos are only the size of sparrows, yet, they fly on this amazingly long journey, mostly over water for thousands of kilometers to get here.

They travel all this distance to breed and raise babies… and this is where the drama really begins. Shining Cuckoos don’t make their own nests. Instead, they lay their eggs in the nests of the tiny Riroriro. Not only do they persuade Riroriro to look after their eggs, but also to continue on and raise the chick that’s much bigger than its ‘adoptive’ parents. The cuckoo chick is hard work for the tiny Grey Warblers. It’s always loud, demanding and hungry.

Cuckoos around the world are well known for not raising their own young and persuading other bird species to do it for them. They are called ‘brood parasites’ which means they ‘con’ another bird to brood or look after their chicks. But this story is very much about our cuckoo and our Grey Warbler and it is a wonderful story that is really dramatic and a bit sad in places…

This of course is a picture book, and Kennedy Warne’s fine words are a perfect accompaniment to Heather Hunt’s breathtaking illustrations. More than the words, the pictures bring us face to face with the birds, showing us the drama, the sadness, the cruelty and the wonder of the little bit of evolutionary magic that is at the heart of The Cuckoo and the Warbler .

I am surprised how they managed to tell such a big story in which we learn so much and feel so much in just over 30 pages. Yet, the words and illustrations do not feel crammed. On the contrary, it is spacious and well laid out. It is a tight, bright and memorable story.

It isn’t easy to tell a detailed natural history story in the confines of a children’s book format. But they have pulled it off in fine style. It is the test of a good book if there is something in it for everyone. The Cuckoo and the Warbler will be enjoyed by readers of all ages… even by very young children who want to listen to the story while they look at the many details in Heather’s wonderful illustrations. I’m sure this book will do well for Heather and Kennedy… it is a winner.

Signed copies of The Cuckoo and the Warbler can be ordered here

Contact Backyard Kiwi

Any sightings of kiwi are of interest to Backyard Kiwi be it dead or alive

Another kiwi hit on the main road this week – usual spot between the Nook and McLeod Bay. Thanks to the driver who picked up the bird and contacted us

Todd says “The bird was a large healthy female her bill was 148mm – one of the biggest I have seen, probably 10 to 15 yrs old, was healthy but only 2625g (females can be well over 3000g this time of year) which probably means that she has laid 2 eggs already and dad is nesting on them somewhere nearby”

With a steadily expanding kiwi population there are many more reported sightings of live kiwi all over the area confirming that long term trapping at Whangarei Heads is really working.  Birds hit by cars is another indicator of increasing kiwi numbers – as unfortunate as this is – information gathered from dead kiwi is valuable and we ask anyone who does hit a kiwi or sees one of the road to please contact: Todd Hamilton 021 1145 385

Weed Action Whangarei Heads will be running a free weed control workshop on Sunday 29th May, 2pm at the Whangarei Heads School Hall.

We will be demonstrating lots of different control methods for the different weed species invading our gardens, coastlines and forests (there is a great selection to demonstrate on in the bush adjacent to the school…).

There will also be information on what specific weeds to be on the look out for out here, so we can stop weeds before they spread,  and on how you can access free equipment and herbicide for tackling weeds in your own little piece of Whangarei Heads paradise.

We would love to see everyone there – the weeds won’t stand a chance against the whole Whangarei Heads community!

For more information check out our Facebook page, ‘Weed Action Whangarei Heads’, or you can call me, Jo, on 022 056 2277, or email weedactionwh@gmail.com.

Moth plant pod collection competition!

Right now, festooned along road edges, draped over fences, and weighing down native trees, you will see moth plant vines covered in great big fat seed pods. Each of these pods contains up to 1000 seeds that can be dispersed for kilometres in the wind, creating 1000 more nasty moth plant vines to invade our forests.

Weed Action wants everyone to collect as many of these seed pods as they can, before they release their seeds. As an incentive, for every 10 pods collected, pod-collectors will receive an entry into a prize draw for two generously donated prizes – a pass for four people to experience the tree-top challenge courses at Adventure Forest in Glenbervie (check out www.adventureforest.co.nz to see how cool this place is), and a $50 voucher for the Parua Bay Tavern.

The pods can be dropped off to the Whangarei Heads School on our weed workshop day, Sunday 29th May, between 1pm and 4pm, or at the Tamaterau Reserve on Wednesday 8th June between 8.30am and 11.30am, or you can arrange to drop them in to me directly.

Don’t forget to wear gloves when handling the pods to avoid the white sap which is a skin irritant, and to bag them up in a rubbish bag to contain any seeds from splitting pods.

(For more information check out our Facebook page, Weed Action Whangarei Heads, or you can call  Jo, on 022 056 2277, or email weedactionwh@gmail.com)