 Trying out the new nest box. Hello friends and family, The temperatures have dropped. Single digit highs and lots of cloud. This resulted in fewer trees being planted this week.  The early flowering Kowhai brings Bellbirds to the garden On Thursday, after doing the rounds, we went to the Bluffs to check out another dead Grays Beaked Whale. This one was slightly larger than the first one, no wounds to be seen, but, sadly, dead, all the same. We took a DOC ranger with us, measured the Whale and took samples for DNA analysis.  The whale This was also the day when we found out that our application to the ORC for funding was successful! This is very exciting as it means we can get a new microscope for out blood work. On Friday I set out shortly after 8 am and drove to Christchurch. There I met up with Pauline, our wonderful vet, and went out to lunch. She dropped me off at the airport and I flew to Christchurch where I was met by Dan. He took me out to tea and the on Saturday morning, to breakfast. This is city living at its best!  the 27 pair are easily distracted The purpose of the visit was to attend the WReNNZ conference primarily about the new Bird Flu. I am very pleased that we went to this because I came away reassured that MPI and DOC are taking this seriously and making sound decisions. We have work to do to prepare. I also learned how to prepare and interpret poo samples so double reason to celebrate a new microscope.  Mr 89 on guard as Mrs 89 tries out the nest One of the things I learned was that the virus will survive longer in feathers than in poop. We will have to re-think our moult management. After the day’s session at the zoo, Dan dropped me back at the airport and I flew back to Christchurch, where Pauline had prepared a delicious dinner. After coffee, I headed home. I set cruise control at 99 kph and was home in 3 1/2 hours. The temperature around Temuka hovered around 2 degrees, but when I crossed over the Waitaki river it went up to 10 degrees but was windy. Today’s maximum is forecast to be 8 degrees! Have a great week! Rosalie   Mrs 26 wasted no time lingering once she was free again. Hello friends and family, The week was off to another glorious start. Sunday was so nice, after planting 15 trees here in the morning, I went to the Bluffs and planted another 10 in the afternoon. It was great to be outside and finish the day with a feeling of accomplishment.  my helper in the tree nursery The team came on Tuesday and after nest upgrades down the hill, we planted another 20 trees at Okahau. On Thursday, the cold spell arrived – no tree planning in the icy conditions, but we did upgrade several nest sites.  morning reward for getting up early Friday was the day of the “End of season’ meeting in Dunedin, so Robbie and I set off early to be in Dunedin at 9 am. It was not a fast trip as the road has not yet been gritted for the winter, but there was only ice in one spot. The temperature did get down to minus three degrees.  evening skies The meeting went well but there was no indication of a change of direction, only a bit of tinkering to keep the workers quiet. When I got home, I weighed Bruno, who is now heavy enough to be released.  The last of the autumn colours in the garden This morning it is grey and cold, great weather for manual work. Have a great week! Rosalie  solar aurora Hello friends and family Happy Mother’s day to all you mothers out there! It has been a steady week here. The mornings have been cold, but then the sun has come out and the afternoons have been lovely. Toby and Jan came out on Tuesday morning, and we continued with the nest box upgrades. Wednesday was my day at the Toptip. I had a steady stream of people but made very little money. It was good to catch up with the regulars, then get 4mm of rain in the afternoon.  keeping us alert On Thursday, Jan and I were joined by Toby, Mark, and Bronwyn. This meant we got 20 trees planted. The ground remains soft but not too wet.  Planting at a landscape level The tourists just keep coming, undeterred by the cold or the wind. Their parking continues to be creative, but I have only been blocked out once. Robbie returned Bruno on Friday afternoon, looking fantastic, thanks to the South Island Wildlife hospital, and Pauline.  Bruno with Mrs 26 in the background Yesterday I got a phone call at 6:30am – the aurora was glowing beautifully. In my socks and pyjamas, it was rather cold - zero degrees. Much more amazing at 8:30 last night when the solar aurora filled half the sky. It was clearly visible by sight and intensified by my cell phone camera. I have about 20 awesome shots in a week when I have a surplus of photos anyway. Sigh.  Shag point under the aurora Have a great week! Rosalie  Checking out the habitat. Hello friends and family, We were treated to glorious weather for the start of the week. Light breezes and sunshine took us up to 20 degrees C and it was great to be outside and active. The team came out on Tuesday, and we found a lot of penguins at home down the hill. They are checking out the nest upgrades that we are doing and were generally making a lot of noise.  The seal pups are everywhere By Thursday they were all out fishing and on Friday, the big swells arrived from the south to give the seals a bit of fun in the surf. Yesterday I planted my 10 trees at the Bluffs. It was a lovely day and a pleasure to be outside and active.  Our early Kowhai is starting to bloom. Have a great week! Rosalie |
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