Sunday 14th July 2024

The footprints that inspire us.

​Hello friend and family
On Monday morning I headed south to pick Dan up from Dunedin. He caught the shuttle in from the airport which saved me an hour of travel. This was the day of an 8-hour power cut, so we went to Vanessa’s for lunch. The sun was shining, we found a spot outside in the sun, it was very pleasant!

The native Broom is flowering.

​On Tuesday morning the team was joined by Patrick and Bruce and Jim from DOC Dunedin. The purpose of the meeting was to have Hoiho identified as a species that needs our support to avoid extinction. We want to be able to care for our penguins during the expected outbreak of HPAI, bird flu. It was a worthwhile meeting, despite the unknowns, which included when it will happen. 

The view from Oamaru

​We also got the call that our microscope had arrived in Oamaru, so on Wednesday morning, we went to town to get costings of antiseptics, PPE and the microscope. Thursday was another pleasant day, so Dan and Bronwyn planted some trees while Robbie and I met online with Jason from OPERA. (Otago Peninsula Environmental Restoration Alliance). In the afternoon, Dan and I went to the Bluffs to check the traps and admire the trees we planted on his last visit.

Moeraki harbour on a winter's evening

It was more tree planting on Friday, but Saturday was so cold we worked on the annual report, now complete, and the Aviary, now clean! Last night we went to the Tavern for tea – it was very busy and booked out. Today is cold and grey. We will hopefully plant more trees!
Have a great week!
Rosalie