Sunday 26th May 2024

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