Weta in The Hugh Crawford DOC Reserve - Ngunguru

 There is a stack of weta up under this loose totara bark in the bush. 

Australasian Bittern

 Wonderful! An Australasian Bittern has visited our wetland again. We have not seen one since march this year. They are so deliberate and stealthful.

Mātātā in our wetland at Old Mill Ln, Ngunguru

 We have so many Mātātā that have made our wetland their home.

They are heard over all the wetland and with a little patience, easily photographed.

Piwakawaka Nest

 The two Piwakawaka chicks have fledged. This nest was near our deck so we were able to see the chicks being fed in the Kanuka after fledging. 

We love the detail these birds go to to make a tight, little and lasting nest like this one. There is moss, lichen, grass and other stiff fibres then spider web binding it all tight together.

 

Also off our deck - Piwakawaka feeding their chicks

 We can watch these busy little fellows all day. They are a delight.

New Zealand Giant Centipede

 Melva noticed this beautiful fellow climbing down a kanuka by our deck. It then proceeded to force itself into a Weta hole to eat thye Weta. It managed to get most of its body in. This centipede is about 25cm long.

Weta remains

About to enter the Weta hole

Well inside the Weta hole

Orchids and Toropapa

 It's that  time of year again when Toropapa (Alseuosmia Banksii) is in bloom and many of our native orchids are in bloom. Take a walk across our boardwalk at Old Mill Ln, Ngunguru and into the Hugh Crawford DOC Reserve for a scent sensation from the small Toropapa blooms and go on an orchid hunt. There are many different kinds of native orchids in this bush as there is also an abundance of Toropapa flowering.

Toropapa

Toropapa

Orchid Flower

Orchid in flower

Green Geko

 Today we were lucky to be visited by the beautiful Green Geko. It was in the Kanuka right beside our deck.