First we need to talk about the lupin’s favoured environment being mainily the braided rivers which drain the Southern Alps – rivers that find it impossible to run in a straight line, and be anything other than dynamic. When in flood braided rivers carry sediment from the ever rising mountains [geologically speaking] and landslides that… Continue reading The great New Zealand lupin debate and why it matters
Category: NZ Native Birds
Makarora Braided River – an under estimated biodiversity hotspot
From the headwaters of the Makarora on the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps near the Haast Pass in Mt Aspiring National Park. The Makarora River flows south west and is joined by the Blue and the Young Rivers, then extending its braid plain further meeting its confluence with the Wilkin River before dissipating its… Continue reading Makarora Braided River – an under estimated biodiversity hotspot
Kaki /Black Stilt release of 60 birds this week in the Tasman River Valley near Mt Cook National Park this week
The kakī, or black stilt, is an endemic native wading bird found only in New Zealand, and it is regarded by the Māori as a living treasure – a taonga species. The population in 2017 is 106 wild adult birds, so the release represents a significant increase in numbers – lets hope stoats and cats… Continue reading Kaki /Black Stilt release of 60 birds this week in the Tasman River Valley near Mt Cook National Park this week
Radio Interview with DOC’s Corey Mosen on Kea, and Ajax his Kea Conservation Dog
Corey and his dog Ajax have stayed with me a few times at Aspiring Hut in Mt Aspiring National Park, and this morning on National Radio he was interviewed by Kim HIll, where he gives an excellent 15 min. interview about where we’re at in saving our incredibly intelligent, loveable and witty alpine parrot Hear… Continue reading Radio Interview with DOC’s Corey Mosen on Kea, and Ajax his Kea Conservation Dog
Kākā like men with beards
The South Island kākā are Nationally Vulnerable and of significant concern, especially when you see how they behave with bearded men. Their amusing antics and raucousness led Māori to refer to them as chattering and gossiping – now we can add grooming: Video courtesy of Brian Miller ~ https://lifelogs.co.nz