Barmy or Balmy Army?

The tui or parson bird in all its beauty with yellow pollen on its head.

A different sort of coloured, noisy songsters - The Barmy Army, avid supporters of English cricket

The group we were to show around Zealandia yesterday were Brits from a  cricket tour party. They came later in the day and looked a little 'toured out' on arrival. Their tour guide said ninety minutes would be plenty instead of the advised two hours.
We welcomed them and ushered them in into the exhibition area. After the movie we had a quick talk about what they wished to do. After all it was their holiday and their choice on how to enjoy it. Most opted to come out into the valley but one guy said if he had to see another bird he was most likely to want to shoot it! We suggested time spent in the Rata Cafe might be a better option for him and his mates so off they went to find a comfortable seat and a  bottle of wine or two. They could relax in comfort and look out over the valley rather than have to walk through it. And our birds were safe from that particular element of the Barmy Army!

I had a group of seven to show through the valley and they were definitely more of the balmy kind. They were interested and very knowledgeable on bird life. They had already seen albatross in Dunedin and had visited a bird sanctuary there in between attending the first cricket match test between New Zealand and England.
New Zealand had acquitted themselves well and England had perhaps underestimated our cricketing ability which is not surprising as our cricketing ability is an ephemeral thing. No one knows how we will go on the day which is one of the joys of following New Zealand cricket. Its always a drama, especially test matches where the drama can go on for days - though if New Zealand survives for the full five days that is an achievement in itself .
I am an unconditional lover of the Black Caps and a fair weather follower. If they are doing badly, which they can do in a spectacular way I switch the radio channel. If they are doing well I hold my breath and hope for the best, enjoying the cameos of brilliance for as long as they last.
Radio is the best way to follow cricket as you can continue on with your life as you listen in. I cleared transects in Zealandia during the first test. As it had finished in a noble draw despite our best efforts and  due to a day and a bit lost to rain I felt the Black Caps had done well.
Tomorrow the second test is starting in Wellington and my nephew has given me a free ticket so I will be spending some time at the lovely Basin Reserve watching the game as it unfolds. The English Barmy Army will be there no doubt supporting the English with songs, chants and flag waving, including my tour group.
We had a lovely wander through the valley and saw plenty of tui, their plumage iridescent in the sun as they sang and performed for us. They have two voice boxes which they can use simultaneously, making for a beautiful song. They can also make more guttural sounds and are great imitators. A while back it sounded as though we had gibbons in Zealandia due to the fact the tui had been visiting the zoo and had picked up their calls. At times we could see their beaks moving but could hear no sound. This is due to them singing out of our hearing range. The tuft of white feathers at their throats bobbled as they sang. This tuft caused the early settlers to name them as Parson Birds.
Here is a link for more information: http://www.visitzealandia.com/species-member/tui/

My group were entranced by what they had seen and were effusive in their praise. Their tiredness had gone and they were refreshed by the atmosphere and the sights.
I said I hoped to see them at the cricket and pointed out they could also see the Wellington Dragon Boat Regatta on Saturday on the way to the Basin and we left content.