Wellington has had a mild winter. Well, it has if you disregard two wild storms and a largish earthquake or two. My daffodils are out and the birds in Zealandia are getting frisky.
A pair of pied shags or karuhiruhi have set up a nest very close to the steps down to the pontoon. There were a few arguments about which twig should go where before settling down to marital harmony. No eggs yet but they are to be found sitting together in their nest preening and caring for each other. It is the first time a nest has been built on this tree which has been cut down and left to create perches above the lake. Lets hope they don't mind their proximity to people and go on to lay eggs and raise their chicks where everyone can see.
About this time each year we are visited by eastern rosellas. They come to feed on the buds of our flowering cherry. They are Australian cage birds which have escaped and thrived. They are far more colourful than the New Zealand natives and are perhaps a bit of a threat to our kakariki as they share the same niches but I enjoy their yearly visit to the garden. They look like large budgerigars. The tui though do not have any time for them and try to chase them out with wing shaking aggression, often with success.
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An eastern rosella on our flowering cherry
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At this time of year seals appear around the harbour resting and sunning themselves.This one has been on the rocks in front of Frank Kitts Park close to Wellington's business and shopping centre. So far it has not gone for a wander on the main street but every so often they do venture a little inland. They certainly help with Wellington City's desire to brand itself as an 'eco-city'.
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| A seal blending in with the rocks on Wellington's foreshore |
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