A Young Kaka Leaves the Nest.

Lynn Freeman, one of the volunteers at Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary, staked out a kaka nest recently hoping to photo the young fledglings leaving their nest. Her hours of patience was rewarded with some wonderful footage which I will link this blog to. She also took a marvellous series of photos (posted also on Alfie Kaka's Facebook page) showing a young kaka take its first steps into the big wide world.  I have reproduced them here as well as her dialogue musing about what a young kaka may be thinking.

One small step for kaka, one giant leap for bird-kind

Just as well I practised a few yoga moves while in the nestbox! 

What a struggle! I call this yoga pose "downward bird". 

Trying to turn around is very challenging 

Hmmm.... maybe it's safer back inside 

Now Dad has turned up to give us some wise instructions on how to fledge 

OK, I'm out. Now what? 

I'd like to climb up here... but I can't quite reach and grab

Aaaaarrgghhh! The inevitable pratfall as gravity asserts itself. Uncle Alfie Kaka warned me about this!— at Zealandia Ecosanctuary.

Well it looks like I've fledged!

Hmmm... so this is the big wide world!

Thank goodness Dad is here to keep an eye on me.

Fledging Phase One

Kaka fledging phase two

Dragon boat practice and inclement weather meet head on.

Paddling on Wellington Harbour is nothing if not exhilarating.

We had our first two practices of the year this week. The first was in a wild sea and the next cut short by torrential rain blown in from the south.

On Monday we gathered, swapped stories of christmas and holidays then got down to business. We warmed up with runs, stretches, skipping and sparring. During the runs I took a look at the harbour. It was surging as the water was pushed around by very strong northerly winds. We got the boat out then worked out a little in the lagoon before heading into the harbour. As we paddled under the bridge we were met by a surge or two which lifted the nose of the boat up and threw a few of the paddlers off their stride. We attacked the waves battling as manfully as a boatload of women can manage. There were two other boats out as well for the first time and the chase boat kept a close eye on us all and motored between us. The wind whipped around us and caused water to slosh in over the side. We headed into a sheltered spot between two wharves for a bit of respite and to bail out as we were ankle deep in water. The coach also decided to bail out and jumped on to a platform and then on to the wharf side so that he could better see our action. As he was explaining what he wanted from us my neighbouring paddler nudged me and pointed out to the far end of the stretch of water by the wharf opposite. There was a dragon boat sitting low in the water. On closer inspection it was actually under the water with its paddlers still sitting in it or hanging on to the sides. They had been swamped. Luckily our dragon boats are double hulled so do not sink. The rescue boat was occupied getting people on board then ferrying them in to shore via the lagoon. We pointed out the scenario  to the coach as it would be foolish of us to head out in open water again while the chase boat had its hands full with one capsize as it was.

We decided to practise starts and to stop short before leaving shelter to avoid encountering the large swell now rolling in. This involved racing forward then back paddling to the start once more. It was tough on the sweep who was having trouble keeping upright at times. It was tough on us as our back paddling muscles usually don't get such a workout. I was at the back of the boat for once and was a bit alarmed to see how slow we were at times at following instructions. In conditions like that you need a quick response or capsize will be the result. It made me nervous about the return trip we were going to have to make to get back to the safety of the lagoon. All it would take for a capsize would be the sweep falling off the back and the paddlers not responding quick enough to stabilise the boat.

The coach climbed back in and as the rescue of the capsized boat was complete we ventured back out into the high seas - well- the high and low seas as we were constantly rolling as the surges hit us side on. Fear does wonders and we paddled hard and strong, did a long sweeping turn courtesy of our captain on the long oar at the back of the boat, and came into the lagoon almost catching a wave as we raced in under the bridge.

Our next practice started off well. Due to the southerly blowing the sea was flat and we were protected from the wind. There were ominous clouds on the horizon though and as we went through our programme the sky got darker and darker. Big fat drops of rain started to fall which turned rapidly into a torrent. Despite the exercise we began to get chilled. Then the chase boat pulled up alongside us. One of the blokes in it told us that the Harbour Master had sent out a radio message that all boats had to get off the harbour as a fifty knot squall was coming through at any moment. Again we high-tailed back into the lagoon. As we swept in a loud clap of thunder echoed over the city. We hauled up and put the boat away extra quick. Despite the conditions the outing had been exhilarating and I felt excited and thrilled to be out fighting the elements once again.

Lets hope future practises will continue to give us thrills and challenges.

Here is a link to what we might expect on race day:
Race Day

Launching the boat can be tricky due to a slippery ramp but it is sheltered.

The Story of Rangipo the Ruru.

Owl setting up home in a kaka nest box

Our little owl, Rangipo the ruru has fledged. He was never supposed to be on our nest box route to start with. The nest boxes are set up for kaka, the North Island parrot as Zealandia does not have enough old mature trees to produce places for them to nest in. His mum though was not to be thwarted.

A grid designed to keep out ruru. No doubt curious kaka used their beaks to remove most of the twigs.

The mother to be squeezed in and laid her eggs despite our efforts to keep her out

My nest monitor buddy discovered her setting up home in the of the boxes and despite her best efforts to discourage her she was not to be put off and laid two perfect little white eggs.

Once an egg was laid we gave in and allowed Mrs Ruru to stay. Her penalty was that she ended up being harassed by the paparazzi

Two ruru eggs in the nest box

One hatched and a little bundle of white fluff was produced. The egg looked as if it had exploded rather than hatched with egg shards scattered everywhere. It was if the chick had erupted from a volcanic event. As a result we called the chick Rangipo after the Rangipo Desert near Mt Ruapehu. The desert was named Rangipo by Maori after an eruption which made the sky dark and ominous during the day.

We visited biweekly and watched him grow from a ball of white fluff to a young owl ready to take his place in the night sky. We saw what his mother brought into the nest for him to eat.

Rangipo just hatched. He must have popped out with volcanic force as there are tiny pieces of egg shell everywhere

Rangipo a couple of weeks later with his unhatched sibling and a tasty snack of weta ready for him to eat.

Rangipo getting his adult feathers, ready for fledging.

Poor mother! Each visit we disturbed her and caused her to blearily leave the nest. We were not too concerned about disrupting her as we did not want her to think that kaka nest boxes were the best places to rear her young. Hopefully next time she will remember and choose a natural nest site where humans will not bother her. Also if the tui and kaka spied her out in the day light they descended upon her screeching and attacking. It was as if they knew she might steal their young to feed her own.

Mrs Morepork (ruru, owl) looking distinctly cheesed off about being disturbed yet again

Go away you photo crazy people and leave me in peace!

The little owl was clever though. Once I watched her as she crouched on a short branch tucked up next to a tree. A tui flew in again and again but could not get close enough to get in a peck without endangering itself. It then sat still up above her waiting, hoping she would move. The little owl knew it was there though and would not comply. Instead she called out soft churring sounds to comfort Rangipo and let him know she was nearby and that all was alright.

I was a little sad to visit one day and find the nest empty. Rangipo had gone. I cleaned out the nest box to prevent a second nest to be started and to keep things hygienic.

On night tours now when I hear the morepork cry I will wonder if it is our own Rangipo which we watched grow up before our eyes.

For more information on the ruru and to hear its call go to this link:

I hope Rangipo has a happy and fruitful life in Zealandia, living off the bounty of the forest and does not get harassed too often by either humans or  tui.

Merry Christmas

The christmas tree was outshone by the beautiful day outside

Christmas in Wellington was supposed to be rain and gale force winds. But hooray, the winds shot through last night, leaving everybody's roofs still attached. Instead there is a mild breeze and a brilliant sunny blue sky. We are having a quiet start before putting a lunch of cold ham and salads together for the family. No Christmas drinkies at this point or lunch may end up weird.

We are listening to Radio New Zealand and loving all the stories of our childhood. BadJelly the Witch by Spike Milligan is just the best! People from round the world are texting in and there are conversations with New Zealanders in strange places.

I woke to discover my pavlova base holding together, looking fragile but yummy. Soon it will be covered in cream and topped with kiwi fruit. The jelly maker had forgotten to put the jelly in the fridge so it was rather runny. Have put it in the fridge but if all else fails we will freeze the thing into solidity.

My pavlova tasted as good as it looked.

The garden is not quite ready to produce for Christmas Day as we have had a little cold spell which put things back. No peas yet but I have three big beans - not enough to feed eight alas. I would have had a strawberry but a bird got it first.

Our christmas presents are sorted already this year. Every second year Wellington holds its Arts Festival and our christmas present to each other is to buy tickets, eat out and have fun. What we see is a bit of a lottery sometimes but we are never disappointed. We enjoy the bad, weird and strange along with the truly sensational. So, February is to be anticipated and our presents yet to be enjoyed.

Fruit salad, ambrosia, trifle, jelly, pavlova - we went overboard with dessert

Evening.
After an indulgent lunch it was time to relax. We had opened presents between courses so there was nothing left to do but finish the wine, and wind down with tea and christmas cake. As it was warm and mild, after the guests left I found a lounger and went and lounged. Bliss! No worries about dinner as we will be dining on left overs for a week.
Christmas Day in Wellington was the best place in New Zealand to celebrate it yet again.

Tucking in to pudding

Pavlova - New Zealand's signature dessert

Wellington's christmas day was one out of the box, encouraging people to take to the water.

Taupo Half Ironman.

On the way out during the 90k cycle.

Finally the training was over and the Kellogs NutrigrainTaupo Half Ironman was imminent. I had spent the last five months running and cycling the hills of Wellington and trying to gain the ability to swim two kilometres without panic or stress. The swimming was still looming large in my head so I had taken the opportunity to head to Taupo with friends to scope the course two weeks before the real thing. I proved to myself I could do half the course in two days and scared myself silly swimming alone in the lake. Oddly enough, once I had swum the required distance I relaxed completely and swam about with no trouble. I definitely had a head issue rather than a problem with the ability to do the distance.
Once back in Wellington I tackled the problem by sea swimming every second day, buying ear plugs and focussing on what I could control rather than jut stressing.

5.45 am - time to get wetsuits on and check everything is organised

Me and my squad up and ready for the challenge

A tidal wave of human bodies. I am out there somewhere towards the back keeping out of trouble.

Two weeks later I was back at Taupo with my squad at 5.30  in the morning waiting at the start and trying to keep nerves under control. I was struggling to get into my wetsuit when the coach casually grabbed hold of my suit by its sides, lifted me off the ground and shook me into it. Problem solved!
The thought of swimming two kilometres with 800 others kicking you in the face is not a pleasant one. To save myself being run over by a tidal wave of human bodies I put myself with my squad towards the back of the pack. I looked to where we were heading and calculated a point to the left of a hill as a guide to where tI should aim for. The orange buoy was too far off to see and people's splashing would obscure it anyway. The hooter went and off we started. My mantra was 'don't panic, just swim.' I found clear water quite soon which was a relief. It was also a relief to check where I was going and to find I was on course. I kept to a rhythm and a space which did not stress me at all. Every so often I tangled with someone else's arms or legs but to my surprise I was actually coping. It took a while but finally I was catching sight of the big orange buoy. I swam towards it but the next time I looked I could not see it. I caught a flash of orange in my periphery vision. Blow! I had somehow swam past the thing and was metres from it. It took a minute or more to get back to it, then to swim to the other one further out that you had to swim round before heading back.
What a waste of time that caused me, but never mind, I had new problems. I had not thought about what to sight for on the way back. All I could see ahead of me was splashing and the feet of the person in front of me. I had recently been taught the new skill of drafting and decided to put it into practice. I locked in beside the body of the feet I could see and swam close to her. I would let her do the scoping and direction finding and I would save energy by keeping my head down and trust she was going in the right direction. This worked a treat. I calmed down and just swam to her pattern. After a while I lost her, but latched on to another and repeated the exercise. I also began to see buoys to my right so did not feel so lost. In the distance I could see a large one but I did not get my hopes until I saw everyone turning at it. I managed going around that buoy far more efficiently  this time then swam for shore while reminding myself not to get ahead of things - don't stand too soon and to just head for the green mat on shore. Finally I stood carefully and allowed the blood to redistribute from the horizontal to the vertical by not rushing things. There was 300 metres to cover to get to transition and as I jogged along the green mat I removed the top half of my wetsuit and thought about the next phase and where I needed to go to find my bike.

Running up the green mat to transition while trying to extricate my self from the wet suit

I spent a bit of time in transition as I struggled out of my wetsuit and removed my bonnet and goggles. I swigged a gel then got on with the task of getting cycle shoes on wet feet, finding my helmet and glasses and drying off a little. It was going to be warm so I did not bother with putting anything over my tri-suit. I grabbed my bike and set off towards the exit sign, glad I had spent time orienting myself the day before when I had racked it in the correct spot. Nervous of doing anything new  and not practised, I had decided to use my camel-bac for fluids rather than drop and collect water bottles from the drink areas. I had a horror that I would miss picking up a new one as people handed them out, or I would drop it and cause others behind me to crash. Safety first I thought and everyone one would be better off if I avoided the whole issue by carrying what I needed even though that meant extra weight. We started off around the waterfront then turned a sharp left to head up a hill out of town. Alas though, I had my gearing wrong and dropped my chain on the hill which was most annoying. It took only a few seconds to get going again but I was grumpy with myself for not getting it right.

Stocking up on fluids and gels on the way out

The bikes spread out in a long line. Bike rules are extremely specific in ironman which make this part of the race very safe. Every bike has to be ten metres away from the bike in front. If you pass, you must achieve the manoeuvre in twenty seconds. Of course you have to keep left as well. Also a large section of the course was closed to traffic. Compared to the Round Taupo Challenge which I have done in the past this was great. No crazy bunch riding and no crazy passing. Sweet! The day was pleasant with light cloud and a gentle wind which would push me home after the turnaround. I kept an eye on the time and concentrated on getting fluids and food on board - electrolytes and gels and jelly fruit lollies thrown in as well.

It was an absolutely beautiful day to be out on a bike

I sailed past the drink stations, signalling I was not in need of anything. I watched a few exchanging old drink bottles for new and decided I would have to practise this in the future rather than carrying the extra weight on my back. I looked up and saw the first of the elite riders coming towards me having made a break for it. They had already done the turnaround and were heading back at the rate of knots. They looked amazing with their tri-bikes and special helmets. I had not invested in a tri bike which has aero bars on which you rest with your elbows, plus specialised wheels. All very costly so I was happy to make do with my tried and true road bike. IIt did remind me to get down on my drops to reduce wind resistance and continued to the turning point trying to keep my speed up as I went.
Finally I was heading back. Though slightly uphill the wind behind made a difference and it was relatively easy. I had tried this part of the course a couple of weeks ago and the wind had made the journey difficult so it was good to be sailing along this time. With no cars, no spectators and cyclists only at least ten metres behind or in front I could look out at the scenery - a lush pastoral scene with geothermal activity at places reminding me that the whole area is volcanic and relatively active. Lake Taupo itself is a vast crater caused by an eruption thousands of years ago.

For the last part the cloud burned off and the sun came out. The run was going to be hot. I came into transition and remembered where my bike had to go and where my gear was. I tried to change footwear and stuff down a banana at the same time with little success and ended up wasting time and messing about but finally I had shoes on, hat on and a new layer of sun cream. A final swill of a gel and liquid and I was off on the run.

The run was along the waterfront and very picturesque but I was doing it tough at this point with my legs in bike mode plus I had a bit of stomach cramp - and the heat was getting to me and sapping my energy.

I was not so sure of this part of the course and had to call out to marshals for directions. It took a while to get some rhythm going as my legs were still in bike mode. The heat made it tough going and I was glad of the drink stations. I worked out a plan. At each station there were three tables. I took an electrolyte drink and a water to pour down my neck at the first table, then at the last  I took two more waters - one for a sip then to tip over my body again as well as the other. I avoided my head as in the past when I poured water on it the sweat had run down into my eyes and stung like mad. Being nice and wet refreshed me and I was able to pick up a little pace. The course was two loops along the waterfront. There people everywhere to cheer you on. Twice my coach's truck with supporters in it drove by yelling encouragement out the window. which lifted my spirits. I completed the first lap feeling good. I picked up my pink arm bungey to indicate as I went past transition and completed the first lap. As I went to head out again I noticed a table with ice available. A kind lady filled my hat and stuck it on my head then shovelled a decent scoop down into my bra. That was certainly a wake- up call! I forced down another gel and sucked ice from the supply down my front. My hat began to leak cool dribbles of water down my neck which also kept me alert. Runners were approaching me, almost finished. I envied them as I had ten kilometres to go. Then first one, then another almost finisher was struck down with cramp. I decided to be a saviour and offered them a shot of Cramp Stop. This is a little bottle of something that you spray under your tongue. For most people the cramp will go in thirty seconds as the magnesium component hits the muscles. I hate cramp so had carried this in my side pocket. At the beginning of the run I had had a bit of stitch in my side and Cramp Stop had helped with that. The two blokes grabbed at my little bottle like drowning men finding a life raft and squirted themselves in the mouth. I did not wait to see how effective it was. I needed to stop wasting time and get going once more. The ice was doing a great job of keeping me cool and the supply from my bra was perfect to suck on and keep my mouth moist. At the drink stations hoses had been added - just lovely. Without that I would have been tempted to trot down to the lake and jump in for a few minutes.
Before the turn around was my last hill. I started up and passed an athletic young man who was at that point reduced to a struggling walk. Once passed I heard him calling out 'Mum! I want a carry! Mum! Mum!'
'No,' I said.
'Aw please - I need a carry!'
'No,' I said, laughing.
'I am so gutted,' he cried.
I considered saying 'If you run to the top of the hill I will give you a treat.' If he caught me up I would delve into my cleavage and give him some ice. Then I thought 'No - its my ice and I am going to be selfish. I need it for myself.'
His humour had cheered me up no end and I chuckled all the way to the next drink stop, pondering on how I am always seen as Mum these days and never as a potential date. However he could have quite reasonably been calling out 'Granny' so I had nothing really to complain about.
To my satisfaction he never caught me up.

Perked up and looking forward to finishing

At the last two drink tables they were offering flat coke to give a caffeine boost  to get you over the line. Since I had not tried this I kept away from it and stuck to the electrolyte drink and water plus getting a hose down at every opportunity. By this stage I was feeling quite free and was running well. I was pleased I had not walked at any stage. The last part was up a hill then into the park to the finish line. I had enough energy to keep my head up and to put on a little burst to cross the line.

Finished under seven hours - just

I can stop running at last

I got my timing chip off, my participation medal on then gratefully stood under the shower to cool down. I was pleased with my time as I had made it under seven hours. I found my squad members who had already finished and cheered the others as they came in.

My participation medal - but the shower at this point was the most rewarding thing - as well as being able to stop.

Exhausted I then went back to our cabin for food, rest and a stand in the nearby lake to ice my legs.

Later I discovered I should have stayed for the prize giving as I was third in my age group. There was just six minutes separating us first three out, and I mused that with a little more focus I could have picked up that time and got a better result. Never mind, with the third I have qualified for the World's long course at Weihai, China in September. This is a daunting thought, as the race I had just completed was my first half ironman. At this point I will just think about it - more than that  is way too scary!

The celebratory dinner in the evening put on by supporters - thanks guys, and thanks to coach Shane standing on right who said I was up to the challenge.

A half ironman is lots of fun - when it is almost over!

Glory be for New Zealand Trees

The mauve flowers of the poroporo plus developing fruit

My most recent run was a tired affair so I allowed myself time to stop often and view my surroundings. What mainly attracted me was the poroporo which is looking absolutely gorgeous. It is flowering at present and is covered in beautiful mauve flowers which  glisten in the sunlight. In fact flowering of all trees seems to be prolific this year. The ti kouka or cabbage trees have been a mass of bloom with sprays of tiny buff coloured flowers. All this bounty is beginning to make people excited as it may indicate we are going to have a mast year. Flowering and fruiting in New Zealand trees does not happen every year. Every second or third year heavy flowering and fruiting occurs. This is called masting. Some of our endangered birds will only breed in mast years and this is true of our wonderful kakapo or night parrot. There are only about one hundred and twenty five of the green flightless parrot left in the world. For the last two years the males have made their bowls or leks then boomed and chinged all night in the hopes of attracting a female. The females said no and no babies have been born for two years. Unless they can be sure there will be plenty of food for their young they will not mate. The fruiting of the rimu tree seems to be the key. So here's hoping that way down on Codfish Island the kakapo decide its time to reproduce and we get an increase of these amazing green flightless parrots which wander around the bush at night. Before man arrived kakapo were the third most common bird in New Zealand. It must have been an amazing sight at night to see these fat green parrots ambling around and to hear the boom and ching of the males echoing throughout the islands as they tried to entice females to their leks.
Kakapo information

When the rimu fruits heavily the kakapo will breed.

I stopped often to photograph different trees as I ran. We have had a wet warm spring and the growth is positively lush and the smell poignant. Away from New Zealand it is the smell of the bush I miss most. Alas not many birds were present as I ran due to rats, cats, stoats etc. It makes me value Zealandia even more as it shows what we could have with a little effort. Maybe one day even kakapo can once again roam through the bush and its odd sounds will echo in people's back yards.

A poroporo shrub glistening in the sun

A nikau palm - the only palm in the world that does not produce a nut.

A lemon wood or tarata. When the leaves are crushed a delicious lemony smell is released.

The mahoe or whiteywood glistens in the sun.

The kawakawa produces an  edible yellow peppery fruit. Its leaves can be infused to make a pepper flavoured tea.

The makomako (meaning like shark's teeth in Maori) or wineberry in its juvenile form. Settlers used its fruit to make wine.

Honey produced from manuka flowers has antibiotic properties and is highly sought after.

A young totara pine. In 500 years it will be one of the dominant trees in the Ngaio Gorge

A totara tree looking lush with spring growth

Hangehange is a shrub that fills niches in the undergrowth, covering banks wherever it can get a foothold.

Whau looks strangely tropical with its large soft leaves