Tuesday, August 27, 2013

28-08-2013

Look what I saw today






It's a Spur winged Plover chick. There were 2 of them with Mum and Dad on the Mason. Mum was still on the nest so I suspect there are more to come.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

25-08-2013

A stunning day yesterday saw me on the south side of the river taking a walk.
Apart from some beautiful views nothing much around but I ended up stopped by some earth works that had been carried out probably by a local farmer protecting his fields. I got up level with the first bluff on the Rotherham road. I could have scrambled over the earthworks but thought discretion was the better part of valor as I was on my own. If anyone fancy's a walk in the near future let me know. When I check out the map when I got back the area appears green with a swamp/wetlands marked up, so I guess that I will either have to get through it or walk up the other side of the river.


There were a lot of tracks of various types. Some of which were definitely predators but a range of different bird tracks as well. Unfortunately I don't know enough about tracks to work out which was which. I think it is an area for future study.



When I got back to the area where the Mason enters the Waiau the Black-fronted Terns were still settling on the island in the middle and joining them for the first time this year were the Black-billed Gulls, just 6 at the moment but happily sitting on the end of the island. This would be a great place for them to nest as it normally survives most inundations and is relatively protected by the fast flowing water on both sides. It would also be a relatively easy place to put traps down.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

22-08-2013

Well despite rain warnings we have a beautiful day and I took the opportunity to get down on the river to check for new arrivals.

 Banded Dotterel
 Banded Dotterel arriving
South Island Pied Oystercatcher

After walking down from the Mason river bridge I eventually found one Dotterel on the Mason but just up from the Waiau. As I was standing there the one in flight arrived. It's a long way back from the North Island.

The South Island Pied Oystercatchers (there were 2), Were in the same area as last year so hopefully will nest again.

They were extracting gravel on the south side of the Waiau but the terns seemed unperturbed and were busy flying in front of the bulldozer picking up grubs. Others were settled on a gravel island just in front of where they were working.



Tuesday, August 20, 2013

21-08-2013


Just to let you know the first 24 trap boxes have arrived. Bruce will continue working on the rest. Now all we need is the traps to go in them.The traps are due to arrive Christchurch at the end of the month. I have a warning stencil to go on the lids and I will try that out in the next week and also different ways of numbering them.
We have very kindly been donated an old GPS so we can plot the position for each trap.

The rivers are both dropping again but will no doubt rise with the rain forecast for tomorrow. This makes it a bit difficult to get down on the riverbed and check for birds. I was there last Friday and there was nothing around and as soon as I can I will go back down and have another look - apparently most of them normally arrive mid August.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

11-08-2013

Despite the rain a group of Waiau Rivercare members went out this morning and erected the last 2 signs.  So we now have signs at Riverside Reserve and the South side of the Waiau on the access track down to the river and hopefully visible from the bridge.








Thursday, August 8, 2013

09-08-2013


The first Rare Bird Breeding Area Sign has gone up today.
On the fence at the entrance to the Angler access track in Highfield Street.
It certainly catches the eye.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

08-08-2013


I have just got back from a walk by the rivers.
The Waiau was running a lot higher today after the rain in the head waters.
Today there was Black-fronted Terns, Southern Black-backed Gulls, a Little Black Shag and 3 Pied Stilts  - it is getting busier on the rivers.


Sunday, August 4, 2013

05-08-2013



A beautiful day on the river today and the Black fronted Terns were taking full advantage of a sunny spot in the middle of the Waiau. 13 in this group and more flying and twirling in the sky. No sign yet of any of the other birds but if this weather continues it won't be long now.
I walked down beyond riverside reserve and can almost get to the end of our designated catchment area opposite the Lime quarry if the river keeps falling I should be able to get around the corner. Later this week I hope to try and take a walk up the east bank on the south side of the river.