Pukawa Rain

We did get 5mls of light rain yesterday and another 3mls over night but it is once again very hot with a lot of blue sky showing. Each afternoon sees the temperature rising above thirty degrees so the moisture evaporates very quickly. Hopefully we will get the predicted rain this afternoon.

Mice & Rat Movement

After several months of little activity in our traps we have suddenly had a number of rat kills indicating that the rats are moving prior to Winter. Protect your house and buildings over Easter to save yourself heart-ache from Winter damage. I have caught two mice this week and they can cause damage inside the house and seem able to squeeze in through the smallest hole.

Continuing Drought

The dry continues, the bush is beginning to look stressed and it is difficult to keep the garden going.  Water restrictions are in place 6-8 am and pm on alternate days, we must keep to these restrictions as the lake level is low. It is possible to walk around the lake edge to Omori at present and the rocks on the Pukawa Point make a good fishing spot.
Speaking of fishing the Pukawa Stream has been fishing extremely well after dark.  If nightime fishing appeals you are sure to be rewarded.
Easter would be a good time to prepare for the invasion of rats and mice who move into buildings in the Autumn, mice are already being caught in houses.
The birds have gone quiet, little wonder in the heat. The highest temperature I recorded was 40 degrees with 38 degrees common, even yesterday it was 35 degrees but the nights are cooler and signs of Autumn are appearing.

The Tall Trees of Pukawa.

THE TALL TREES OF PUKAWA.

Who would embrace the earth?

As we do.

Brothers and sisters all.

Standing shoulder to shoulder.

In times past, from the mountains to the sea.

Giants are we, and remnants of Giants.

Our once proud march challenged by none.

Who would embrace the earth, speak to the stars, and count

the rising and setting of the sun and the moon?

Who would know of these things if not us?

Children of Man, you are so often wilful and destructive and ignorant.

From whence shall you draw you wisdom if not from us?

Will you listen to the voice of the wind?

Does it not sing loudly enough in our branches?

If you cannot hear that song then surely the grass must whisper in vain.

Grow into your wisdom, for that is your purpose.

Grow into your wisdom and open your hearts.

Speak to the tall trees and we will tell you many things.

For we are Brothers and Sisters all

And we share the way.

D.R.Stanley.

Rain

We had a wonderful steady rain this morning, 15 mls in the rain gauge.
It has cleared now, blowing a little but hopefully we may get more rain overnight.

Quiet Birds

Our birds have gone quiet, little wonder in this heat. Few birds are seen flying and the quail who still come in to be fed quickly seek the shade.
Bush fire is an ever present concern. The undergrowth crinkles beneath my boots as I walk in the bush, tinder dry, we all need to be watchful to prevent fires.

Bizarre weather

The hottest day in Pukawa has reached 40 degrees, frequently 38 and 39 degrees have been reached but what is so strange is that we had two consecutive nights of 7 degrees and 5 degrees. I have never experienced such a swing in temperatures.

Experimental Research.

The Pukawa Wildlife Trust is currently involved in experimental work thanks to the help of Dr Caroline King senior lecturer Waikato University. Dr King an expert in rodent behaviour was able to obtain a grant for a student to come and carry out some experimental work which we hope will result in us obtaining a better understanding of rat behaviour and so  increase our rat kills.
Don has settled into accomodation in Hauraki Terrace and is already setting out boxes and other equipment to aid his experiments, he can be recognised by the "Pukawa" cap he wears.
One of the aids are wax tags which are attached to trees or boxes, these will show any teeth marks. You may see these bright orange tags during your walks.
I hope to keep you informed over the next couple of months.
Did you know that it is quite likely we have bats in Pukawa, --watch this blog.

Erupting Mountain.

Steam can be seen rising out of Mount Tongariro which seems harmless enough but we have noticed a very fine layer of ash on the window stills and car. At first I thought this was pollen which can often be seen coming from the pine plantations on the hills beyond Turangi but when felt with  the fingers it is definately ash.

On Line Again

The sytem has defeated me for sometime but thanks to a young friend I hope to be back to keeping you informed.
The expected rain only produced a light shower so we continue to be dry and hot.
For the month of November we had 70 mls of rain while Taupo only had 19, so we can be thankful for small mercies.