Yes, Sunday June 3rd at 10am down on the common we will all gather to learn more about the rare mistletoe and see how many plants we can find growing in the settlement. Ranger Anna will be there to speak to us and help with the search. Family groups can enjoy this event as it is open to all ages. We will be walking some of the streets as we search for mistletoe.
The TDC men have been busy putting in the new tree name plaques, several down near the common as well as up on the top bush track where some of the big trees have been named. We thank the TDC for these plaques which will be so useful in identifying some of our native trees.
Hope you can join us on Sunday.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Friday, 11 May 2012
New Arrival.
Many people have fond childhood memories of buddeleia bushes, picinic days at a river where buddeleia gave shelter from the wind, little did we know that it would spread and become one of our unwanted plants.
Very little will grow under buddeleia, it smothers other seedlings so it has been placed on the undesirable list.
In 2006 SCION introduced a weevil into NZ on behalf of Forest Companies to combat buddeliea that had become an aggresive weed. It is a native of China. Extensive testing was carried out before permission was granted to release the weevil to ensure it only attacked buddeleia. The lava stage of the life cycle feeds on leaves, sucking all the green out of them. It is spreading throughout NZ and is hoped to considerably reduce the plant.
Now it has been seen in Pukawa so we shall be watching it with interest.
Very little will grow under buddeleia, it smothers other seedlings so it has been placed on the undesirable list.
In 2006 SCION introduced a weevil into NZ on behalf of Forest Companies to combat buddeliea that had become an aggresive weed. It is a native of China. Extensive testing was carried out before permission was granted to release the weevil to ensure it only attacked buddeleia. The lava stage of the life cycle feeds on leaves, sucking all the green out of them. It is spreading throughout NZ and is hoped to considerably reduce the plant.
Now it has been seen in Pukawa so we shall be watching it with interest.
Friday, 27 April 2012
Monarch Butterflies
Has anyone seen monarch butterflies in Pukawa recently?.
I haven't seen any so I was surprised to see 8 caterpillars on a swan plant.
Unfortunateky the beastly soldier beetle also arrived and has killed the caterpillars one by one. I have squashed three beetles but usually by the time I see them the damage is done. The butterflies may still arrive but it is getting very late even for this area.
I haven't seen any so I was surprised to see 8 caterpillars on a swan plant.
Unfortunateky the beastly soldier beetle also arrived and has killed the caterpillars one by one. I have squashed three beetles but usually by the time I see them the damage is done. The butterflies may still arrive but it is getting very late even for this area.
Glorious Autumn
We have experienced the most wonderful Autumn weather over the entire month of April with several small amounts of rain to freshen things up. We don't remember having so many lovely sunny days and with little wind, it has been most enjoyable.
Yesterday Friday 27th we had light rain over night followed by steady rain all morning resulting in 20mls which would do so much good in the bush. I noticed on Thursday how very dry the bush was, the leaves "crinkled" as I walked.
Yesterday Friday 27th we had light rain over night followed by steady rain all morning resulting in 20mls which would do so much good in the bush. I noticed on Thursday how very dry the bush was, the leaves "crinkled" as I walked.
Earthquake reports.
We often have reports of earthquakes in the Taupo region but at the bottom end of the lake we seldom if ever feel them so no shakes here at Pukawa.
Thursday, 22 March 2012
No news
I have fallen behind in reporting on my blog, but do remember that no news is good news.(:-)
Pukawa once again missed the big blow that caused so much damage from Taupo north. I personally witnessed the damage on Tuesday as I travelled to Rotorua and on arriving back found Taupo shops in darkness with many closed due to the power failure. Wondering what I would find at Pukawa I reached home to find Russ and his friend returning from a walk in the sunshine with only a gentle breeze blowing, we never lost the power here either.
On Wednesday night however we did have heavy rain, 43mls but that would do a lot of good as it has been so warm the last few days.
Pukawa once again missed the big blow that caused so much damage from Taupo north. I personally witnessed the damage on Tuesday as I travelled to Rotorua and on arriving back found Taupo shops in darkness with many closed due to the power failure. Wondering what I would find at Pukawa I reached home to find Russ and his friend returning from a walk in the sunshine with only a gentle breeze blowing, we never lost the power here either.
On Wednesday night however we did have heavy rain, 43mls but that would do a lot of good as it has been so warm the last few days.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Storm report
We did have fierce gusts of wind for several hours yesterday but there was no rain and I feel that I can report that the storm passed us by. This morning is cloudy but we expect a sunny day.
Friday, 2 March 2012
Stormy Weather
It is 9am as I write, the sky looks lighter with the odd patch of blue. We had an inch of rain over night, just gently falling rain and we have so far missed the wind. It is blowing yes, but nothing out of the ordinary which makes us hope we have missed the worst.
The two clutchers of tiny quail that appeared this week would have little chance of surviving, we can only hope that at least some do.
The two clutchers of tiny quail that appeared this week would have little chance of surviving, we can only hope that at least some do.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Earthquakes
In the last few days several earthquakes have been reported, one near Taupo and one near Wanganui but neither were felt in Pukawa.
When we notice that the pictures on the walls are no longer level it alerts us to an earthquake having occuried elsewhere.
When we notice that the pictures on the walls are no longer level it alerts us to an earthquake having occuried elsewhere.
Rain Rain.
Having reported it was so dry in Pukawa I can now tell you that we have had light rain, 10mls fell overnight and it is quietly raining at this moment. Last night was a very hot night, definately a sheet only night.
It seems to be so dark in the mornings, this is after all only February, really strange weather.
It seems to be so dark in the mornings, this is after all only February, really strange weather.
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