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.

Shell Service Station Tokaanu.

If you haven't driven along State Highway 41 for sometime when you do you will notice that the Shell Service Station at Tokaanu has been dismantled. The Shell Company decided that due to falling custom they would have to remove the pumps and underground tanks.
It will be greatly missed by the many fisherman who always stopped to fill up with petrol before heading for a day's fishing on the lake.
I wonder if anyone knows how long that station existed, it is over thirty years that we know of and could be an additional twenty years beyond that.

The garage has not been effected, Joe Rowan still operates his business next door.

Likewise the Tokaanu Hotel is fast falling in to disrepair. Once considered thee place to stay or dine at, some very famous people have graced their doors. It is quite sad to see history disappearing but such is the changing way of life today.

Road Signs

Locals have for some years been trying to get a road sign placed near the wet land Tokaanu to warn drivers of the birds that frequently cross where the water lies on both sides of the road.
Finally it has happened, there is a sign on the south end as your apporach the small bridge and coming down the hill one is on the left as you approach the Waihi Village turnoff.
Pukeko are often seen eating grass on the roadside verge and sadly become victims as they attempt to cross over to the opposite side.  If you have read of the man who trained the pukeko and chicks seen in the TV advertisement, like me you will be surprised how clever these birds are and that they deserve our greatest respect.

Eruption Update

It is now 1pm and Pukawa is still clear of ash.
The sun has broken through the cloud a few times but the air is quite cold.

Eruption

I have just been outside to check for ash but there is no sign of it here that I can see.  It has clouded over, possibly the ash cloud so it is time to check our emergency water supply.
Should the situation change I will log it.

Stormy Weather

The storm that worked it's way up the Islands once again only gave Pukawa a glance, very little wind with 64mls over several days,  the rain would do a lot of good as our porous soil  was once again beginning to dry out.

Green Bin Recycling.

The Taupo Council have increased the green bin recycling to allow plastic numbered from 1-7 to be put out for collection, previously it was only numbers 1 & 2, items such as ice cream containers can now go in the bin but not the lids. Only lids that are stamped with a number may go in the bin. Food trays such as those use by the Super Markets are still not to be recycled.
To reduce the amount of food and green waste going to the landfill the council plans to subsidise home composting efforts and provide an education programme to help residents compost successfully. This could work just as well for home owners in Pukawa.

White-faced Herons.

On State Highway 41 after you reach the top of the Waihi Hill is a paddock where cattle are being break fed a crop. I counted 16 White-faced Herons in the paddock yesterday a quite amazing sight. Usually two or perhaps three birds can be seen at one time but this number is something I have never seen before. Many years ago we used to see the heron in the Spring flying towards the big trees in our bush, with twigs in the beaks, but that has not been seen now for some years.
This picture has poor colouring, the body is light blue-grey in colour with white face.