Kaituna Valley Reserve, Trip #80

Kaituna Valley Reserve is a remnant of lowland forest, on Banks Peninsula. The site is only about 6 ha in size, but has some impressive native trees, and is adjacent to a stream as well. Below is some of what we saw. Animalia Birds (Class Aves) New Zealand Fantail There is a fantail in the...

Victoria Park, Trip #79

On 10 September (which is spring here), we visited part of Victoria Park, east of the 19th battalion war memorial, on the Port Hills. We explored a rocky outcrop and the surrounding grassland and shrubland. Below is some of what we saw. Animals Non-biting midge Bristle fly Ichneumonid wasp Braconid wasp There is a photo...

Solitary wasps and insect hotels

The insect hotels should have residents in the next few of months, so here is some information about what you might get: Solitary wasps Some species of solitary wasp will probably inhabit the nesting boxes; you can tell they are inside by the wall of clay that blocks off the entrance to the hole. The...

Scarborough Hill Reserve, Trip #78

On 27 August (2018) we spent an enjoyable morning exploring an area of mixed native and exotic grassland on the Port Hills. Below is some of what we saw: Fog When we headed out, Christchurch and the sea were in cloud, but our site was up above the fog. It was interesting to watch the...

Bottle Lake Forest – Wetland, Trip #77

On the 20th of August (2018) we went to Bottle Lake Forest again, but this time we looked at an area of wetland. There were a surprising number of small animals in the water. (The yellow specks in many of the photos are pollen, which was prolific.) https://vimeo.com/286720322 Animals Ostracod / Seed shrimp Daphnia /...