February Highlights

On Saturday 2^nd February I went out to Port Waikato to go dotterel monitoring with DOC ranger, Hannah.  It was a lovely walk and bird watch, apart from having to put a seagull out of its misery with a hefty piece of wood!

View along the road to Port Waikato

Sunday 3^rd February – We visited Clevedon markets and had a lovely day at Maraitai beach whilst we enjoyed a heatwave from Australia giving us lots of continuous hot weather. 

Enjoying the extended summer at Maraetai beach

Wednesday 6^th February – It was a bank holiday for Waitangi Day. We waited for late afternoon for the temperature to drop a little to walk up Clevedon hill for 360-degree views:

Above and below; views from the Clevedon lookout

The Smyths smashing it in Auckland

14^th February – The Smyths cover band visited Auckland for the first time!  I had been waiting for this gig for ages as this is my favourite cover band.  Imagine a band that you’d actually rather see than the original members and that’s what I’m talking about. The Smiths’ music played to perfection without having to deal with band member issues or Morrissey in the flesh!  They were sooooo good. Sadly, Simon missed out as he was feeling very poorly and so it turned out to be a girls’ night with Mags and her other friend called Ruth. Very rare for me to meet another Ruth in such a select group!

15^th February – Tortie at the SPCA

A bonus to going into the office.... the centre cats are cute, this one is, not very imaginatively, known as 'Tortie':

17^th February – Pukekohe agricultural show.  We felt that we should go and see what our local show was all about and it was a fantastic Kiwi experience! Where else in the world can you find a sheep shearing competition, sheep racing and axe throwing.

Competitive sheep-shearing - a spectator sport

As well as encouraging kids to have a go at milking and naming the cuts on a sheep!

Gotta love a John Deere!

Place your bets!

The runners and riders!

Cattle-showing

18^th February – I am still going to volunteer at bird rescue weekly to visit my pals like Zambesi:

I learnt about one of my weak areas through my recent interview experiences.  I need to start learning plant species!!  Not just the good ones, but the invasive ones too.  I may be more into the animal and especially bird side of conservation, but it is clear to me now that I need to expand my knowledge to include the New Zealand flora if I am going to succeed in the conservation field here.

Plant revision....

 

27^th February – back in the Hunuas, look at this awesome stick insect that visited us at Piggott’s’ hut: