Nature's Corner – Late Winter 2005
Bird News
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| Tieke © Peter Reese Tieke call ©John Curtis (wav, 196 kB) |
August might be the last month of winter according to human decree, but following on from the third warmest July on record, some birds think it might as well be spring and have started renewing longstanding partnerships or forming new ones, patrolling breeding territories and scouting for nest sites.
The first Tieke / Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater) nest-building activity was observed on 9 August, two weeks earlier than in previous years. The site is high in a dead mamaku tree fern trunk and a ladder has been used to confirm that the female is incubating two eggs. One other pair is definitely known to be incubating and a third pair is probably doing the same. A further three pairs are busy nest building. Even more exciting: many of last season’s fledglings are pairing up and there may be as many as eight new pairs already. Hear the call of the tieke (©John Curtis, wav, 196 kB).
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A male hihi © Peter Martin |
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A female hihi © Peter Martin |
Hihi / Stitchbirds (Notiomystis cincta) are new arrivals in the Sanctuary so everyone is eager to see them do well in their first breeding season and lay the foundation of a settled and self-sustaining population. So far the signs are promising. Male hihi have been seen pursuing females, zigzagging through the bush at hair-raising speeds. How they safely navigate such a lightning path though all the obstacles posed by interlaced branches and vines is a wonder. A few are more advanced in their relationships and have begun putting nesting material in some of the specially designed nest boxes erected for their benefit.
A work skills development team at Mission for Work has built 60 hihi nest boxes. Such boxes, as well as providing chicks with improved shelter from bad weather, have hinged lids that allow conservation staff to monitor the chicks’ development on a regular basis and band them before they leave the nest.
Our Korimako / Bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) have started nesting 2-3 weeks early. Incubation is already underway in one nest and by the third week in August a second nest was under construction. Many unattached males are singing vigorously to attract a mate so the bellbird chorus is the best it’s ever been.
Kaka parrots (Nestor meridionalis) have been somewhat elusive in the Sanctuary recently. Apparently they are spending a lot of time high up in the pine trees feasting on the pollen cones. This is so much to their taste that there is no rush to be present at the supplementary feeding stations when they are replenished in the early afternoon. Instead they saunter in around 4 pm or later.
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Two male pateke |
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An experienced pair of Pateke / Brown Teal (Anas chlorotis) living at the southern end of Roto Kawau (the lower lake) is suspected of having a nest.* The clues are that the female is seldom seen (suggesting she is sitting on eggs) and the male has become aggressively territorial, chasing off any mallard ducks that trespass in the area he regards as belonging to him and his mate. It’s amusing to see the much larger mallards fleeing from the determined little challenger, especially when they are caught by surprise.
At the north end of the lake, these two young bachelors (pictured) are often sighted and have become quite tolerant of being observed and photographed by visitors. We hope they will soon find their Miss Rights and add to our breeding population.
Visitors walking bush tracks during August have been regularly meeting Toutouwai / Robins (Petroica australis longipes) that arrive silently to investigate any intruders in their territories. If you scrape away some leaf litter, they often come down to search for any insects that may have been uncovered, giving you an ideal opportunity to capture them on camera.
*Postscript. Suspicions have proven correct. The pateke pair at the south end of Roto Kawau have hatched 5 ducklings. Another pateke family with ducklings has been sighted at the nearby wetland.
Flora observations
New Foliage, a Furry Meal and a Spotted What’s-it
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| New leaves forming on kotukutuku |
Since the end of July, the growth of new foliage is increasingly obvious. Many evergreens are sporting some additional leaves that are paler or brighter than the rest. The new shoots on the Tutu (Coriaria arborea) are especially dazzling with their lime green leaves on pink stems. The deciduous Kotukutuku / Tree Fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) and the Pohuehue vines (Muehlenbeckia australis) have been reclothing their naked limbs and stems, although some individuals lag far behind others. By mid-August Makomako / Wineberry (Aristotelia serrata), which is semi-deciduous, was joining in the general refurbishment by dropping all its old leaves as it unfurled the new.
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| Rereti fronds |
Certain ferns like Rereti (Blechnum chambersii) and Huruhuruwhenua (Asplenium oblongifolium) have been rolling out pale yellow-green fronds that lighten the gloom of the forest floor. On a much larger scale, Mamaku (Cyathea medullaris) tree ferns are starting to unwind super-sized koru, thickly clad in coarse dark hair-like scales, in which whole new fronds are intricately curled and compressed.
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| Rangiora leaves |
Most new leaves are yellowish, until photosynthesis turns them a healthy green, but a new Rangiora (Brachyglottis repanda) leaf looks as if it has been cut out of white felt. A dense coat of soft hairs protects each surface from cold, windburn and sunburn, but not from becoming someone’s meal. A mouthful of fuzz was no deterrent, obviously.
More and more trees and shrubs are bearing flower buds as the milder than usual winter season merges into spring. As well as those listed below, others featured in the last edition were still present in mid-August. Kotukutuku trees have produced a succession of new buds to replace those that have already flowered. Hangehange buds are more prolific and Karaka bud clusters are loosening up and branching out a little, but otherwise unchanged. For details and pictures of these, refer to the Early Winter edition in our Archive.
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| A lichen mystery |
Lichens don’t usually attract much notice, but this one, bright green with mustard-coloured spots, seems to be positively screaming for attention. It is growing on a fallen tree fern log beside a bush track. The coloured spots are presumably apothecia from which spores are produced. The name of the species has yet to be determined, but enquiries are underway.
Finally, a reminder that New Zealand has a relatively high number of plant species that are dioecious. "Dioecious" means that male and female flowers are borne on separate plants and consequently only the female plants bear fruit. Hence the occasional distinctions made between males and females in the lists that follow.
Lots of Flower Buds
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| Akeake buds |
Akeake (Dodonaea viscosa). Minute clusters of flower buds have been apparent since the beginning of August. On some bushes they are green, on others they are tinted with shades of red or purple. Look for them on the east side of the Keith Taylor Lawn, in the vicinity of the Douglas & Shirley Olson seat.
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| Mingimingi flower buds |
Mingimingi (Leucopogon fasciculatus). This is an uncommon shrub in the Sanctuary but, judging by the hundreds of flower buds sighted in early August, it is trying to remedy that. The buds are so minute you almost need a magnifying glass to see them. They droop in tiny bunches among small, narrow leaves somewhat resembling those of the Kanuka and Manuka that grow nearby on the Hides Loop Track. Descending from the north end of the track, look extra closely at a bush on the right at the top of the fifth flight of steps. About nine paces south of the last step, notice some older Mingimingi bushes on the left.
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| Rewarewa flower buds |
Rewarewa (Knightia excelsa). At Rewarewa Bridge (second from the south end on Te Mahanga Track), look for the leaning tree on the west side. You can check on the development of stems, lined with flower buds, which emerged in mid-July. They will change their appearance and colour considerably as they continue to grow during the next few months. Brown seed pods which have yet to shed their winged seeds were also still present on this tree in mid-August.
Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium). Small buds, sometimes with a touch of red, were showing up in the axils of the leaves as August commenced. Look for them on the tree at the east end of the channel fence bordering the Heritage Lawn or on the one behind the Doris Eder seat.
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| Wharangi bud sprays |
Wharangi (Melicope ternata). The labelled tree on the eastern section of the Round the Lake Track (approaching the north junction with the Hides Loop Track) has bud sprays that were first noticed in late July. Although this lonely specimen flowers every year it does not seem to set seed. Perhaps it needs some companions for cross-pollination.
Tarata / Lemonwood (Pittosporum eugenioides). Rotund terminal buds wrapped in protective scales are plumping up. Inside each of these buds a whole spray of smaller flower buds is developing. Other long narrow buds are destined to unfurl as new leaves. Easily seen on the south-east side of a tree growing between Lake Road and Round Lawn, across from the Ops Shed.
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| Porokaiwhiri bud clusters |
Porokaiwhiri / Pigeonwood (Hedycarya arborea). Pale flower bud clusters are present on trees of both sexes, although the larger buds of male trees are the ones that catch the eye. On Lake Road, check out the tall, dark green tree on the western verge 30 paces south of the WX transect mark or 60 paces north of the Beech Track junction.
Rangiora / Bushman’s Friend (Brachyglottis repanda). Elaborately branched panicles of buds, with a suede-like covering in greenish-white or beige, are prominent throughout the valley.
Hinau (Elaeocarpus dentatus). Slender purplish stems lined with alternate buds are discernable just below the leaves. Hinau are well represented in the Sanctuary but their height makes viewing small details difficult. Try the tree spreading its branches out across the steep section at the northern end of the Hides Loop Track.
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| Tutu catkins |
Tutu (Coriaria arborea). Catkins packed with flower buds were just starting to emerge as mid-August approached. Inspect the bush that leans out over Lake Road from the eastern bank just south of the white safety rail.
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| Karamu buds |
Karamu (Coprosma robusta). Tight clusters of small pale green buds, sometimes tinted a brownish pink at the tip. They are especially prolific on male trees, which must produce large amounts of pollen to increase the odds that some will meet with receptive females. Look for them along Lake Road.
What’s Flowering?
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| Kowharawhara |
Kowharawhara (Astelia species). A clump growing at the top left of the fifth set of steps on the Hides Loop Track (as you descend from the north entrance) has branched stems clothed in pale lemon buds and flowers. The first flowers were noticed in the last days of July. The presence of stamens in the flowers indicates that this particular plant is male.
Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum). On bushes of both sexes green bud spikes are standing up like birthday candles among the heart-shaped leaves. A few candles were looking grey (males) or whitish (females) by mid-August, indicating they have moved to the flowering stage. If you flick a grey candle on a fine day you will see a puff of pollen. Look for male flower spikes on the bushes on your left about 15 paces in from the entrance gate. Look for female flower spikes dotted with translucent white stigmas on the bushes at the south end of Tui Terrace.
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| Kotukutuku flower |
Kotukutuku / Tree Fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata). Flowering accelerated in July and continues in August, often accompanied by a haze of new foliage that started to sprout towards the end of July. Tui and Korimako/Bellbirds perform gymnastics as they seek out the nectar in the tiny green and purple flowers. The pollinated flowers (pink and red) are the ones that we notice, but as they contain no nectar, experienced birds ignore them. Some new green fruit are forming as spent flowers fall, while at the same time more flower buds are continually appearing. These features are easily seen near the Houhere sign north of Tui Terrace or behind the directional sign at the south end of Te Mahanga Track.
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| Male whauwhaupaku flowers |
Whauwhaupaku / Five Finger (Pseudopanax arboreus). These trees were in full bloom during July and flowering is declining through August. They are widespread in the Sanctuary and encountered on all our tracks. The small pale green flowers of the male trees, with their pollen-laden stamens, are the most visible. They are displayed at the end of stems radiating from a central point like a starburst, creating globes of massed flowers when fully out. On the south side of Heritage Lawn, look for the male tree growing alongside the channel fence between the Margot Banwell and Yvonne Cook seats.
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| Female karamu flowers |
Karamu (Coprosma robusta). Flowering was just starting around mid-August. Like all Coprosma, they depend on the wind to ensure boy meets girl, so their flowers are reduced to the bare minimum. Boys dangle pollen-producing stamens; girls thrust out stiff white stigmas that drifting pollen will stick to when a collision occurs. Stand in front of the Safety in the Sanctuary sign on Lake Road and note the females growing up on the bank opposite. Look closely at the bush on the south side of the Keith Taylor lawn, nearly opposite the second Community Trust of Wellington seat. What sex do you think it is?
Immature Fruit or Seeds
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| Kanono berries |
Kanono (Coprosma grandifolia). Growing throughout the valley and easily seen along Lake Road and all the main tracks. Female trees are nurturing clusters of small, pale green berries. Take a look at the one behind the Reynolds seat on the north-east side of the Round Lawn.
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| Porokaiwhiri fruits |
Porokaiwhiri / Pigeonwood (Hedycarya arborea). Female trees have glossy green fruits in tight clusters. Porokaiwhiri trees usually stand out among other trees because of their dark foliage and may be seen on any of the bush tracks.
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| Mapau fruit |
Mapau / Matipou (Myrsine australis). Small, round, green or brownish-pink fruit from the most recent flowering is becoming more noticeable. Mapau fruit takes almost a year to mature and ripen to black. There is a good crop on a young tree growing on the western verge of Lake Road, about 2-3 paces north of the Y transect mark.
Whauwhaupaku / Five Finger (Pseudopanax arboreus). On female trees, tiny, recently formed, greenish-brown or reddish-purple fruits are mounted on the starburst-type structures that previously held their insignificant flowers.
Tarata / Lemonwood (Pittosporum eugenioides). Bunches of small green seed capsules on trees throughout the valley. Check out the tree at the Heritage area, overhanging the fence behind the Ferguson seat.
Ripe Fruit or Seeds
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| Tui eating mapau fruit |
Mapau / Matipou (Myrsine australis). Gone to the birds! A noisy flock of tui descended on the trees near Alison Morton’s memorial at the end of July and in a few days stripped them of their ripe black fruits. In between relatively quiet feasting sessions, they perched high in nearby Tarata trees where they seemed to be engaging in competitive singing.
Akiraho (Olearia paniculata). Some seed remained in early August in sheltered spots. They depend on the wind for transport and their downy hairs help them hitch a lift. But they may be a long time waiting at the bus stop if they are unlucky enough to be born at a site where wind is deflected away from them. Check out the seeds on the young bush in the garden opposite the Weka Fence gate (north side) on Lake Road. Have they got away yet?
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| Fallen pate fruit |
Pate (Schefflera digitata). Tiny purple fruits on finger-like stalks have lingered on some trees, but by August are often showing signs of atrophy or decay. Other trees have finished fruiting. Pate grows throughout the valley, but readily accessible specimens are to be seen on the low side of Lake Road opposite Birdsong Gully and 20 paces south of the Weka Fence.
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| Ripe and unripe karamu berries |
Karamu (Coprosma robusta). Throughout the valley, small green berries on female trees have been continually ripening to orange since mid-March. This was still occurring on some trees in mid-August while flower buds for the next reproductive cycle were opening. This fruit was photographed on a small tree opposite Birdsong Gully.
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| Kohuhu seed capsules |
Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium). The open seed capsules on the female or hermaphrodite trees continue to display clusters of sticky black seeds. Grows throughout the valley, but look for the tree behind the Dora Eder seat alongside the channel fence at the Heritage area.
Vines
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| Puawananga (Clematis) flowers |
Puawananga (Clematis paniculata). Flower buds were maturing atop the bush canopy in early August. The spectacular pure white flowers usually start to appear in mid to late August. Look for them spangling trees on the western scarp.
Karewao / Kareao / Supplejack (Ripogonum scandens). Very few red berries remained at the end of July but loose bunches of younger green berries are still to be seen, especially along the Swamp Track.
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| Akakura seed capsules begin to form |
Akakura / Scarlet Rata Vine (Metrosideros fulgens). Found throughout the valley. By August flowering had subsided and the first stage of seed capsule formation was underway. Use binoculars to inspect progress on the vine up the gully above supplejack corner on the Swamp Track.
Tataramoa / Bush Lawyer (Rubus cissoides). Up in the treetops and scrambling about in the scrub, this prickly customer has been growing arching sprays of buds since early July.
Pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia australis). Fruiting ended in early July. Since then some new leaves have started to appear but growth is sparse and slow. There are a number of these vines growing on the western margin of Lake Road between the Weed Garden boxes and Tui Terrace. Viewed from a distance, the scanty new foliage is invisible. Vines on the western scarp still appear bare, draped over parts of the bush canopy like tangled grey-brown fishing nets.
This edition of Nature's Corner was written by Sanctuary volunteer Allison Buchan. All photographs in this edition, except where indicated, taken by Allison Buchan and © Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. Clicking on photos with blue borders will take you to a larger photo.
Published 17 August, 2005; Updated 25 August, 2005.