Nature's Corner – Early to Mid Spring 2005
Bird Life
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| Riroriro / Grey Warbler Photo by Peter Reese |
The song of the Pipiwharauroa / Shining Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus) with its distinctive series of repeated rising notes, followed by one or more that plummets back down the scale, was heard in the Sanctuary for the first time this spring on 22 September. These little birds migrate to New Zealand each year from the Solomon Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago, a distance of some 2500 kilometres. They come here for their breeding season and late September is their usual time of arrival in the Sanctuary. From now on any Riroriro / Grey Warbler (Gerygone igata) pair may be unknowingly nurturing an egg that is not their own. Once hatched, the interloper tosses out any other eggs or nestlings and becomes the sole focus of the foster parents’ ministrations. Fortunately, they will usually have fledged offspring from an earlier clutch before the pipiwharauroa arrived, so the riroriro population is not under threat. These two species have co-existed for a very long time.
The Tieke / Saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater) have had mixed fortunes. The nest in the tall dead mamaku was abandoned and the pair moved to the opposite end of their territory to prevent a new young pair moving in. The female quickly rebuilt and they now have two chicks. Another two pairs failed to hatch their first eggs but are re-nesting, so we hope they will succeed this time. Three other pairs have successfully hatched chicks and all are due to fledge in October.
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| Male hihi / stitchbird Photo by Peter Martin |
Hihi / Stitchbirds (Notiomystis cincta) have made a promising start on their first breeding season in the Sanctuary. They had been nest-box kids on Tiritiri Matangi Island, so when they came here and felt the urge to raise families themselves, they looked for accommodation of a similar standard. Each new generation expects to start marriage with all the modern conveniences their parents had. In one instance a bird was so anxious to preview the accommodation available that it landed on a box while it was in transit to the site where it was to be installed. There are now three nests with eggs being incubated. The first chicks are due to hatch at the end of September. At least fifteen other pairs have nests under construction or almost completed. All these nests are in nest boxes, so congratulations to the Mission for Work team that built them. Your work has been approved by the ultimate authorities — the hihi.
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| Korimako / Bellbird Photo by Peter Reese |
The first two Korimako / Bellbird (Anthornis melanura) chicks of the season have departed their nest near Kotukutuku Bridge (first bridge from the west end of the Round the Lake Track). Ideally chicks are banded before they leave the nest, but this nest and others discovered since have all been too high in the bush canopy to be safely accessed by our conservation staff. Instead a temporary cage feeder containing a sugar-water dispenser was stationed below the nest site and successfully used to capture one of them for banding. After all that incubating and brooding, a handy nectar café was irresistible to mum. Where she went her kiddies followed, and she introduced them to the delectable beverage by drinking and then regurgitating into their ever-gaping mouths. They will continue to be fed by their parents for about ten days while they learn about self-catering. At least another two chicks have since fledged from a nest in the vicinity of the new wetland track. Of two other pairs known to have nests, one has hatched chicks and one has eggs under incubation. A fifth pair is probably nesting, but all attempts to confirm this suspicion have failed so far.
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| Kaka. Photo by Peter Martin |
Our Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) are being monitored by staff from Wellington Zoo. They have been busy tracking the birds (which wear harnesses with small transmitters attached) and have confirmed that eggs have been laid and are being incubated in at least four nests, a month earlier than in previous years. Three of the females nesting (P-WO, P-WY & P-YR)* are experienced breeders, the fourth one (P-YB, sister to P-YR & P-YY) is nesting for the first time. We suspect that our other two experienced breeding females (P-YY & RR-P) are also nesting and hope that their nests will be located soon. Then more effort will be put into tracking other potential first-time breeders.
*Coloured leg bands allow us to identify individual birds for research purposes. P-WO is a bird with a pink band on its left leg and a white band above an orange band on its right leg. The other combinations you will be able to work out for yourself.
Pateke / Brown Teal (Anas chlorotis) ducklings escorted by their parents are regularly seen swimming, visiting the supplementary feeding stations, or dabbling in the mud, at the southern end of Roto Kawau (the lower lake) and on the Keith Taylor Wetland. They are growing fast. As soon as they could swim, their parents introduced them to the feeding stations, where sweet corn is dispensed. Standing in the water, each feeder is protected by a cage with entrance holes that are designed to admit pateke while excluding the larger introduced mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). One of the bachelors from the north end of Roto Kawau has found a mate and the pair of them can be seen chasing the remaining single male who is now persona non grata in his former haunts. Three juveniles were recently banded at Roto Mahanga (the upper lake) and more ducklings are expected there. Pateke are also known to be living at the south end of the Sanctuary near the Raingauge Track, but so far they have eluded individual identification.
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| Miromiro / Tomtit Photo by Peter Russell |
One Miromiro / Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala toitoi) nest containing eggs has been found. While there is an increased risk of predation because it is outside our pest-proof fence, this pair successfully fledged two clutches of chicks in the same territory last season, losing only one nest to predators. Another pair has built a nest inside the Sanctuary and the female should lay eggs soon. A third pair has been showing signs of nesting behaviour but the nest has not been found as yet.
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| Nesting kawaupaka / shag Photo by Peter Reese |
Kawaupaka / Little Shags (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) are nesting in a tarata / lemonwood and a mapau that overhang the water on the eastern shore of Roto Kawau. There may be as many as eight nests and incubation is probably underway. If you sit on the Grace Riddick seat by the south exit from Alison Morton’s memorial, chances are you will find yourself eavesdropping on kawaupaka conversations. On the opposite side of the lake, north of the macrocarpas, another one or two nests are currently being built in a tutu and birds can be seen collecting nesting material from the lake edge. Look for the telltale signs of white guano on the vegetation underneath. A trip on the electric boat Ara Kawau gives a good view of the nest sites and activity, but from a distance that will not disturb the birds and cause nests to be abandoned. Use binoculars for a more intimate view.
Flora
Flowers Brazen and Modest
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| Kaka in kowhai |
Viewed from Lake Road the bush canopy on the western scarp is like a green mosaic. This is the time of the year when we realise how many different shades of green there are. Everywhere there is fresh new foliage contrasting with the old.
Except on the kowhai trees. They are semi-deciduous and discard their old foliage before coming into flower here in September and early October. As Rob Lucas once humorously remarked, ‘Many of our forest trees are sexually modest … and can hardly be accused of flaunting their wares.’ Kowhai trees, however, are quite brazen. Their flowers are big, brightly coloured and obvious. They need to be. Kowhai depend on nectar-feeding birds for pollination services. Their flowers are broadcasting an invitation to the skies: ‘Come on down, the supermarket is open!’
On the afternoon of 13 September I watched six kaka parrots (Nestor meridionalis) cavorting about in the first of our trees to bloom as they extracted nectar from the flowers. A large tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) was also present. Whenever another tui or korimako/bellbird (Anthornis melanura) had the temerity to land on one of his trees, he launched himself at them with angrily swishing wings and chased them off. The kaka merrily feasted on, but he wisely chose to ignore them. Six heavyweights were too many for one tui to intimidate.
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| Coprosma linariifolia female flowers |
Coprosma species are wind pollinated so their flowers don’t need to attract anyone’s eye. Coprosma linariifolia has very modest flowers and also has modest leaves, small and narrow. It’s the sort of tree we often dismiss as scrub and include with other superficially similar species under the name Mikimiki. A vegetation survey found one surviving specimen in our valley, but this died before it could be propagated as part of our native flora restoration programme. Cuttings were acquired from a single specimen elsewhere in the Wellington Ecological District and three young siblings are now growing just inside the Research Area on the western side of the Valley View Track between the Weka Fence and the junction with the Union Mine Track.
Trouble is, this species is dioecious*, so we knew they would all be the same sex. The parent had not been flowering when the cuttings were taken, so no clues there. We have had to wait for the youngsters to flower to discover whether we have sisters or brothers. At the end of August, one flowered modestly for the first time and the sibling mystery was solved. We have a sisterhood. Now we need to find them some male company so they can get on with the procreation of their species. If all goes according to plan, they will no longer be a rarity here.
Spotted What’s-it Identified and Explained
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| The lichen Sticta subcaperata |
Barbara Polly, a lichen specialist and research associate at Te Papa Tongarewa / The Museum of New Zealand, has identified the lichen featured in the previous edition. It is Sticta subcaperata. Rarely, if ever, does a lichen species have a common name. Knowing little about lichens, I expected that a photograph would be sufficient evidence for identification, but it’s not that simple. Minute features like pores, cilia and ascospores are important in determining the species, so a sample must be supplied for microscopic examination.
The Sticta are among our larger lichens. Their form is described as foliose (leaf-like) and their usual habitat is the bark of living or dead trees. Lichens are actually fungi in symbiotic associations* with photosynthetic partners. In Sticta subcaperata the partner is a colony of chlorophyll-containing micro-algae. They give this lichen its bright green colour. The fungus is responsible for the mustard-yellow spots. Those are its apothecia and have a reproductive function.
Sticta subcaperata is found throughout New Zealand. If it dries out, it turns grey with pale brown spots and appears dead, but lichens are usually drought survivors. When moisture returns its photosynthetic activity will probably resume and its bright colours revive.
Flower Buds
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| Tarata buds and bud sprays |
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. Look for bud development on the tree overhanging the Ferguson seat at the Heritage Lawn, or on the tree growing up the bank just past the Ops Shed. Note that these trees will still be carrying crops of unripe seed capsules from the previous season when they come into flower.
Kamahi (Weinmannia racemosa). Many stems crowded with flower buds are emerging on their leafy canopies. They look rather catkin-like but stick up rather than hang down. At mid-September they were yellowish-green in colour, but they have a pinkish hue just before they flower. You can see the occasional kamahi over on the western scarp. They are large rounded trees emerging above the surrounding bush. Watch for colour changes as their buds develop.
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.
Makomako / Wineberry (Aristotelia serrata). By late September bud sprays were emerging from protective coverings. Check out the tree that grows near the pateke/brown teal (Anas chlorotis) feeder at the Keith Taylor Wetland, or when on the Upper Dam go towards the western end to view the two growing against the mesh fence on the south side.
Karaka (Coryocarpus laevigatus). Bud clusters in the centre of rosettes of large glossy leaves have branched out into small, stiffly upright panicles like mini-candelabra. Look for them on the tree at the east side of Lake Road just north of Tui Terrace or on the trees at the west end of the Upper Dam.
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| Ti Kouka bud spikes |
Ti Kouka / Cabbage Tree (Cordyline australis). Watch for the appearance of large bud spikes emerging above the leaves, especially on larger trees with a number of leaf tufts like the one up Birdsong Gully.
Akeake (Dodonaea viscosa);Mingimingi (Leucopogon fasciculatus);Rewarewa (Knightia excelsa); and Porokaiwhiri / Pigeonwood (Hedycarya arborea). These four species were well furnished with buds in late September and have not changed markedly since our last report. For details and pictures refer to the Late Winter edition.
What’s Flowering?
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| Kowhai flowers |
Kowhai (Sophora microphylla). The first kowhai to flower in the Sanctuary are always the two large trees off the west end of the Upper Dam, near the start of the steps to the Discovery Area. Usually they start to flower in the final week of September but this year flowering commenced two weeks earlier. A very small kowhai between the toilet block and the Weka Fence on Lake Road started flowering around the same time but may be a different Sophora species. More trees should be coming into flower soon. There are some in the bush on the east side of Lake Road between the south Te Mahanga and Swamp Track junctions, and at the east end of the Upper Dam. A grove on the downhill side of the eastern section of the Round the Lake Track has in the past flowered in October.
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| Tawhirikaro flower |
Tawhirikaro (Pittosporum cornifolium). Generally an epiphyte on other trees, but the sole mature specimen in the Sanctuary is growing on a bank as a small independent tree. Tiny bell-shaped flowers with a red exterior and yellow interior appeared at the end of August. They hang at the tips of twigs, framed by leaves. On this particular specimen the flowers are solitary instead of in the usual clusters of 3 to 5.
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| Tarata flowers |
Tarata / Lemonwood (Pittosporum eugenioides). As usual our first tree to flower has been the one growing between Lake Road and Round Lawn, across from the Ops Shed. The mounded clusters of pale yellow flowers have a sweet honey perfume that is especially noticeable in warm weather. Other trees may not be ready to flower until October. The appearance of bud scales scattered on the ground is a clue that flowering is imminent.
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| Kohuhu flowers |
Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium). Buds have been opening to reveal dark purple flowers that reflex their petals and turn almost black as they age. At night they are beautifully perfumed to attract the moths that will pollinate them. When walking on Lake Road, look for the young tree near the labelled Tarata just north of Birdsong Gully. This was the earliest to flower, commencing at the end of August. Another growing opposite the entrance to the Morning Star Track started a week later. When flowers on these trees wane, others bordering the Heritage Lawn should be flowering. Inspect the tree at the east end of the channel fence or the one behind the Doris Eder seat.
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| Tutu flowers |
Tutu (Coriaria arborea). Catkins are crowded with minute flowers. They are wind-pollinated and to minimise self-pollination and increase their chances of cross-pollination the flowers expose their pollen-catching stigmas first. Later, when they have been pollinated, these shrivel up and make way for the pollen-producing stamens to emerge. Look for catkins on the bush that leans out over Lake Road from the eastern bank just south of the white safety rail. Another reasonably accessible specimen grows at the north end of the brushwood fence on the Hides Loop Track. And have you noticed the big old granddaddy tree with a sizeable trunk near Tutu Bridge, the second bridge from the west end of the Round the Lake Track.
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| Wharangi flowers |
Wharangi (Melicope ternata). Small white-petalled flowers started opening around mid-September on the labelled tree on the eastern section of the Round the Lake Track (approaching the north junction with the Hides Loop Track). Near the Round Lawn, one of the youngsters planted in the vicinity of the Safety in the Sanctuary sign has a few first-time flowers.
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| Rangiora flowers Photo by Peter Russell |
Rangiora / Bushman’s Friend (Brachyglottis repanda). By mid-September masses of tiny white flowers were beginning to open on the elaborately branched panicles, giving them the appearance of small fluffy clouds. Insects pollinate the flowers and the mass presentation increases their visibility to any flying in the vicinity. Rangiora is widespread in the Sanctuary. Take a close look at the flowers on a bush at the south side of the Morning Star – Lake Road junction.
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| Hangehange flowers |
Hangehange (Geniostoma rupestre). The first of the tiny greenish flowers were noticed as September opened. These were photographed on a bush growing on the west side of Lake Road about 47 paces south of the junction with the Valley View Track. You may have to lift the slender leafy stems to see the flowers properly as they face downwards. Smell the flowers. At times they are sweetly scented but at other times I cannot detect any perfume. Perhaps they release their perfume only intermittently. Hangehange bushes are encountered along all the tracks, so when the flowers fade on this particular specimen, there will be others you can find and test elsewhere.
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) still had branched stems clothed in pale lemon flowers nestling among the leaf blades in late September. The presence of stamens in the flowers indicates that this particular plant is male.
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| Male kawakawa bud spikes |
Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum). On bushes of both sexes, green bud spikes are standing up like birthday candles among the heart-shaped leaves. Candles that look grey (males) or whitish (females) 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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| Fallen kotukutuku flowers |
Kotukutuku / Tree Fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata). The trees are merging into the greenery again as their foliage grows but flowering continues and may last through to early summer. You can study the tiny pendant flowers in detail on a small tree near the Houhere sign north of Tui Terrace or the tree behind the directional sign at the south end of Te Mahanga Track. Discarded flowers that have turned red after pollination litter the tracks in places.
The birds are enjoying the feast of sweet high-energy nectar. Tui try to claim exclusive ownership of trees in their territories but the smaller nectar-eating birds like korimako/bellbirds and hihi/stitchbirds (Notiomystis cincta) keep them under surveillance and sneak in for a hasty harvest when their rivals are preoccupied elsewhere. Recently I had a close-up view of a pair of tieke/saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater) sipping nectar from the tiny green and purple flowers in a small low-growing tree on the verge of Lake Road. Engrossed in their feeding, they seemed oblivious to their human audience of four. But, alas, we had not one camera among us.
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| Male karamu flowers |
Karamu (Coprosma robusta). Flowering is in full swing during September and October. The minimalist flowers are designed for wind pollination. Male trees dangle pollen-producing stamens; female trees thrust out stiff white stigmas that drifting pollen will stick to when a collision occurs. Karamu is very common in the Sanctuary. As you walk along Lake Road, inspect the many young specimens growing on its verges and see if you can sort out the sexes.
Poroporo (Solanum laciniatum). Showy purple flowers were already opening in early September on a bush growing down the bank just north of the Weka Fence gate on Te Mahanga Track. The warm sunny location, coupled with the mild winter and warm spring, has given it a headlong start. Bushes in shady locations, like those at Birdsong Gully, lag far behind.
Flowers expected
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| Tutukiwi flowers |
Tutukiwi / Greenhoods (Pterostylis banksii). From mid-October, start looking for these little orchids on the bank bordering the upper Beech Track between the junction with the original (retired) exit track and the V transect mark. The flower resembles a standing kiwi, hence the name, tutukiwi.
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| Karaka flowers |
Karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus). Some of their small greenish-cream flowers should be appearing in late September or early October. The lone specimen on the east side of Lake Road just north of Tui Terrace is usually one of the early flowerers.
Immature Fruit or Seeds
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| Unripe whauwhaupaku fruits and new leaves |
Whauwhaupaku / Five Finger (Pseudopanax arboreus). On female trees, tiny greenish-brown or reddish-purple fruits, curiously flattened in shape, 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.
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| Unripe konini, the fruit of kotukutuku |
Kotukutuku / Tree Fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata). Buds and flowers are accompanied by small, oblong, green fruits, which have developed from the ovaries of fertilised flowers; proof that the birds are effective pollinators. These fruits have their own distinct name, konini. Just now they look like fairy courgettes, but when ripe they will be purple-black in colour.
Kanono (Coprosma grandifolia); Porokaiwhiri / Pigeonwood (Hedycarya arborea); Mapau / Matipou (Myrsine australis). These three species continue to carry crops of immature fruit. For details and pictures refer to the Late Winter edition.
Ripe Fruit or Seeds
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 see that the small canoe-shaped pods have finally split open and shed their one-winged seeds. This occurred around the end of August and beginning of September. Trees in warmer, sunnier locations got their seeds away earlier.
Karamu (Coprosma robusta) and Pate (Schefflera digitata). Some trees of these two species were still carrying small amounts of ripe fruit during September, even though one of them, karamu, was in flower. For details and pictures refer to the Late Winter edition.
Vines
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| Puawananga flowers |
Puawananga (Clematis paniculata). Patches and spangles of pure white flowers have been showing up on the bush canopy of the western scarp from mid-August and throughout September. They will probably start disappearing again in October. When walking on bush tracks, look up into the canopy overhead if you notice large white petals on the ground at your feet. You may be rewarded with a lovely sight. According to Maori legend, these flowers were the progeny of stars.
Karewao / Kareao / Supplejack (Ripogonum scandens). Loose bunches of green berries are visible in places, especially along the Swamp Track.
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| Akakura seed capsules forming |
Akakura / Scarlet Rata Vine (Metrosideros fulgens). The projecting styles have fallen away as seed capsule development continues. Use binoculars to inspect the vine in the gully above supplejack corner on the Swamp Track. In the photograph, notice the tiny green spider that has found a safe and sheltered retreat.
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| Tataramoa flowers |
Tataramoa / Bush Lawyer (Rubus cissoides). Up in the treetops and scrambling about in the scrub, sprays of buds that are close to flowering have developed a pinkish colouring and the tips of white petals are starting to show. Some flowers were opening by mid-September. Small white petals on the ground indicate where flowering is taking place up above.
Pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia australis). The tangled grey-brown stems have gradually disappeared from view during September, hidden under a thickening canopy of light green leaves. There are a number of these vines growing on the western margin of Lake Road between the Weed Garden boxes and Tui Terrace. Vines on the distant western scarp are now almost indistinguishable from the trees and shrubs they burden with their drapery.
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| Kaihua buds |
Kaihua / New Zealand Jasmine (Parsonsia heterophylla). Flower buds became noticeable during September. At the north-east side of Round Lawn, look for the vine climbing on the mapau behind the Fred Milligan seat.
Glossary
Dioecious: male and female flowers are borne on separate plants and consequently only the female plants bear fruit. New Zealand has a relatively high number of plant species that are dioecious. Hence the occasional distinctions made between males and females in these lists.
Symbiotic association: interactive relationship between two or more species, living in close physical association, that is usually beneficial to all involved.
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 26 September 2005.