June and the start of Winter

 I have to apologize for the late posting of this record. I have had computer issues and a lot of time looking after elderly parents so this has taken a number and waited for its turn. 

We came over Friday night and went home Saturday as we had family to meet up with on Sunday. There was 144mm of rain in the gauge due to the heavy rain earlier in the week. In fact Saturday is probably the only dry day this week. We had a good fire which I kept going all night as it was cold outside. I do enjoy a fire and it is a satisfying thing to create and maintain. 

All the rat poison was gone so there must be a few rats around still, but only one trap was set off and that caught a hedgehog. Any success in that area must help our bird population. 

I bought a copy of Brownsey and Smith-Dodsworth's book on NZ ferns while in New Plymouth last weekend. I am pleased to have it as it seems to be the best book for identifying New Zealand ferns and has much useful information about habitats and distribution. 

 Crown fern, Kohekohe and Thread fern
 top to bottom 

There are a few Tui around and I watched two eating Karamu fruit this morning while I checked traps and baits. I have heard a couple of Kereru as well, but there are no significant numbers as yet. It would be interesting to compare numbers and dates between years and see if there is any pattern to their arrival. 

Ian came around bringing more Lancewood seed and I gave him a Kaihua plant and three more Porokaiwhiri to pot up for next year. they should do well at his place. The six Kaihua I took home to grow on are all looking very healthy so next year we should be able to plant them around about and thereby spread them and their scent around the property. The Karamu are covered in fruit and a range of birds are eating them, but there isn't a lot else available for fruit eaters at present. 

Our older native Passionfruit

I staked the little native passionfruit growing down on the flats this morning. Hopefully we can get it to grow up one of the Kahikatea and one day flower then hopefully it or the other one nearby will fruit. They are dioecious so I need a male plant and a female plant before I can get viable fruit. 

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