It has been a horrid week for our bellbirds. Grumpy was missing last Thursday. He seemed fine when I saw him at the Picnic feeder about 4pm on the Wednesday and when I left the area about 4.30 he was singing away.There was no sign of him again on the Friday until late in the afternoon when he was found in a Mahoe tree near to the seat in Petes Patch. Although he looked O K his behaviour had changed and he sat silently in the tree with his beak often tucked behind his neck.On the Saturday morning Grumpy was sighted at the Bella Vista feeder (we had very strong south west winds Friday night which knocked down trees in Petes Patch and along Dotties Lane) and Grumpy would have known that the Bella Vista area provided more shelter. I was still concerned about Grumpy's lethargic appearance so called Mike for advice and I also rang the vet who warned that if the bird is in a stressed state he could die if I attempted to catch him. Mike was on the island on Saturday and he did see Grumpy briefly at the Bella Vista feeder and he agreed we should add a weak complan solution to Grumpy's sugar water.
At the Bella Vista feeder the bellbirds share the bird table with sparrows and silver eye and these other birds sit (and shit) on the bellbirds feeder. I disinfected the bird table and feeder yesterday in case Grumpy has picked up a disease and have borrowed a bird table from the park and installed it near to the existing bird table at Bella Vista to try and keep the birds separate.
In the meantime Grumpy's girlfriend who has resided at the Bella Vista feeder since her beating in the park has disappeared. She was there last Thursday calling when Grumpy was missing and she was sighted again on the Friday afternoon while Grumpy was in a poor condition near to the Fence feeder in the park. We have not seen the female bird since.
It has been a very distressing time and frustrating that we do not know what has happened . I cannot explain why Grumpy in appearance looks fine and yet his whole nature has changed virtually overnight - we have not heard a sound from him since last Wednesday.
The future looks a bit bleak for our birds with just two juvenille male birds sometimes seen at our feeders and a very unhappy Grumpy at the Bella Vista feeder. It is a sad situation nevertheless we try and remain hopeful that a female bird will reappear.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
24 August report
This morning I could clearly hear a bellbird in the Glenbrook valley area (it sounded very much like Grumpy to me). He is every where as I sighted him at the Bella Vista feeder and at our place and I heard him close by our park feeders. A resident who has a Bella Vista feeder had a movie camera going this morning on the feeder and he showed me the result this afternoon and certainly you can see our pair on film.
As Grumpy is roaming further into Rocky Bay I have shifted some rat bait stations into Fairview Crescent.
As Grumpy is roaming further into Rocky Bay I have shifted some rat bait stations into Fairview Crescent.
Monday, August 23, 2010
23 August posting
Pleased to see Grumpy here at lunch time and he went over a winter flowering gum tree before going over a couple of power poles including insulators and cross arms.
About 1.30 I saw him up at the Bella Vista feeder together with the female that was mauled - they definitely appear to be pairing as I regularly see both of them together at this feeder.
About 2.30 Grumpy was back at the Picnic feeder - the first time I have seen him at this feeder since the 14/8. Just prior to Grumpy's arrival at this feeder the Fenwick male had called - the first time I had seen this bird since the 16/8. So we are still hanging in there especially if the elusive female is still in the vicinity.
About 1.30 I saw him up at the Bella Vista feeder together with the female that was mauled - they definitely appear to be pairing as I regularly see both of them together at this feeder.
About 2.30 Grumpy was back at the Picnic feeder - the first time I have seen him at this feeder since the 14/8. Just prior to Grumpy's arrival at this feeder the Fenwick male had called - the first time I had seen this bird since the 16/8. So we are still hanging in there especially if the elusive female is still in the vicinity.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
8 August posting
When I returned to the feeder to recover the bird she had gone. Perhaps the wood I had used to block the holes was not adequate and she could squeeze through. So hopefully she has found somewhere safe to recuperate. I am very annoyed with myself that I did not think to get her to the vet immediately as I knew the vet had a special interest in birds and also that I did not use a bigger bit of wood to prevent her escape. I was very upset at the time and not thinking clearly.
I did see our other female at the feeder this morning but disturbingly the second time she went to enter there was a tui sitting on the side of the feeder preventing her from entering. There was no sign of the mauled female although after her experience this morning she will not be in a hurry to return. I will check the Bella Vista feeder later to see if any sign of her.
Thank you for the advice this morning I am just sorry I could not act on it.
Thank you so much for at least being there in the first place, a minute later and there would have been no bird to rescue! You did your best in the circumstances and that is the main thing. Dan at the vet clinic would be the one to call if there is a next time. It would appear that she has recovered. Perhaps we now take the extra feeders away and only leave the boxes so the tui are not able to make a thing of defending the feeders as they can't use them. So, perhaps you would like to have a go at making some more boxes with me? If so then we could do a couple this week whilst I am still there. That would be fun. A couple more would be good in the area and then less squabbling and tui bother. What do you think?
Pleased to report I sighted female bird beaten so brutally this morning near to the No 3 feeder which was near to the area where the beating occurred. She looked somewhat subdued but I was relieved to see her alive. She went to enter feeder but Grumpy swooped and looked to me mated with her at the entrance to the feeder.They then flew further over onto the ground where I could not see clearly but assume further mating may have occurred. I saw Grumpy fly off shortly after and went to investigate how the female was but she remained on the ground with her tail upright for a short while and then flew off. I did not see her again. However our other female arrived at the No 3 feeder but Grumpy was not letting her get a feed. She did challenge Grumpy the first time I had noticed her do this but Grumpy did not give in. I later had a report that a female bird with 2 pink bands which this female has was sighted at the Bella Vista feeder.
What a day our other little female has had - but hopefully it will have a happy ending.
I did see our other female at the feeder this morning but disturbingly the second time she went to enter there was a tui sitting on the side of the feeder preventing her from entering. There was no sign of the mauled female although after her experience this morning she will not be in a hurry to return. I will check the Bella Vista feeder later to see if any sign of her.
Thank you for the advice this morning I am just sorry I could not act on it.
Thank you so much for at least being there in the first place, a minute later and there would have been no bird to rescue! You did your best in the circumstances and that is the main thing. Dan at the vet clinic would be the one to call if there is a next time. It would appear that she has recovered. Perhaps we now take the extra feeders away and only leave the boxes so the tui are not able to make a thing of defending the feeders as they can't use them. So, perhaps you would like to have a go at making some more boxes with me? If so then we could do a couple this week whilst I am still there. That would be fun. A couple more would be good in the area and then less squabbling and tui bother. What do you think?
Pleased to report I sighted female bird beaten so brutally this morning near to the No 3 feeder which was near to the area where the beating occurred. She looked somewhat subdued but I was relieved to see her alive. She went to enter feeder but Grumpy swooped and looked to me mated with her at the entrance to the feeder.They then flew further over onto the ground where I could not see clearly but assume further mating may have occurred. I saw Grumpy fly off shortly after and went to investigate how the female was but she remained on the ground with her tail upright for a short while and then flew off. I did not see her again. However our other female arrived at the No 3 feeder but Grumpy was not letting her get a feed. She did challenge Grumpy the first time I had noticed her do this but Grumpy did not give in. I later had a report that a female bird with 2 pink bands which this female has was sighted at the Bella Vista feeder.
What a day our other little female has had - but hopefully it will have a happy ending.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Hauraki Gulf Forum
Attended some of the Hauraki Gulf Forum meeting today at the ARC council chambers. An excellent presentation from Liz Ross, the shellfish monitoring coordinator. Liz has now been working for several years with schools in the region to establish monitoring of shellfish beds. The data is now beginning to show some trends and will form a great resource for the future to assess effects of development and conservations on the numbers and size of shellfish stocks.
A recent hearing panel decision has ruled that the disposal of dredgings at an inshore environment in the Hauraki Gulf by Pine Harbour Marina would be repugnant to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act management objectives. The decision has been appealed to the environment court. Mike Lee presented a statement of evidence at the hearing of the application to dredge. This was a very thorough and fascinating account of the history of sediment disposal from dredging in the Gulf which no doubt had a large effect on the decision. The commissioners placed an emphasis on the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act which was very heartening. Below is the link to the agenda and minutes.
http://www.arc.govt.nz/environment/coastal-and-marine/hauraki-gulf-forum/agendas-and-minutes.cfm
A recent hearing panel decision has ruled that the disposal of dredgings at an inshore environment in the Hauraki Gulf by Pine Harbour Marina would be repugnant to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act management objectives. The decision has been appealed to the environment court. Mike Lee presented a statement of evidence at the hearing of the application to dredge. This was a very thorough and fascinating account of the history of sediment disposal from dredging in the Gulf which no doubt had a large effect on the decision. The commissioners placed an emphasis on the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act which was very heartening. Below is the link to the agenda and minutes.
http://www.arc.govt.nz/environment/coastal-and-marine/hauraki-gulf-forum/agendas-and-minutes.cfm
Monday 16 August
We have not seen a female bird at our feeders since last Tuesday and I am concerned for her welfare as the couple of days before she went missing there was regular interaction between Grumpy and this female. Grumpy has not been coming back to our feeders the past few days and he is extending his range outside the park - perhaps searching for his mate.I did hear Grumpy in the Omiha Road area this morning and again this afternoon and saw him in the vicinity of the Bella Vista feeder earlier.
Yesterday there were two tuis inside Grumpy's usual feeder (Picnic) in the morning and another in the afternoon. This morning I placed a piece of wood across the entrance to this feeder but I was amazed to see a Tui still able to squeeze through. I tried a thicker piece of timber allowing just 4cm clearance and was pleased to see a male bellbird had little difficulty gaining access so hopefully this will prevent tui entering.
How things have changed in a week from having 4-5 birds regularly calling at our feeders to just 2 male birds, but I am ever hopeful a female bird may turn up and that Grumpy will return.
I did see the female that was mauled by the tui up at the Bella Vista feeder this afternoon and later saw tuis at this feeder - the first time I had seen tui at this feeder.
Yesterday there were two tuis inside Grumpy's usual feeder (Picnic) in the morning and another in the afternoon. This morning I placed a piece of wood across the entrance to this feeder but I was amazed to see a Tui still able to squeeze through. I tried a thicker piece of timber allowing just 4cm clearance and was pleased to see a male bellbird had little difficulty gaining access so hopefully this will prevent tui entering.
How things have changed in a week from having 4-5 birds regularly calling at our feeders to just 2 male birds, but I am ever hopeful a female bird may turn up and that Grumpy will return.
I did see the female that was mauled by the tui up at the Bella Vista feeder this afternoon and later saw tuis at this feeder - the first time I had seen tui at this feeder.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Radio excerpt from the Whakanewha Bellbird release
http://www.waihekeradio.org.nz/node/775
This is a radio interview by Chris of the day of the release at Whakanewha
"On Sunday 16th May 2010 Bellbirds, or Korimako, a rare (to mainland in the Auckland Region) native New Zealand bird species, were released in Whakanewha Regional Park on Waiheke Island (along with the Fenwick Reserve at Te Matuku Bay). Waiheke Radio was there to record the event. The programme includes interviews with Park Ranger Andy Spence, Auckland Regional Council chairperson Mike Lee and volunteer John Smeed, a recording of the release of the birds and Mike Lee's speech detailing the extensive planning and preparation that has gone into this historic occasion."
This is a radio interview by Chris of the day of the release at Whakanewha
"On Sunday 16th May 2010 Bellbirds, or Korimako, a rare (to mainland in the Auckland Region) native New Zealand bird species, were released in Whakanewha Regional Park on Waiheke Island (along with the Fenwick Reserve at Te Matuku Bay). Waiheke Radio was there to record the event. The programme includes interviews with Park Ranger Andy Spence, Auckland Regional Council chairperson Mike Lee and volunteer John Smeed, a recording of the release of the birds and Mike Lee's speech detailing the extensive planning and preparation that has gone into this historic occasion."
Feeding Nectar feeding birds
Feeding wax eyes is simple. A small deep sided dish will do.
Tui and Bellbirds require a hummingbird feeder. You can get one from the Forest and Bird stall at the market or from Tiritiri Matangi shop. Hygene is most important to prevent cross infections. The bottles and feeders need to be thoroughly cleaned every couple of days with some disinfectant, making sure to remove traces of this afterwards.
One cup of RAW brown sugar dissolved in two litres of water is the correct mix to use. Don't overdo the sugar or the birds will get the runs. Keep it cool until it's used to prevent it fermenting.
The wax eyes will catch on faster if you also put out half oranges, cut across the equator, held down in some way and put the sugar water near the oranges. If you put the feeder in a dish of water you will keep the ants off.
The tui may take a couple of months to find the feeder, but when they do, they will defend it from all comers. The wax eyes will help to attract the tui's attention. If you still want to see the wax eyes you'll need to move their dish somewhere else or they wont get a look in. The wax eyes are really cute.
Of course, if you're near Whakanewha Park you may be lucky enough to see Bellbirds in your garden. If you have a cat it's best not to encourage birds to feed in your garden. If you don't have a cat then maybe you will be lucky enough to see bellbirds come to your feeder, but, any tui, being very territorial, will see them off if the feeder in not in a box with restricted entrance holes no more than 5cm wide and 6 high. You can see the design of the boxes by going down to Dotties Lane at the park and taking a look at them there. You will also see the bellbirds coming to these boxes if you're patient, best time of day is late afternoon.
The Hamilton bellbird release has some good info and pictures on the site below. Have a look
http://www.ew.govt.nz/projects/Hamilton-Halo/Bellbirds-korimako/
Tui and Bellbirds require a hummingbird feeder. You can get one from the Forest and Bird stall at the market or from Tiritiri Matangi shop. Hygene is most important to prevent cross infections. The bottles and feeders need to be thoroughly cleaned every couple of days with some disinfectant, making sure to remove traces of this afterwards.
One cup of RAW brown sugar dissolved in two litres of water is the correct mix to use. Don't overdo the sugar or the birds will get the runs. Keep it cool until it's used to prevent it fermenting.
The wax eyes will catch on faster if you also put out half oranges, cut across the equator, held down in some way and put the sugar water near the oranges. If you put the feeder in a dish of water you will keep the ants off.
The tui may take a couple of months to find the feeder, but when they do, they will defend it from all comers. The wax eyes will help to attract the tui's attention. If you still want to see the wax eyes you'll need to move their dish somewhere else or they wont get a look in. The wax eyes are really cute.
Of course, if you're near Whakanewha Park you may be lucky enough to see Bellbirds in your garden. If you have a cat it's best not to encourage birds to feed in your garden. If you don't have a cat then maybe you will be lucky enough to see bellbirds come to your feeder, but, any tui, being very territorial, will see them off if the feeder in not in a box with restricted entrance holes no more than 5cm wide and 6 high. You can see the design of the boxes by going down to Dotties Lane at the park and taking a look at them there. You will also see the bellbirds coming to these boxes if you're patient, best time of day is late afternoon.
The Hamilton bellbird release has some good info and pictures on the site below. Have a look
http://www.ew.govt.nz/projects/Hamilton-Halo/Bellbirds-korimako/
Friday, August 13, 2010
August 12 2010
More bell birds are coming in. Now 7 have been recorded around Pete’s patch, they seem to be gathering together there, perhaps the Spring is calling? We have put up two extra feeder boxes we made ourselves extending the distance a bit more so no one male can defend them all. The females are now being tolerated in the boxes when the males are around. We have removed the unboxed feeders to discourage the tui who were being more aggressive. One male tui attacked and almost killed a female bellbird, Peter just happened to be on site at the time to separate them, luckily. He popped her in a feeder box to recover and she was fine again. Just a little later on the day she appears to have been mated by Grumpy. I have encouraged Peter to keep a written record of what is happening as it may make a good story in the end. The birds are quite mobile from Pete’s patch up to Bella Vista.
Things are looking very good at this time. We are all very hopeful.
We have also put up a lovely old Post and Rail fence in the area with 150yr old posts we found in the bush nearby as a bit of an historic reminder of the area, it looks great.
Things are looking very good at this time. We are all very hopeful.
We have also put up a lovely old Post and Rail fence in the area with 150yr old posts we found in the bush nearby as a bit of an historic reminder of the area, it looks great.
August 10 11 2010
August 10 2010 From Peter
A male bellbird was sighted at the new cathedral bird feeder this afternoon. It did not take them long to find it.
I am impressed with (the new old post and rail fence) your legacy artwork. Pity entries have closed for the Headland Sculpture on the Gulf!
August 11 2010 from Peter
A different bird was sighted in Pete's patch this morning - VM/GO a juvenile Tawharanui male released in Whakanewha so where he has been - who knows and presumably managing without a feeder. Oddly no other birds were sighted this morning. I did not sight him this afternoon but Grumpy was back in the company of our other female. Grumpy must have ditched the other mauled female although she has not been seen in our patch since the day of the mauling. The new bird sighted this morning did have a transmitter (68 + 1.0). So if the records were still available it would be interesting to know where this bird had been logged when the transmitters were active.
August 11 2010 from Andy
22 May is the last record of this one’s transmitter. I think it must have failed quite early on. However it was spotted about 6 times around Crosby and Pohutukawa Point and Dan’s Lookout, so it’s been hanging around the park all this time and now it is coming to the feeders. The birds are gathering together is seems around Pete’s patch, perhaps Spring is calling?
A male bellbird was sighted at the new cathedral bird feeder this afternoon. It did not take them long to find it.
I am impressed with (the new old post and rail fence) your legacy artwork. Pity entries have closed for the Headland Sculpture on the Gulf!
August 11 2010 from Peter
A different bird was sighted in Pete's patch this morning - VM/GO a juvenile Tawharanui male released in Whakanewha so where he has been - who knows and presumably managing without a feeder. Oddly no other birds were sighted this morning. I did not sight him this afternoon but Grumpy was back in the company of our other female. Grumpy must have ditched the other mauled female although she has not been seen in our patch since the day of the mauling. The new bird sighted this morning did have a transmitter (68 + 1.0). So if the records were still available it would be interesting to know where this bird had been logged when the transmitters were active.
August 11 2010 from Andy
22 May is the last record of this one’s transmitter. I think it must have failed quite early on. However it was spotted about 6 times around Crosby and Pohutukawa Point and Dan’s Lookout, so it’s been hanging around the park all this time and now it is coming to the feeders. The birds are gathering together is seems around Pete’s patch, perhaps Spring is calling?
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