On this page we intend to keep a diary of changes in any aspect of the Karekare environment. Please email all contributions to webeditor@karekare.org.nz

November 2002
This drawing on the lifecycle of eels was drawn by by Celeste Strewe of farm road. See picture

October 22nd 2002
Native orchids are flowering at the moment throughout the bush. They can even be seen alongside the roadsides if you look carefully, this specimen of Pterostylis banksii was found at the side of Lone Kauri road. by Alan Moore

October 18th 2002
If you have a Timms trap, now is a good time to get it out and set it. We have caught 2 possums in the last week (unfortunately not before they had decimated the tomato plants we had on the deck). Operation Forestsave did a fantastic job on the possums but we need to be vigilante to ensure the numbers do not rebuild. by Alan Moore

October 3rd 2002
There is a spectacular flowering of Kowhai (Sophora tetraptera) at the moment. Kowhai have been in flower since early September and there are plenty of Tuis feeding on the nectar. by Alan Moore

September 30th 2002
Usually seen in the bush in September as a lovely splash of white at the top of the trees, the native clematis, the maori name is: Puawhananga; the Latin name is: clematis paniculata. You may have seen it growing quite profusely up a plant near the school, on Lone Kauri Rd It seems to making a real resurgence now the possum numbers have been reduced. A vigorous evergreen climber occurring in lowland forests throughout New Zealand, climbing 10 metres to the top of trees. Flowers up to 10cm across, the larger flowered plants being the male of the species. The female plants flowers are followed by fluffy, silvery seed heads. by Mike Nixon

September 15th 2002
Peter De Jaeger reported that he had seen a kaka flying around locally recently; latin name: nestor meridionalis septentrionalis. Kaka have nests in dry cavities of trees, often with a narrow entrance hole. they lay eggs from October to February. This is fantastic news. Also, whilst we were weeding around the pohutakawa glade on our Landcare day, Kate Lang found a small live kauri snail, maori name: pupu rangi; Latin name: paryphanta busby. We gladly put the snail back, and hope it survives a bit longer. by Julia Moore

September 12th 2002
The rat trapping and laying out of bait over the past two years around Karekare is having an impact on bird numbers. The future can only be more promising. Just around our house we saw three kereru, native wood pigeons gorging themselves on one nikau tree. Their latin name is: hemiphaga novaeseelandiae, and they lay eggs from September to February, but winter nesting has also been reported. by Julia Moore

September 11th 2002
Driving home from work at 9pm I saw a black cat run across the bottom of Lone Kauri road. This is a reminder to all cat owners to please keep your cat inside to preserve some bird and insect life. by Julia Moore

September 9th 2002
Have been noticing lots of flowers out - it must be spring! Several species of hebe are in flower plus there is quite a bit of clematis growing in the trees from a distance you can see white patches in the forest. Karo (latin name: pittosporum crassifolium) is also in flower - see picture on the left. It is found naturally along coastal forest margins and stream sides in northern New Zealand. The scented flowers last from September to December. This also means the weeds are in flower, such as mistflower and wandering jew. by Alan Moore

September 4th 2002
On the north rocks there was a dead seal. Also much happier to see a live seal on the rocks looked very young. The young seal was a bit quick for a photo so I only have a photo of the dead seal. by Alan Moore

June 29th 2002
I found a dead little blue penguin ( latin name: eudyptula minor) on the sand dunes just south of the rocks on the southern end of Karekare beach. they live in caves, rock crevices and burows. This dead one had been mauled across the back of its neck, so I assume it was attacked by either a mustelid or a dog. Very sad. It is a reminder to locals and visitors not to take dogs beyond the south rocks, and shows evidence of what pests and pets are capable of destroying. by Julia Moore

June 4th 2002
A big storm caused the lagoon to move on the beach. For the past 12 years the stream has been moving further southwards down the beach. In the course of one night thousands of cubic metres of sand were shifted to move the stream course back to its old position along the base of the watchman. by Alan Moore.

January 2002
I found a forest gecko in our garden when I was weeding, only about 8 centimetres long. It was hiding in the forest litter on the forest floor near our house. I was ecstatic, as we have had rat traps set constantly around our house over the last 6 months, and this is positive proof of the benefits. by Julia Moore