http://www.blockhill.co.nz/abode/en-ushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_PigeonDetails: The friendly wood pigeon that visited our orchard last year is back in the same plum tree.<br /><br />He (or is it a she?) spends a good part of the day climbing awkwardly around the tree devouring buds and taunting the cat.<br/> Image: 2010/woodPigeon.jpg<br/> Date: 2010-08-22T00:00:00.000+12:00<br/> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tui_%28bird%29Details: Today I saw the first Tui as he flew lazily and dipped across the paddock, settling on the tip of a tall pine.<br /><br />Over the next half an hour or so he explored the gully and I could hear his distinctive voice as he called out, seeking cousins.<br /><br />I just hope he decides to take up residence and not just pass on through. There is plenty to keep him here, but no mates at present.<br /><br /><strong>UPDATE</strong><br />For the next week or so, 2 Tuis set up residence in our orchard and could be seen and heard playing noisily. At present (24 Aug) they seem to have gone again. We hope they return.<br/> Image: http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/img/tuib2.jpg<br/> Date: 2010-07-17T00:00:00.000+12:00<br/> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DZxvnGBZuYImage: 2010/fantail.jpg<br/> Details: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DZxvnGBZuY">Check out this short video of two fantails that were hanging round the house today.</a><br /><span>Snow is falling and the fantails have come in under the deck to get out of the weather. Eventually they come inside for warmth and a few flies.</span><br/> Date: 2010-06-08T00:00:00.000+12:00<br/> Details: This strange looking insect with the long 'tail' appeared in the house the other day.<br /><br />Looks like a cross between a dragon fly and a wasp. Fortunately it didn't hang around.<br/> Image: 2010/strangeBug.jpg<br/> Large Image: 2010/strangeBug.jpg<br/> Image: 2010/fantail.jpg<br/> Large Image: 2010/fantail.jpg<br/> Details: <div class="fh-p"> <p>Known for its friendly 'cheet cheet' call and energetic flying antics, the aptly named fantail is one of the most common and widely distributed native birds on the New Zealand mainland.</p> <p>It is easily recognized by its long tail which opens to a fan. It has a small head and bill and has two colour forms, pied and melanistic or black. The pied birds are grey-brown with white and black bands.</p> </div><br/> Date: 2010-02-24T00:00:00.000+13:00<br/> Details: These spiny little mammals usually come out at dusk or during the night and snuffle about eating worms and insects although they can on occasion eat eggs.<br /><br />If startled they roll into a prickly ball.<br/> Image: animals/hedgehog.jpg<br/> Large Image: animals/hedgehog.jpg<br/> Image: 2009/quailEggs.jpg<br/> Large Image: 2009/quailEggs.jpg<br/> Details: While cutting wood the other day I uncovered a nest containing 14 quail eggs. These birds are common round here and apparently make good eating so I transfered the eggs under a clucky hen in the hopes she will hatch them out.<br/> Date: 2009-11-29T00:00:00.000+13:00<br/> Image: 2009/chicks.jpg<br/> Large Image: 2009/chicks.jpg<br/> Details: A nest with 2 baby thrush chicks high in the macrocarpa tree at the end of the garden.<br/> Date: 2009-11-20T00:00:00.000+13:00<br/> Image: 2009/waspNest.jpg<br/> Large Image: 2009/waspNest.jpg<br/> Details: A paper wasp nest. Looks like it still has some lave in there. <br />Not sure what these insects look like but I found this hanging from the rafter in the chook shed.<br/> Date: 2009-11-12T00:00:00.000+13:00<br/> Details: We have these less common variety with orange on black.<br/> Image: 2009/ladyBug.jpg<br/>