Wildlife gallery

The land, air and water surrounding blockhill is full of life. Our valley offers a rich and fertile biodiversity that, like any ecosystem, is complete with pests, predators and prey.

 

Greenfinch eating brassica seed

Greenfinch eating brassica seed

Date  December 29, 2014
Bellbird on red hot poker plant

Bellbird on red hot poker plant

Details  Bellbirds love nectar and can often be seen clinging to these flowers dotted about our garden.
Date  November 08, 2013
Hedgehog

Hedgehog

These spiny creatures can often be found scurrying around during the evening and at night when they search for food.
Tui

Tui

Today I saw the first Tui as he flew lazily and dipped across the paddock, settling on the tip of a tall pine.

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.

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.

UPDATE
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.
July 17, 2010
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tui_%28bir...
  Bird  Tui  First Sighting 
Little brown frog

Little brown frog

Often heard, never seen, this little creature has been chirping away quite frequently since our wetland has matured.
I was surprised and excited to discover it hiding in the pile of bricks.
March 01, 2013
  frog 
Wood pigeon

Wood pigeon

These birds can be seen in the orchard throughout the year feasting on blossoms and plums.
August 07, 2011
olmec
Kingfisher sits in the old plum tree

Kingfisher sits in the old plum tree

We see this character about from time to time, sitting high on the power wires or one of the trees in the orchard.
May 28, 2012
olmec
Bellbird in the snow

Bellbird in the snow

It's a fine day after the first snow f the year and birds are out in the orchard getting into the last of the fruit.
June 08, 2012
olmec
Naughty ferret

Naughty ferret

The ongoing battle against nature.
Unfortunately if we want to protect our chickens (and local bird-life) we need to control the pests that prey on them.

We trapped this ferret with some old cat food, out near our chook house.

You can guess what happened next. At least he'll contribute his elements to our compost.
March 23, 2011
  ferret  trap  pest 
olmec
The pheasant

The pheasant

For some time we have 'enjoyed' the company of a roving pheasant. Undoubtedly a majestic bird, he spends most of his time in the garden. While not as destructive as a regular chook his presence is frustratingly obvious. Eating off the brussel sprouts, nibbling a cucumber and generally upsetting the progress of the garden.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheasant
March 04, 2011
  pheasant 
Bee swarm

Bee swarm

It started with a few bees buzzing around the corner of the house and quickly turned into several thousand.
Hoping to prevent their entry into the roof cavity I blocked up the small hole they had discovered and tried to forget about it. They wouldn't give up.
November 19, 2010
  bees  swarm  insects 
olmec
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Unknown Insect

Unknown Insect

This strange looking insect with the long 'tail' appeared in the house the other day.

Looks like a cross between a dragon fly and a wasp. Fortunately it didn't hang around.
Baby Fantail

Baby Fantail

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.

It is easily recognised by its long tail which opens to a fan.
February 24, 2010
  Fantail  Native  Bird 
Hedgehog

Hedgehog

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.

If startled they roll into a prickly ball.
Quail

Quail

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.
November 29, 2009
  quail  birds  eggs  incubate 
olmec
Baby thrush

Baby thrush

A nest with 2 baby thrush chicks high in the macrocarpa tree at the end of the garden.
November 20, 2009
olmec
Wasp

Wasp

A paper wasp nest. Looks like it still has some lave in there.
Not sure what these insects look like but I found this hanging from the rafter in the chook shed.
November 12, 2009
olmec
Wax Eye (Silver eye)

Wax Eye (Silver eye)

These cute little native birds are quite common and love to feed on flowers and fruit around the garden.
Unfortunately Gibson managed to catch this one and so I was able to hold it. Eventually it flew from my hands, I hope it survives.
October 19, 2009
Hares

Hares

These large rabbit like creatures are fast moving and hard to spot with their natural camouflage. Ideal for food as they are a pest, eating young trees.
The cat always enjoys a bit to fresh hare and, if I'm feeling particularly adventurous, I try cooking a bit too.
November 01, 2008
About Hares