Observations by clarerobertson

I had my tunnel out for three nights in a garden beside the house and got some mice tracks.
They did not eat much of the peanut butter.
The tracks are nice and clear and from looking at the examples of different tracks, it is clear to see that they are from mice.
Interesting to see what rodents and mammals are in the area.

As I was unable to go on the 2015 field trip to the west coast, I did my observation in a pine forest which is situated above where I live on the hills of Charteris Bay Banks Peninsula.
I marked and analysed a 10x10 area searching for each of the categories, including woody plants, woody seedlings,ferns,herbaceous vascular plants, mushrooms and invertebrates in the bush and on the ground.
As a pine forest is extremely different to the forests of the west coast, I am sure I would have found different species, and to my understanding, a lot less biodiversity with the ph levels of pine soil and lack of variety of plants.

I did a Woody plant 1 m high count and was able to find a few different varieties . this one I have not been able to identify and there were eight of these in the 10x10 area of observation. It has large smooth,thin, seven finger leaves.

As I was unable to go on the 2015 field trip to the west coast, I did my observation in a pine forest which is situated above where I live on the hills of Charteris Bay Banks Peninsula.
I marked and analysed a 10x10 area searching for each of the categories, including woody plants, woody seedlings,ferns,herbaceous vascular plants, mushrooms and invertebrates in the bush and on the ground.
As a pine forest is extremely different to the forests of the west coast, I am sure I would have found different species, and to my understanding, a lot less biodiversity with the ph levels of pine soil and lack of variety of plants.

In this location, I found few invertebrates, even though there were many decomposing logs etc, One of which I did find was the slater which was amounts the pines, beside the rotting logs.The logs were very dry and looked as though there would have once been many insect, invertebrate species, but now gone as the logs had very little left to them.

As I was unable to go on the 2015 field trip to the west coast, I did my observation in a pine forest which is situated above where I live on the hills of Charteris Bay Banks Peninsula.
I marked and analysed a 10x10 area searching for each of the categories, including woody plants, woody seedlings,ferns,herbaceous vascular plants, mushrooms and invertebrates in the bush and on the ground.
As a pine forest is extremely different to the forests of the west coast, I am sure I would have found different species, and to my understanding, a lot less biodiversity with the ph levels of pine soil and lack of variety of plants.

I only found one type and one fern in this area. I am not exactly sure what verity it was... This area at first glance was lacking in biodiversity with majority pine so was surprised to find this fern.

As I was unable to go on the 2015 field trip to the west coast, I did my observation in a pine forest which is situated above where I live on the hills of Charteris Bay Banks Peninsula.
I marked and analysed a 10x10 area searching for each of the categories, including woody plants, woody seedlings,ferns,herbaceous vascular plants, mushrooms and invertebrates in the bush and on the ground.
As a pine forest is extremely different to the forests of the west coast, I am sure I would have found different species, and to my understanding, a lot less biodiversity with the ph levels of pine soil and lack of variety of plants.
I did a 5 minute bird count and only saw two varieties in that time including six Fantail, and one Silver Eye. I could here many Magpie and another bird which I was unable to identify. The fantails were very playful dating from tree to tree. I did not see the fain tail eating throughout the duration.

Within the first 5 minutes of my first observation, the Rhipidura fuliginosa appeared in a near pine forest with it's high pitched chirp. It became extremely playful and followed me and stayed around for a duration of 30 minutes. One other appeared after 20 minutes. Thay were darting amounts the Phormium tenax Harakeke and Leonohebe capressiodies, which are planted dominantly around the property. These have no fruit on them at this stage as the seed pods have dried up. The one main Fantail ate a flying insect of some sort and also attempted to eat a monarch butterfly catalos.
They were very friendly with a high pitched single toned chirp.
A family of Californian quail Callipepla californica that I see from time to time darted pass quickly as frightened. One mother with 3 babies.
In the distance I could here many Magpais Gymnorhina tibicen amounts the lower gum trees and in the distant pine forest.
A Swamp Harrier, Circus approximans paele glidded in in the distance towards the end of the 20 minute interval. The property is planted with a majority of native plants and during time there are many bird sightings from wood pigeons , quails to sea birds as the inner harbour is in sight.

I work as a gardener for a family at their private garden life style block.
The family being garden development enthusiast have turned this flat farm land property into an insect and bird sanctuary. On previous days I have seen other butterfly species, but this day for the 20 minute period, I could only find the Pieris rapae Cabbage White.
The host plants which these butterflies were attracted to were Tropaeolum polyphllum nasturtium, Family fabaecae bean family, Apium graveolens var. dulce celery and Pisum sativum var. saccharatum Snow pea.
The Pieris rapae Cabbage White were in flight and would not land for a long period of time during this period.