Birds (and the bees)

Plenty of evidence of spring in Paihia now. Including that migratory creature, the camper van, though not too many for comfort yet.

It's amazing the things that you notice when you're taken out of your familiar environment though. They may drive on the correct side of the road here and speak English (albeit in a funny accent) but the subtle things remind you that you're in new territory. The bird calls, for instance.

There is plenty of wildlife in these parts and the apartments we're staying at are on the hill in a 'bush setting' (that's 'in the woods' to you and me) and daily life is accompanied by a wide variety of less-than-familiar bird song, including the distinctive, comical sound of the Tui, which I think is my favourite.

Out and about we have spotted many kingfishers and a number of new species too - white herons, massive native pigeons, pukeko, quails and the brightly coloured Eastern Rosella. There is a good spot for fishing just below the golf course here and every time we walk down that way we are followed, very closely, by a number of cheeky, inquisitive fantails too.

And, of course, it is spring. Which means there is plenty of 'courtship behaviour' on display. In the woods round here that seems to entail a lot of noisy fighting and low swooping as the males compete for the affections of their women. There's nothing like a lazy afternoon spent sitting in the sun watching the goings-on.

There also seem to be wild chickens and turkeys everywhere we go. Some pretty impressive specimens too - cockrels with fantastic plumage. We went to feed the ducks in Kerikeri the other day and ended up feeding chickens and turkeys too (plus some strange birds which could be 'tucks' or maybe 'churkeys'). We're in Kiwi country here, and though we have yet to see a Kiwi, people are used to keeping their dogs under strict control to avoid harming the ground-dwelling Kiwi population. Which probably explains why there are so many 'free range' chickens and turkeys here, where there aren't in the UK.

Anyway - I don't know if it is just the different sights and sounds, or if the birds are more abundant and vocal here, but they are hard to ignore and Alec and I have turned into bird watchers of a minor order.

So, it was quite apt that one of my anniversary presents from my lovely husband was a bird identification book. Very excited about the prospects of seeing penguins and albatross. At this rate I will know more about the birds of New Zealand than the birds of the UK.

Thanks to everyone who sent best wishes for our anniversary. Even though, strictly speaking, it's not our anniversary here until tomorrow morning (we got married in Vegas at 10.30am on the 10th September - very confusing I know) we're off out tonight for our tea. Well - there's nowhere open here at 5.30am.

p.s. - good luck with the op Neil. Kxx