It finally feels like it’s been ages since anything has been posted to this blog.
Although nothing much has happened on the conservation side, things are still plodding forward. …
We have just acquired another aviary, this one is going to be specifically for the Antips.
Here is hoping that by the end of July, we will have a bird from Dunedin and one from Te Anau.
Other things we have been doing, besides battling bugs and viruses…
Geckos
We’ve heard that the Geckos we’re getting have had their bums swabbed and this has been sent away to ensure that they are all healthy. Once this is confirmed, then we should be a little closer to taking ownership of the four Geckos.
Will keep you posted
Snow
Early in June (a Saturday afternoon) we had some Snow. It wasn’t too much, perhaps an inch or so on the ground. Yet it was cold enough for the snow to still be laying on the ground two days later. On the Sunday when we went out to check on the birds in the outside aviaries, we discovered that a young Japanese Quail didn’t make it through the night. Very sad for us. We decided to bring the second baby inside, for a while.
All the other birds were fine and the dogs loved their first snow experience, running around like mad characters and eating the white stuff on the ground.
Hedgehog
A week or so before the snow, Fiona was outside and discovered a little hedgehog in the flower beds. After a little research, we learned that because of his size (about a tennis ball when rolled up) there was a chance that it wasn’t going to make it through the winter. We also discovered that because it was found in the open during daylight, there was a chance that the little guy was probably sick too.
It was brought inside and kept in the hospital box, until it was strong enough to start ripping all the paper up and tipping the water all over the place. Fiona realised that it was probably trying to make a nest for the winter.
We moved it into an old large cooler box with a little makeshift hut, food and water. All the strips paper kept disappearing into the house, so it was definitely stronger. We’ve noticed that it hasn’t gone on a full hibernation thing, because it keeps popping out every now and again for a feed.
We’re confident that by Summer, we can let it go out into the garden again.
St John Ambulance
Due to sickness we had to miss our interview session. The interview session included a written section, numeric section and a fitness section. We’re all set to go again in August.
Search & Rescue
Over the last few months I, Erich, have been fully committed to this task. After training, I am now a member of RT10 (Christchurch Response Team) and a member of RT12 (Waimakariri Response Team). The reason for the cross-over between the two groups is because I work in Christchurch and live out in the Waimak area. I figure if the proverbial hits the fan during the night or a weekend, then I will deploy with RT12 otherwise I will probably deploy with RT10. Naturally it’s my hope that no incident is major enough for me to be required across both units, although I do have a priority of RT10 first.
Until such time as the proverbial does hit the fan, we spend time training, learning and practicing. It’s great fun, I find that most times I am pushed to the edge of my comfort zones and even sometimes beyond – especially as I (used to) have a fear of heights. However I think that I am slowly overcoming that phobia.
Later Days
Filed under: Birds, Bita Dis Bita Dat, Foundation, Geckos
