Notes from Branches

Forest and Bird, Issue 171, 1 February 1969, Page 20

Notes from Branches

AUCKLAND BRANCH A bus-load of Auckland Branch members visited places of interest in the Raetihi district last Labour Day weekend. Highlights of the trip from Auckland included the first glimpse of snow on the slopes of Mt. Ruapehu, the colourful horopito near the road, and the Makatote viaduct. Mr Tom Shout, of Raetihi, a foundation member of the Society, who had been of considerable help in arranging our itinerary, met us on arrival and later joined us for the evening. Mr Hislop, a park board ranger, spoke ? on the Tongariro National Park and showed slides. - On Sunday morning we visited Buchanan brothers’ station at Tangiwai, stopping briefly to view the scene of the 1953 railway disaster. Paradise duck assemble in huge flocks on the station in the non-breeding season and indiscriminate shooting is not allowed there. The flocks had dispersed when we were there, but at close range we saw several pairs, some with ducklings. Our next point of interest was the Ohakune mountain road, where the bus . was able to take us to 4,000 ft. We noted the change from kamahi and rimu to beech and kaikawaka and walked down a track to admire the Mangawhero Falls. A heavy shower and bitter wind sent us back to the bus and the more genial climate at the lower entrance to the Blyth Track. We walked along this track for some distance, happy to find Prince of Wales feather ferns beside the track and to see and hear whiteheads, pied tits, and rifleman wrens. At the entrance to the park we went a short distance along a recently formed nature walk which would be worth another visit. That evening Mrs Satchell showed some of her beautiful slides of New Zealand native plants, and Miss van de Velde showed a film strip of flower

culture in Holland, including some treasured hot-house specimens white arum lilies! On Monday morning we travelled to Pipiriki on a winding road with ' bush along much of its length. A wealth of Clematis indivisa and some C. parviflora were in bloom. We stopped to listen to bellbirds .at one point. There is little left of Pipiriki now that the hotel has gone and the river boats no longer travel the Wanganui River from its wharf. Masses of white arum lilies growing wild set some to speculating on the fortune to be made if only they could be transported to Holland. —P. Fooks WELLINGTON BRANCH Last month the Wellington Branch held a junior nature day, and Mr Eric Lennie led 27 junior members to Queen Elizabeth Park (north of Paekakariki), where among the small lagoons, swamp land, and other waterways many wading birds were observed at. close hand. They included pukeko, white-faced herons, dab chicks, and a flight of 65 mallard ducks. During lunch, which was taken near the sea, some of the party took the opportunity of going for a swim. In a nearby bush area an identification of trees was made, Mr Lennie showing the children points of interest about them. Also seen during the day were harrier hawks, pheasants, kingfishers, and magpies. Junior members are reminded of the other two events listed for them in the Wellington Branch programme, on 14 May and 16 August.

—Gilbert McCaul