Bush talk 9 November 2009

This newsletter is updated regularly with Below: Mingimingi (the non-prickly kind) was
new material including reports on recent in flower in September.
events, photos from our walks and
information about relevant activities that
have been held already as well as ones that
are coming up.
Bush Walk & Talk
Since 2004, I have been running an outdoor
programme called Bush Walk and Talk
(BWT). All the walks are in North Shore’s
largest bush reserves. Participants learn how
to identify native tree species, shrubs and
ground ferns. We are interested in
discovering what is flowering or fruiting,
and noticing treasures on the ground (tiny
seedlings, seed and pollen cones, fungi,
wildlife). We also identify birds seen and
heard, check out pest plants and discuss
relevant issues. We take our time.
To date, the programme has been offered
under the umbrella of adult community
education (ACE). This is about to change, as
funding for ACE has been cut.
From February 2010 BWT is being offered
by Kaipatiki Project.
Recent discoveries
Whau was still flowering in Fernglen on 7
November, and one Poor Knights Lily still
had the last vestiges of blooms. This usually
flowers in mid-September.
Ngaio is also flowering. We have seen it in
Tuff Crater and on the Glenfield Coastal Above: Spring bulbs flowering in Centennial
Park, 13 September. Photos by Philip Moll.
Walkway. Kanuka started flowering in
October. Bush walks coming up
The three community education options this
term include looking for rewarewa flowers.
Remaining walks in the Glenfield Bush
Walk & Talk programme (9.30 - 11.30am).
Enrol at www.gcc.co.nz
Nov 14 Witheford to Manuka Reserve and back incl
Standish Res
Nov 21 Stancich to Linley Reserve

Northcote’s programme started on Sunday

November 8. Enrol at www.learn4life.co.nz
Nov 15 Stancich to Linley Reserve
Nov 29 Le Roys Bush
Above: Salt marsh ribbonwood fruiting in Tuff Dec 6 Kauri Glen Reserve
Crater, 31 October. Photo by Philip Moll.

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Bush talk 9 November 2009

Long Bay College’s programme is on You will be able to enrol on the Kaipatiki
Monday evenings (6-8pm) this term. It Project’s website www.kaipatiki.org.nz or
started on November 9. phone 482 1172. Dates and schedules will
Enrol at www.longbaycollege.com be posted on the website.
Nov 16 Kauri Point Centennial Park
Nov 23 Fernglen Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC)
Nov 30 Witheford to Manuka Reserve and back F&B has had a children’s arm for 20 years.
incl Standish Reserve KCC membership is $19 per child. Schools
can also join for $74 per class. Phone 0800
Other bush walk options 200 064 or join online at www.kcc.org.nz
If you wish to go on a guided walk at any
Members get a magazine Wild Things full of
other time in a local bush reserve, either on
information and activities, five times a year.
your own, or in a group, please contact me.
Parents accompany their child(ren) on
Family bush walks are also possible.
outings.
Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of
North Shore’s KCC is very active, with
New Zealand Tiaki Taiao (F&B)
more than 300 members. Activities are
F&B is the longest serving conservation
offered near and far. A free newsletter is
organisation in NZ, having been established
distributed three times a year.
in 1923. There are 52 branches of Forest &
Bird. North Shore is one of the biggest. Join I am one of six local KCC coordinators
online at www.forestandbird.org.nz providing an exciting programme which is
educational and fun for parents and children
F&B members get an excellent glossy
alike. Most children are under 13.
magazine, packed with photos and
information about what is happening on the Wonder walkers
native bird and plant scene within NZ, four Dame Susan Devoy’s website
times a year. Field trips are organised www.wonderwalkers.co.nz lists walks all
regularly by each branch every month. around NZ. If you have a walk you want to
publicise, they will upload the details for
The North Shore branch of F&B holds
free.
informative meetings on the first Monday
each month, usually with a guest speaker, at
Happy walking…
the Takapuna Senior Citizens’ Hall, behind
Takapuna Library on The Strand.
Margi
You don’t have to be an F&B member to Margi Keys
attend meetings. It’s only a gold coin Phone: 09 443 6919 or 0274 481 581
donation and you get a cuppa and a biscuit. Email: makeys@nettel.net.nz
Arrive by at 7.30pm.
2010
A slightly different format of BWT will be
offered. We will not be constrained by four
school terms as in the past, and we will
collect seeds for propagation in the Kaipatiki
Project nursery. Six lots of five Saturday
morning walks will be offered initially, with
the first series starting on February 13.
Provisional start dates for the rest of the year
are April 10; June 12; July 31; September 4;
November 6.