over the hill: Katikati Birds and Two Reserves

We stayed at the Katikati RSA for a few nights, and not far from where we were parked was this tree loaded with berries that attracted the birds. We were lucky enough to enjoy a visit from this keruru.

And then the tuis arrived. There were several of those all feasting on these little plum berries.

Park Road Reserve

There was more birdlife at two of Katikati's reserves that we visited. The first was Park Reserve and just to the right of the reserve was this white-faced heron strolling through the freshly mown grass.

It was a really peaceful place—lots of open spaces and although it was an overcast day, the sun shone through occasionally, and it was a lovely walk along the side of the water.

These pied stilts were resting at the edge of the water, most of them standing on one leg looking cute!

This poor boat had more water in it than under it.

And then I spied a kingfisher. First on this branch not too far from the pied stilts . . .

. . . and then sitting up in this tree.

Three swans on the water.

"Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub" sculpture.

Some silvereyes (also known as white-eyes and waxeyes) eating nectar from the stunning red-hot pokers (Kniphofia).

Tamawhariua Reserve

Tamawhariua Reserve is right next to MacMillan Reserve at Long Beach. We took a walk along a long grassy area next to the water. Not the same manicured lawns as at the previous reserve, but we enjoyed some great views. There was a fence along the edge of the bank for some of the way. It appeared the sea was washing away the land.

You wouldn't want to go too close to the edge as in places the grassy edge was hanging out over nothing, and if you walked on it, it was likely to break away and fall into the water.