[veronica]

OK so now we have a garden and its amazing the weeds are mainly the same offenders. Bindweed, dandelions, shepherds purse, cleavers, chickweed, thistles and others that I recognise but don't know the names of. I can only assume that these were brought in by accident in hay from the early settlers or seeds on peoples shoes/clothes etc. I can't see any reason for them being brought in for a pupose. As there is a world wide trade in Garden plants there are few surprises there, although there are some lovely native trees and theres bumble bees, huge flies, ants etc. Last week the dogs were going berserk down the garden and there was a hedgehog tightly curled up, (anyone think of a reason for bringing them over) haven't seen much evidence of slugs or snails here, there are spiders and have seen evidence of mice too.
I took myself off to the shops and bought a couple of bird books when we first arrived only to be disappointed to find that the main part of one entitled Town birds was mainly things like Sparrows, starlings, thrushes, greenfinches, bullfinches, chaffinches, goldfinch, blackbirds, etc. with a few natives in there. luckily the sea and country side birds seem to be more native.

[eric_amanda]

Hi Veronica

Weeds all seem the same to me, I have been spending the last few weeks tidying up the garden here and most seem exactly the same as we had in our UK gardens, they just grow faster!! Garden plants as you say are a worldwide trade, but at least here we can grow the tropical ones more successfully!!

Native trees, we have a whole back yard (conservation area) dedicated to them and some are really beautiful.

Flies, bees, ants, spiders - the same only they are on steroids here!! Eric found a couple of hedgehogs last week mating in one of the paddocks!! Not sure what good they will bring us though, and mice, we caught one last week, so they are definately here!!

The birds we have here a beautiful, some as you say are as common as blackbirds or sparrows, some we do not know the names of but there colours are fabulous. I think our bush here attracts lots of the bird life so we are quite lucky. As for books, I've been looking too but have not been successful, if you find anything of use, let me know the ISBN number, I was wanting something handy to use with the children.

Also we have a possum, its been eating our lemons, apparently we have to kill it, but I kind of feel sorry for it!! I am told if there is one there will be more!

[veronica]

Most of the books I've bought have been from a second hand bookshop down the road so they are older but for gardening and birds thats not an issue. to sort out whats worth buying its probably well worth the time to visit the local library and see which ones are best for them. may only need to borrow them and not buy. Although I always think its worth buying reference books of this sort.

[Dave & Sandra]

I saw my first Tui bird in our garden yesterday. Thought at first it was a blackbird then noticed what were like 2 white balls on its throat. Dave was quite miffed as he hasn't seen one yet.

Weeds! I've never seen 3 foot dandelions before. :eek It would take me a life time just to weed our garden - rent-a-gardener is called for :yes

[Diny]

Sandra

The Tui is beautiful isn't it, have you heard it's call yet ... really nice.

Legend has it that they were given the white feathers by Tane Mahuta, the king of the forest. He wanted Tui to go to the floor of the forest to help clear away the bugs which were taking over. Tui was too scared to go to the dark floor of the forest himself and refused. So Tane Mahuta put the sign of the coward at his throat (2 white feathers) which he would have to wear for all time.

I find the Maori legends fascinating !!

Diny

[Bubbles]

What a great little story.

[Dave & Sandra]

Diny

What a lovely story. Shall I go and shout coward at it :laugh

[Caven]

Good news Veronica about a lack of slugs and snails, chuffed to bits...(Yes, I fall into the Night-Prowler category when it comes to these sodding things!).

I'm wondering though, are gardens ever damaged by Possums eating fresh shoots? I ask because I think little daughter would not be impressed if a similar line was taken against Possums!!

[Dave & Sandra]

We've got snails in our garden. Nah, nah, nah,nah,nah.

[Stu]

Yes, get rid of that possum! They are a noxious pest, as bad as rats here, aside from eating yer lemons (diddums) their REALLY bad points are that they are hugely infected with TB (keep kids and pets away from them!) and also because they love eggs... those nice tuis you see, well, friend possum eats them in the nest as eggs or hatchlings. Kill a possum today, save the native flora and fauna!

Some native plants are all very pretty I suppose, but I personally prefer my nice deciduous trees. As for flowers etc! Cripes, I MUST get a pic of my roadfront at the moment, sown with wildflower seed, it is pretty nice looking at the moment.

cheers,
Stu.

[Diny]

Stu

You forgot to mention the noise they make as they run across the tin roof !!!!!!

Diny