Report

Again weather not so good. What can I do. I need to go trapping. The new breeding season is not far away! The birdies need to be safe! So I go out along Northern Line. Nothing. Then I do the island traps. Nothing. Then I am up at lookout point and it is only 12.30.
 
So I decide to go down to Circle Line and Piccadilly Line and go home that way. A bit longer. But I was not going home empty handed. Not after such a long time of not having been there. So all the way down to the river access spot. Nothing. Frustrating.
 
Then from river access sign up to Piccadilly. Finally D63, one of the new traps had a big rat. At least something now. Then D65 had a mouse. Something more. Then I got to the coalmine and met the boys cutting down the trees. Had a chat with them and told them not to disturb my traps. Down to coalmine. Nothing again. Then along Piccadilly and D12 had another large rat.
 
Then I go and check T38 which is down a bit in the bush and blimey no trap there! Gone! Look around in the bush and nothing. Surely must be there somewhere. So I have to climb down a bit and through bush and ferns twice and finally I found it among thick undergrowth. A possum!! All eaten. So I presume it was a cat that moved the trap all the way down there. What a relief. One more possum.
 
Then further along D4 had another rat. Then I came to T37 and it was moved by the boys. They were felling trees and deposited the trap right beside the track. So I had to find another place for it. A bit safer. And found one to the other side of track up a bit and behind a tree.
 
From there on there was nothing. I am sure there are still more possums to be had. I saw some evidence so have to be patient and just keep on re luring the traps with fresh apple at least once a week. Luckily it is cold enough now so that the apple keep fresh for quite a while.
 
Heard many birds today especially bellbirds. And to my surprise the first kowhai tree is already in flower. Did not expect that until August. Strange. Maybe just a fluke. But the tree was already used by the bellbirds for food. They like the honey in the yellow flowers. That is of course really good. They will not go hungry and from now on maybe until September the kowhai will flower along the walkway.