New Zealand – Auckland District.

I have had a couple of trips out with the Pooch. I wanted a walk with interest for me too so I set out for the Arataki Visitor Centre on the edge of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. There I was able to walk on the Beveridge Track with a dog. I must say I was a bit puzzled as I had to wash and disinfect my boots before entering the track but the wash is poisonous to dogs so he can go in without. They are trying to stop the spread of a fungus that causes die back in the Kauri trees. These tree are colossal and coniferous, they live to an ancient age and are seriously threatened by this fungus.

The walk was glorious. High up and looking over Lower Nihotupu Reservoir and Symonds Bay. It was well used and well maintained track. At the start there were lables on some of the plants which was really useful. Lots of birds calling and I got a really good view of a Tui. The video clip is a bit dark so I’ve found a picture I can use so you can see what it actually looks like.

The one I filmed was fairly quiet. They are good mimics and in the middle of something fairly tuneful they can put in the sound of a smoke alarm!

On my estuary walks I have seen Australian Swallow, they emigrated 60 years ago apparently. The little silvereyes I’ve mentioned before also have come across too in the 1800’s, which is no mean feat when you realise it’s two and a half thousand miles xx
The other thing I saw in the estuary was a three foot eel. It was in about ten inches of water between the mangrove roots moving very slowly, it looked like it was hunting. I found it slightly creepy. I watched it for a good few minutes before it moved out of my sight. Strangely the Pooch didn’t bark at it, in fact he seemed a bit unnerved by it too, he backed into me when it went under the board walk at our feet.

Dogs are not as well catered for here as they are in England. You cannot take them into many of the National parks at all and as there is so much trapping and poisoning of predators it’s difficult to walk in wilder areas even on a lead.

I found a dog park which was great as I could let Pooch off the lead in complete peace. He loved it racing about, chasing me and meeting other dogs.