The Gathering of the Grebes

Catch-up

Of course we couldn't stop over in Wanaka without paying a visit to our favourite birds' nesting sites on Lake Wanaka's waterfront and what a surprise awaited us.

Not just a handful of Australasian Crested Gebes this time, there were at least 25 grebes nesting, swimming, fishing, guarding, building, fighting, making babies, resting and searching (for a nest site) in the small area between the marina and lake edge.

The artificial nest platforms have multiplied too, obviously to keep up with the population explosion. 

There are at least 15 platforms attached to the marina and floating in the shallows.

And all but one are occupied and closely guarded...

This is the grebe equivalent of the penthouse suite; sheltered from the elements above and behind and complete with a natural greenery screen, providing privacy from the grebes next door.

It might have appeared peaceful after just a quick glance across the water but there were ructions going on all around the marina (this photo is a first- 5 grebes in one shot!)

This pair of grebes were on a mission...

...to secure themselves a nesting site...

They were told in no uncertain terms to back off here but they persisted, trying a different approach...

...from the back.

No luck with that one, they moved onto the next platform and got told off there too...

At a different platform, this grebe just wanted to pass by and under the marina to open water. He tried the 'don't look her in the eye' trick and got past.

The determined couple were now trying it on at floating platform #15, one of the first artificial nest sites and the one that is closest to the shore. It has featured in several of my past blogs, it's also had some modifications with a screen added to break the wind.

If the couple headed to the other end of the marina, they'd find an abandoned nest and a NZ Scaup squatter they'd have no trouble evicting. And, it has greenery too.

Oops...don't look now. I smiled at his dismount; he nose dived over the front, tangling his huge feet in her mane and disappeared into the depths.

It just goes to show that Australasian Crested Grebes thrive with a bit of help. There are going to be a lot of gorgeous little striped babies riding around on their parents backs very soon.

If you'd like to read more, here are some links from previous visits, including chicks riding shotgun and the beautiful courtship display.

But actually, the main reason we stopped at Albert Town Campground was to see if we could spy the NZ Falcon pair that were nesting again in the same place as they did last year; right beside a couple of old logs in the campground. 

Unfortunately, I think it was a bit early and they were still sitting on the eggs out of sight. The area is fenced off so you can't get too close- not that you'd want to, you'd be dive-bombed fairly quickly. We thought we might see an adult flying in or out but saw nothing. In another 6-8 weeks the fledglings will be visible, climbing up on the logs to beg for food.

Cover Photo

It was with great excitement to find out that I'd managed to score the front cover of the latest NZMCA magazine once again; I needed one more to fill a spare gap on the van's wall. Anymore and I'll have to hang them in the loo!

This was taken in Wanaka while I was out and about doing my own personal tiki-tour, capturing the autumn colours while David was fishing. 

The blurb (which I have to supply) reads- Autumn at Albert Town Camping Ground. Located on the banks of the mighty Clutha River just downstream from the river's Lake Wanaka outlet. The camp ground is surrounded by many walking and cycle tracks along both sides of the river, south to Luggate and into Wanaka township.

Hey, I like these short blogs (I bet you do too)!

Out & About in Wanaka

Real-time

We're back in Queenstown after our visit to Moke Lake where it rained virtually solid for 5 days and 5 nights, blew a gale for most of the time and was very cold! There were a couple of brief sunny patches when the cloud and mist lifted to reveal a light dusting of snow on the surrounding mountains and then it would close in and the rain would start again. I got caught in the rain at the far end of the lake, I was determined to walk the lake loop before we left. And David got caught in a heavy downpour while packing up and hitching up as we were leaving. And it's still raining today. 

We actually didn't mind the weather though, we were snug and warm in the van; the diesel heaters really earnt their keep and we were able to catch up on a lot of computer work (especially because there was no internet connection to interrupt the work flow). We also collected enough water to fill our tanks and drinking containers 10 times over- it's been a long time since we've not had to cart or top up water from taps or other water sources. And we had the place virtually to ourselves, if you don't count the 13 retired rams that arrived bedraggled and limping mid week! Their female cohorts were loaded onto a stock truck and carted away.

I know some of you will be waiting for the Skippers Road blog but I thought I’d tidy up some loose ends from our visit to Wanaka & Queenstown during April (this was before we returned to Winton). We’re now back here hoping to explore the road to Glenorchy and beyond. If this weather ever clears.

I’m hoping these posts will be mostly pictorial, with some brief descriptions (famous last words?). So here we go- 

Out & About in Wanaka

Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka- David returning in the Takacat from a day of fishing….and catching zilch. Lake Wanaka was not a very productive lake for him, but he thoroughly enjoyed the hunt.

The last of a long hot summer at Glendhu Bay; warm days, calm waters, beautiful sunrises, crisp mornings, autumn colours and no snow on Treble Cone which overlooks the camp ground. 

‘Faded Dreams of Summer'

Easter signalled the end of the holidays for a multitude of caravans at Glendhu Bay Holiday Park. They are stored, for their owners, at the far end of the camp. Lined up on the access roads, drapes & blinds drawn, in hibernation for the winter. 

At the height of the summer season there are over 1000 campers holidaying at Glendhu Bay. Some people have been coming to this camp for 40-50 years, there is even a couple that have holidayed here for the last 62 years!

I visited Wanaka’s famous ‘lone willow’ for the third time…

…and captured a combination of the past visits- autumn colours and very wet feet.

The lone willow began its life as a fence post, marking the end one of the many fences that end thigh deep in the water around the lake- this stopped stock from walking around the end and allowed for fluctuations in the lake level. The fence that was here was part of Wanaka Station which is now part of residential Wanaka.

On the left is the Lone Tree in April 2014 (the one above was in April this year) and on the right, June last year. I see the same shag is still in residence too.

Enjoying the sun on Wanaka’s lakefront.

The Gypsy Fair came to town for their last gathering of the season… (click on the photo to enlarge)

They were lined up for a photo shoot just as I passed by which was very convenient of them.

Looking out over Roys Bay from the Cenotaph above the town.

While David went fishing I went hunting for autumn colours and found them right around the lake and along the Clutha River.

Although I did get distracted when I found a patch of wild flowers which included California Poppies and Queen Anne Lace with bees buzzing about.

These are honey bees, the good guys…

If you're unsure (and can pause a moment while jumping about waving your arms) check their legs; wasps (the nasty beggars) have yellow legs (amongst other things).

Autumn at Albert Town camping ground on the banks of the mighty Clutha River, just down from its outlet from Lake Wanaka.

Autumn wouldn’t be complete with out the brilliant reds of the briar rose hips which are everywhere…

… the subtle crimsons and maroons of the red oak trees.

We visited the popular and fascinating Puzzling World on a hot and busy day. And then we got lost in their maze. We actually had to use the quick (get me out of here!) exit. Which in fact was still hard to find. I felt sorry for an older lady who was wandering about looking for the same exit, she was lost too. We couldn’t help her, as even though we could see and talk to her, we didn’t know where to direct her, to get to where we were by the exit. If you have 1-2 hours spare try the maze. It frustrated the hell out of us both; we’re not ones to be contained.

Imagine visiting these loos feeling a little worse for wear.

And that was Wanaka.