Karori Cemetery is a wonderful "hospitality centre" for native birds who browse throughout the year as the cycle of food sources works its way through the seasons. Mid-winter food sources become a bit scarce, but the Banksia come into bloom and the tui and kereru are able to feast.
Banksia is a type of protea, and the ones in Karori cemetery have spikey flower heads which are clearly drenched in nectar. Tui lurch from tree to tree and I suspect are at times slightly drunk from their feasting. One morning in August I watched two kereru at the top of a tree making a terrific racket as they flapped around. Sometimes I avoid walking through the Banksia grove as I fear darting tui will fly straight into me - they are very lively and seem determined to get from one tree to another in the quickest time possible. They are also very busy chasing away other tui from sharing the bounty.
Both tui and kereru are rather noisy - the tui is a terrific songster, and the kereru is a large heavy bird which makes a distinctive noise when in flight. Both have stunning plumage and they can be observed at close quarters in the Cemetery where there are significant populations of both.
The main Banksia grove is in the second Anglican section to open in the cemetery, planted along the rows where many people who died in the 1918 influenza epidemic were buried. I walk through this grove most mornings, and always talk about it to those walking with me. So, put on your walking shoes and come along one day and hear about these interesting features, and so many others too.
Contact me on karoricemeterywalk@gmail.com ,and see my website
www.karoricemeterytour.weebly.com
for more information about touring the Cemetery.
Banksia is a type of protea, and the ones in Karori cemetery have spikey flower heads which are clearly drenched in nectar. Tui lurch from tree to tree and I suspect are at times slightly drunk from their feasting. One morning in August I watched two kereru at the top of a tree making a terrific racket as they flapped around. Sometimes I avoid walking through the Banksia grove as I fear darting tui will fly straight into me - they are very lively and seem determined to get from one tree to another in the quickest time possible. They are also very busy chasing away other tui from sharing the bounty.
Both tui and kereru are rather noisy - the tui is a terrific songster, and the kereru is a large heavy bird which makes a distinctive noise when in flight. Both have stunning plumage and they can be observed at close quarters in the Cemetery where there are significant populations of both.
The main Banksia grove is in the second Anglican section to open in the cemetery, planted along the rows where many people who died in the 1918 influenza epidemic were buried. I walk through this grove most mornings, and always talk about it to those walking with me. So, put on your walking shoes and come along one day and hear about these interesting features, and so many others too.
Contact me on karoricemeterywalk@gmail.com ,and see my website
www.karoricemeterytour.weebly.com
for more information about touring the Cemetery.
