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A wooden box (trap) with label next to a tree stump in the grass.

Keeping predators at bay

Pukeatua farmstay has 12 traps spread around the buildings and the paddocks. Every 2nd day they need checking for any caught rats or hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs

Yes, hedgehogs are considered a pest in New Zealand despite their cute face. But their teeth are less cute and eat up native birds and eggs.

Mynas

A brown bird (myna) in a mechanical trap
Myna in trap

Last week we had the strangest catch in one of the traps: A Mynah, also considered a pest, especially in Auckland where their population has exploded. Normally we have a PG Mynar trap for those. This one was unexpected in a rat trap.

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Car boot full of feed bags

Saturday morning shopping

The other type of grocery shopping.
Closeup of some flowers

Spring has arrived – with its usual mixed bag weather.

“If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes.” Spring came with beautiful warm and sunny days, storm, hail, rain and sunshine in between. It was cold and a few hours later warm again and vice versa.
Cows steaming in the cold air against the sunlight

Winter done and dusted

There was nothing extraordinary to write about this winter, really. It’s not been too wet and not too dry, neither too cold or too warm. We had a few frosty nights and a few pretty rainy days but all in all it was reasonably warm and okay from a mud perspective.

Sunshine, rain and lots of grass

The sun has been more prevalent and the odd shower has helped all plants to grow a lot. It’s nice to see so much fresh green in various shades
sunrays through pinetrees with a glimpse of blue sky through the trees

Springtime is here

The weather is getting warmer, and the days are stretching out longer, giving us more daylight to enjoy. The rain is slowly becoming less frequent, making way for sunnier skies.
View into the valley with lots of fog on the ground, only hills and trees sticking out.

Frosty Days

The days have become short and cold, with some frosty mornings. Luckily, so far winter has not been as wet as last years.