THE WETLANDS AT OKOROMAI BAY

An afternoon walk via the end of my street and I am in Shakespear Regional Park. The fenced off area of the park which includes Te Haruhi Bay and the Bush Walk have been closed due to a pest eradication programme started in July of this year but is due to reopen to the public on the 1st of December 2011. Only 3 weeks to go!

That will be fantastic!

In the meantime we have been able to access the rest of the park, and the wetlands are included in this. They are situated between Okoromai Bay and Army Bay.

On this day I managed to see at least 4 White Faced Heron, numerous Pukeko, Pied Eyed Stilt,Mallard Ducks, Tui and various other birds including Black Swans in the waters of Okoromai

Bay.

OKOROMAI BAY - FROM KITE SURFING TO BIRD WATCHING

Looking out from my deck this week I noticed some parachutes over Okoromai Bay. On further investigation realised it was people on surfboards using parachutes to speed them along. I can just imagine the exhilaration they must have felt.

Later that day I headed down to the end of our street to walk along the cliff top path that winds its way behind the houses to come out near the Gulf Harbour Country Club http://www.gulfharbourcountryclub.co.nz/.

I took a photo looking back into the Bay. From this direction you can see across the causeway to Army Bay and in the distance Little Barrier Island http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/auckland/hauraki-gulf-islands/little-barrier-island-nature-reserve-hauturu-o-toi/

By the time I had wound my way back home it was time to prepare dinner. A few days later I took myself into the WETLANDS to see what I could see.....but that is another story! Keep me on your watchlist!!!!

A Day at Auckland's Newest Playground

Wynyard Wharf and surrounding piers are just a 50 minute ferry ride from Okoromai Bay Bed & Breakfast. As you can see from the photographs the day was stunning with blue sky and the Waitemata Harbour (sparkling waters) put on a special show for us, what more could anyone want.

There is entertainment and plenty of places to eat. A wonderful place to walk, ride a bike, push a pram or even take a tram! Yes they have bought back an iconic part of Auckland's history by bringing back the trams to downtown on the pier.

http://www.waterfrontauckland.co.nz/Areas/Wynyard-Quarter.aspx

KERERU (WOOD PIGEON) VISITS OUR GARDEN

ANOTHER DAY AT OKOROMAI BAY BED & BREAKFAST

Peter came home the other morning after doing some shopping and coaxed me outside onto the driveway. Sitting in the Kowhai tree (Sophora) that he has just driven the car under is a Kereru (Wood Pigeon) eating the new shoots. It is within easy reach. I rush in and get my camera and begin taking numerous shots. Moving up to it and standing below the tree, the Kereru; nonplussed continued to eat. On this occassion he stays for at least 20 minutes. It is such a thrill to see it so close to the house with its gorgeous big white belly and green red, plumage. It has returned several times since. When our neighbour's Loquat tree is in fruit, in the summer, this is another delicacy that entices the birds to visit.

RUGBY WORLD CUP PLAYERS COMING TO GULF HARBOUR

Several teams who will play in the Rugby World Cup in September/October of this year will be staying in Gulf Harbour and practicing at the Silverdale Rugby Club grounds. The three teams that are involved are Japan, Samoa and Namibia. We at Okoromai Bay Bed and Breakfast in Gulf Harbour welcome supporters of the visiting teams. Book now as our rates are the same as always.

In the pool matches Japan versus France on 10 September, Namibia versus South Africa on 22 September and Samoa versus South Africa on 30 September. These games will be played at North Harbour Stadium.

On Tuesday the 26 July the Rugby World Cup Roadshow will be in Orewa The custom designed truck houses the Webb Ellis Cup and features interactive displays and videos of the history and the legends of the Cup. The local radio station and retailers and others will be involved in making this a fun time for all. For more information visit www.rugbyworldcup.com/roadshow and www.nz2011.govt.nz/get-involved

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE- Shakespear Regional Park

As I look out my window from Okoromai Bay Bed and Breakfast, the sun is shining on the park. The green of the grass after the rain, the blue sky, with clouds drifting by, the birds flying overhead, makes for the perfect picture.

Today I am meeting other like minded people to give back to our environment. A planting day at Shakespear Regional Park has been scheduled, my first committment to such a worthy cause.

The area that we will be planting grasses in, is amongst other things a habitat for skinks such as the Moko (pictured above).

Later that day...

The day went well with a good group of people of all ages participating, some digging, some collecting the black plastic planting bags as they were discarded and some handing out the fertiliser pellets. A team effort saw between 400 and 500 trees and grasses planted over a 2 hour period. The rangers and organisers put on a barbecue and hot drinks for all the workers to thank them for their efforts.

You can learn more about the work being done at the park by visiting the following sites. www.sossi.org.nz/ and www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/regionalparks

Postscript.. A temporary home for the Peacocks has been found.

Peacocks at Te Haruhi Bay , Shakespear Regional Park

One of the great things about living in this beautiful part of the country is having access to Shakespear Regional Park.

At Okoromai Bay Bed and Breakfast you can be walking in the park in less than 10 minutes.

At the moment of writing this a large section of the park is undergoing a huge transformation as a predator free fence has been installed closing in all but Army Bay and Okoromai Bay. The intention is to begin a aerial pest eradication programme and that part of the park which surrounds Te Haruhi Bay will be closed from the 1 July 2011 to allow this to happen.

In the meantime temporary accommodation is being sought for the peacocks and peahens (approximately 25 in total) until the area is safe for them to be returned.

You can learn more about what is happening by linking into Hibiscus Matters and Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society at www.localmatters.co.nz/Environment/Think+Global+-+April2011/Peacocks and http://www.sossi.org.nz/

Focus: Lets play GOLF

Located within walking distance of Okoromai Bay Bed and Breakfast are two golf courses. The first is Whangaparaoa Golf Club, http://www.wgcgolf.net/ which was established in 1959 and is described as "a regular golfer" course. It is an 18 hole course with par three through par five holes, the longest is 474 metres. The other is at the Gulf Harbour Country Club, http://www.gulfharbourcountryclub.co.nz/ The course was the venue for the World Cup of Golf in 1998 and was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. It is a 6,400 metre, par 72 golf course. It has 4 sets of tees which assures that it meets the requirements of any golfers playability. It is a fabulous setting from start to finish. A 'must do' if you visit this area.

Focus on ARMY BAY - Shakespear Regional Park

Okoromai Bay Bed & Breakfast.

Peter went swimming this morning at Army Bay, he has had a rather stressful time at work this week and his comments on entering the house this morning were "The water was crystal clear, I was the only one swimming, it was so serene it felt spiritual, I now feel refreshed!" Army Bay is directly behind Okoromai Bay on the opposite side of the peninsular, it is a great place to swim and have picnics and is the first Bay you come to as you enter Shakespeare Regional Park at the end of Whangaparaoa Road. Another option is to walk across the park from Okoromai Bay you can make your way through wetlands, which is a great place to find birds nesting.

Focus on Tiri Tiri Matangi Island

Tiritiri Matangi Island is located about four kilometres off the coast of Auckland's Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

Around 15 years ago Tiritiri Matangi Island, a 220 hectare island was largely barren farmland. In a unique partnership between the Government and conservationists from Auckland, it was designated an open sanctuary, cleared of predators and planted in over three million native trees. Administered by the Department of Conservation, Tiritiri Matangi Island is one of the most successful conservation projects in the world.
Tiritiri Matangi Island provides an opportunity to visit a genuine open wildlife sanctuary featuring many species of endangered New Zealand bird life, including the kiwi, takahe, kokako and saddleback/tieke.
Daily ferries take visitors to the island. On the island you will find a Visitors Centre with displays on the Tiritiri Matangi Island's history and biodiversity, and includes a popular children's learning area. A shop selling cold drinks and quality gifts is also on the island.

A network of tracks to enable visitors to explore the bush, cliff top views and beaches. Guided tours are available to enjoy this very special island.
Hobbs Beach on the western side of Tiritiri Matangi Island is ideal for swimming and snorkelling.