We started out the day by meeting up with a local couple, Pauline and Malcome (and their five cows), at their home just a short drive away form LU. As we pulled in, Dr. Hostetler explained that students visit the couple every year to learn about their native hedgerows and choices of other native plants in their 15-acre yard. Malcome gave us a tour of the area and explained to us that they made the decision to plant natives to make life easier, as they don't have to be trimmed as frequently as the exotic hedgerows that many others have. He also told us that just recently their neighbor decided to do the same!
Malcome showing Maddie the old mailbox he's converted into a birdfeeder for silvereye birds
Native hedgerow on the left (one way to tell it's native is that it's still green in the winter)
Once we got back to the house, the couple welcomed us in for tea time and shared with us photo albums of their yard transformation and shared stories of life in Lincoln. We all really enjoyed their company, warm wood burning stove and stories.
After saying goodbye, we headed to Travis Wetland where we learned to perform a bird transect. We saw plenty of pukekos, grey ducks, paradise shelducks, and for the first time we were able to identify fantails and silvereyes in the back part of the wetland. Dr. Hostetler also taught us how to identify the difference between a manuka and a kanuka tree--when you run a kanuka (kind) tree, it doesn't feel rough like a manuka (mean).
Rub test
Corinne, Emily and Dr. Hostetler performing a bird transect
Travis Wetlands
Group shot!
After the wetland, we had tea time and then headed to New Brighton Beach ("New" after Brighton Beach in England) where we enjoyed a little time by the water!
-Caroline
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