Caught in the act

Yes, Mr Kereru, I can see you...

Unfortunately, for this gorgeous native wood pigeon, our plum tree is bare of fruit for the season. Not that it stopped him having a good pick on the leaves. Still, it's lovely to see them in the orchard.

Kereru and bellbirds have been plentiful amongst the fruit trees this year, particularly the latter in the apple trees. The lack of rainfall has meant that our flaxes have barely flowered, so the bellbirds have been looking to the fruit in place of the usually plentiful flax nectar.

Our orchard harvest may have suffered, but the pleasure taken from our native bird visitors more than makes up for it.