24 August 2025
On a brilliantly fine morning, we set forth full of hope toward the coast and then detoured to fill the van up with diesel. After picking up the group waiting at Te Awanga we continued on in two vehicles up the access road to the golf course and, after going through the gate in the predator proof fence, turned right up the road to the aviaries .
At the rough block track we disgorged and, after admiring the stunning views of the Havelock hills backed by the Ruahine range, we set off down this very steep four wheel drive track through regenerating kanuka forest. It quickly leveled out a bit and we had great views out over the coast and cape. Turning of onto a track that led us down into the Rough Block stream we saw a kaka at the junction and continued downstream to the fence where we had lunch.
Most of the Rough Block is kanuka but in the stream bottom there are a number of older and very beautiful and interesting trees, many hung with spanish moss. After lunch we started upstream again, past many interesting geological features carved in the sides and floor of the rapidly narrowing streambed. We saw ferns and liverworts and glow worms and argued about which stream branches to take. Needless to say I was right (yeah right) and we all too soon found ourselves back at the van.
We then drove up the road to the aviary where Reiny and co were feeding the birds and had the thrill of seeing literally dozens of kaka all around us. On the way out we stopped to pull out some purple ragwort and then again to check out a car that had crashed off one of the bridges (fortunately there were no occupants in it). Many thanks to the good people at the Cape Sanctuary for providing us with access to this beautiful piece of New Zealand where quite a few of our Club members volunteer, although most of them had not been into the Rough Block before.
Party: Greg S Andrea F, Glenda H, Anne D, Paula K, Steve B, Juergen G, Nat B, Kevin C, Peter B, Minh N, Denise & Lindsay D, Janice L, Christine L, Kerny D, Robyn W, Mary C, Paul W, Julia S
