Flitting Fantails (Wanganui Area) Birding J Traditional Cache
mjmnz: Have archived this cache .
Flitting Fantails (Wanganui Area) Birding J
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Size: 
(micro)
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An interesting drive up the Whanganui River Road towards Pipiriki. Stop off and find the cache after a short stroll through native bush with fantails flitting all around
This is another in the series of birding where you may see the fantail in natural surroundings.
Fantail or Piwakiwaki
The fantail, exactly as described has a tail that fans out. You will often see these birds as you walk through bush areas, as it flits around you to catch the bugs you disturb.
Known for its friendly 'cheet cheet' call and energetic flying antics, the aptly named fantail is one of the most common and widely distributed native birds on the New Zealand mainland.
It is easily recognized by its long tail which opens to a fan. It has a small head and bill and has two colour forms, pied and black. The pied birds are grey-brown with white and black bands.
The fantail is one of the few native bird species in New Zealand that has been able to adapt to an environment greatly altered by humans. Originally a bird of open native forests and scrub, it is now also found in exotic plantation forests, in orchards and in gardens. At times, fantails may appear far from any large stands of shrubs or trees, and it has an altitudinal range that extends from sea level to the snow line.
Fantails use three methods to catch insects. The first, called hawking, is used where vegetation is open and the birds can see for long distances. Fantails use a perch to spot swarms of insects and then fly at the prey, snapping several insects at a time.
The second method that fantails use in dense vegetation is called flushing. The fantail flies around to disturb insects, flushing them out before eating them.
Feeding associations are the third way fantails find food. Every tramper is familiar with this method, where the fantail follows another bird or animal to capture insects disturbed by their movements. Fantails frequently follow feeding silvereyes, whiteheads, parakeets and saddlebacks, as well as people.
Directions from Wanganui. Cross over the Dublin Street bridge and travel up State Highway 4 towards Raetihi. There is an information board 13.6 km from Wanganui. Turn left and travel up the River Road towards Pipiriki. There are no shops or petrol until you reach Raetihi. The Bridge is about 13 km from the turn off from SH4. Parking is next to the bridge across the Whauteihi Stream. We drove across the bridge to a spot where we could pull off this narrow winding road. We then walked back towards Wanganui crossing the bridge and entering the bush on a path to the left below a pine plantation. The path is muddy but relatively flat but boots or sturdy shoes are recommended.
The cache is hidden a short way along the path in a copse of trees. The cache is a film canister in a small protective bag. It has a few small items for exchange and a strip log. No room for a travel bug. You will need to take a pen or pencil with you. Please cover carefully
Please cover carefully after filling in the log.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Abg ba gur tebhaq