The air is full of Tuis here at the moment.
Tui on flax
They are thronging to the neighbour’s kowhai trees which are dripping with flowers full of nectar.
Tui feeding upside down in a kowhai tree
As I posted here they are enjoying a bath in our spouting before or after feasting on the kowhai nectar.
They like to preen and dry their feathers in the Griselinia trees in our garden before flying away.
Griselinia littoralis “variegata”
However this week I have noticed a lot of activity within the trees with Tuis hopping about the branches and appearing to nibble at some part of the tree.
Here is what they are enjoying.
Griselinia flowers
These are the flowers of the Griselinia and are another favourite food for Tuis. I’m guessing these dainty delicacies are dessert after the main course of kowhai nectar. The tree is covered in these tiny flowers.
As my blogger friend Gallivanta commented on Monday’s post we really are offering a bird resort here in the garden. There’s pleasant satisfaction in that.
ordinarygoodness 
For a moment I wondered if the flowers had a fragrance and the birds were ‘dusting’ themselves with it during their preening! It does seem more likely that the flowers are a type of after dinner mint for the Tuis. Thanks for the mention 🙂
Either an after dinner mint or an entree. I could not discern a fragrance and the tree is too tall for me to put my head in amongst the branches:-)
I saw this, this morning, in our newspaper. Your blog posts about the Tui would qualify as some sort of pledge, do you think? http://blog.doc.govt.nz/2013/08/29/win-a-trip-to-great-barrier/
Thanks I will have a look at that.
Lovely photos and interesting information – such a brilliant idea to combine them as you have.
Thank you . I ‘m glad you enjoyed my post and had time to leave a comment.
You’re probably ranked no.1 on the Tuis’ TripAdvisor!
Lol! A Tui Tourist destination:-)) Love it, Jo.
lovely shots
Thank you. The photos help weave the words.
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/9141321/Plant-natives-to-entice-tui-closer-to-Chch This was in our paper today. I didn’t know we were so lacking in tui birds. There are kowhai trees around but obviously not enough.
I think Ruth, from Ruth’s Reflections, had mentioned to me in a comment on my blog, that Christchurch had Keruru but not many Tui. I hope they populate your town soon. I have listened all day to contented Tui gurglings from the nearby Kowhai trees:-)
Yes, kereru and fantails we have but, at least, I now know that I am not failing to see them; they just aren’t here to see!
They are a delight to have. I have my ears up listening for the first Shining Cuckoo. Someone is wanting data on these tricksters…must find the link again. The forecast howling gales might stop me hearing much today:-(
Yes, hold on to your hat!!!!
It is windy Wellington today for sure.
Reducing predators and the local bird sanctuaries have meant success here with the Tui population. And people have planted Tui friendly food.
I planted a kowhai but it died on me 😦
That is sad. I wonder if it is too hot in Christchurch for them to thrive. They like to grow where their roots can access water and of course they grow naturally amidst other native trees to nurture them. We ask a lot of them in our suburban gardens.
I think I didn’t put it in the right spot. And I think you are right that it would have done better in the company of other native trees. At the time it was surrounded by camelias.
Hmmm we have several kowhais of varying size/genus? which have either been planted or self sown which reside happily with camellias and other acid loving plants.
Losing a tree/plant can simply be part of the mystery of gardening.
Tuis love flax flowers if that is of any help?
Sadly, I don’t think I have room for a flax plant. I have to get to the garden centre soon, so perhaps they will have some suggestions re something that would be the right size for my garden.
Flaxes are best out in the wild I think. They become enormous in many cases. I hope you can find something Tui friendly that works in your garden.
How could I forget the Bottlebrush shrubs- the Tuis and Wax eyes adore the flowers. Perhaps that might work in your garden? Banksias are another option.
Gosh, the possibilities are many. What I really need is some “get up and go” to activate me. Pity that is not sold at the garden centre 😉
I know that feeling all too well. “My get up and go has got up and went” 😉
Yes Yes Yes 😀
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Reblogged this on Tuis in my garden and commented:
Sept 4th 2013