The large Kowhai trees across the road have begun flowering this week and the numbers of Tui circulating in the area has risen dramatically. The air is full of the sound of their calls and their wing beats.
Word has spread amongst the birds about the sugar water feeder in my garden. So food is available across the road in the Kowhais, the Banksia and the Protea and drinks are on tap here.
Yesterday in the better weather there were a lot of Tui visiting the feeder at lunch time. These two were not initially happy with seating arrangements.
But after some flapping and shuffling about peace was agreed upon and drinks were shared.
Later in the afternoon there was significant fence hopping between the larger male and the smaller female. The various songs, calls and squawks alert me to this dance and I recognise these behaviours from earlier in the year. It was not long after the fence dance then that I found the fledglings in the tall trees in the garden.
Spring and new babies are not far away for the Tui.
ordinarygoodness 
Let the fun begin!
Fun aplenty!!! This ghastly southerly does seem to have dampened spirits and not just amongst the Tui! I hope you are snug, warm and dry!
Keeping as snug as possible. My cousin is coming over from Australia soon to ski. So every time it is cold, I try to be grateful on behalf of our family skier. 🙂