Tauhou, silvereye
It is busy in the garden with large numbers of Tui and Tauhou seeking food.
It has been bitterly cold for a week, although it has been a little warmer over the past 48 hours. So the birds are working very hard to maintain their nutrient levels and strength.
A bird does not sing because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.
Chinese Proverb
Today winter has really struck with gale force, bitterly cold south easterlies and driving rain showers. Over the past few weeks I have been tying apples to a kowhai tree to provide some winter food for the small Silvereyes or Waxeyes that live in and around the garden.
They are amazing to watch as they hang on to the apple or string and cleverly peck the soft flesh from the gap made by my apple corer. At times they virtually disappear within the apple once they have removed a good portion of the fruit.
So here are a couple of photos. Firstly of the new red delicious apple waiting to be enjoyed.
Then the hollowed out remains of the apples.
And finally for those of you who are not familiar with NZ Silvereyes here it is.
ordinarygoodness 