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June 2008
On Wednesday the 4th of June Sparky and I set off heading for
Wellington for the World Environment Day, this trip was the first
time Sparky had flown and it was the first time World Environment
Day had been held in New Zealand. Our first part of the trip was a
stop at Eagle Air Office in Hamilton for 3 hours so Sparky could
meet our friends who have supported our Centre for many years. We
then continued to Wellington Airport, we stayed at the Museum Hotel
just across the road from Te papa, thanks to Kathy Tipler and her
Team for their support, Sparky and I stayed in a Studio Suite, a
magnificent room with a great view.
At 6.45am the next morning I took Sparky across the road to a patch
of grass, it was only 5 degs not like we get in Whangarei, it was
funny watching early morning runners stop and come over to look at
Sparky, it was great to be able to say we came from Whangarei.
While waiting to go to the Function I had a chance to listen to
Achim Steiner (UNEP) executive director talking with the Media plus
other speakers.
At 11.45 I was invited onto the stage to show Sparky, he was an
instant success with the world Media, many photos were taken with
the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, Achim Steiner and Michael Walleneit
who is the Bayer Deputy Senior Country rep for Australia and New
Zealand they made us very welcome and I found it a real pleasure
talking with them, it was the first time they had seen a real Kiwi
and they all felt Sparky had made the day.
The other good part was sharing Sparky with all the Children from
many other Countries and some of the Local Schools that were also
invited. I would like to thank William Malpass from Bayer New
Zealand Ltd who are our Sponsors for the invitation to the First
time New Zealand had been the Host for the World Environment Day. We
were proud to tell everyone we came from Whangarei; at least it’s a
lot warmer up here.
When I take Sparky away I weigh him before I go and after we have
returned, his weight was unchanged and he ate his meal the night we
came home, the trip had no effect on him. This trip also brought
back fond memories of our old friend Snoopy the kiwi, especially as
we get closer to 20th June, the first anniversary of his death.
We have just had our permit for Sparky renewed, on a sad note we are
no longer allowed to show Sparky at the Centre to visitors so we
will be going around to visit groups like Schools, Conservation
Groups and the odd field day.
With fuel costs going sky high we are being forced to pick more
Birds up, our first duty at the Centre is the Birds so if you call
at the Centre and no one is around we will be picking up Birds but
will not be far away. It is not a case of sleeping in and get to the
Centre when we feel like it, as some people would like you to think.
As far as showing a Bird that is recovering at the Centre we only
show the Birds that we know will not get upset or do them any harm,
this is a very important part of Conservation Education and a way to
share some of the Birds with the Public.
Robert & Robyn Webb |
Other Issues:
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006 |
