The Shipwreck

I was peacefully flying through the blood-red atmosphere when I spotted a shadowed figure. I decided to go in to take a closer inspection and landed softly on the rickety mask of what looked like it was on a small ship. The wood creaked with fear as if I was going to destroy its perfectly good slumber. Slowly reaching out my claw I started to poke and prod at this strange site. The crimson colour of the sun blinds me as soon as I pluck one of the many strings holding up the grazed sails. My family is waiting for me back at home I thought to myself longingly, and just like that I vanish into the dark clouds leaving the shipwreck to rest. By Nina.

The Whio

Introduction:

The Whio, which is the Maori name for the Blue Duck, is an endangered species of duck to New Zealand. Sadly it is endangered because of being hunted down and killed by many different species of introduced animals.

Physical Features:

Whio have webbed feet to help them swim gracefully through the rushing water of streams or rivers. Having an upper bill makes it easy for them to scrape off small insect larve that cling to the slipper rocks underwater. The females are 800g in weight, however the male is slightly heavier and adds up to 1kg which means it is larger and more dominant that the female. Their blue waterproof feathers molt in between May and December just like a dog sheds its hair. Scarlet red feathers cover their chest to keep them warm and the males push them out to show off to the females. 

Habitat:

The Whio is one of the 159 birds in the world that can live in fast flowing water! They like to live in rivers or streams up high in the mountains where there is very high river quality. Warm waterproof feathers make sure that they don't get cold and can get on with their life. Coming out at late evening or at the crack of dawn helps them camouflage with their navy coloured feathers. 

Diet:

Whio eat a whole range of different foods, some in water, and some out. Every now and then the Whio will get out of the water and pick off small berries off thin branches to feast on. Cicadas are another Blue Duck treat that they can find crawling around on trees or bushes. Larve and fresh water invertabre cling onto rocks underwater, just like a birthday present waiting to be opened by the Whio and slip into their mouths. 

Threats & Predators:
The Whio has lots of different threats and predators because of its small size and it is completely deffenceless. Different predators have different tactics. For example stoats, ferrats and weasals steal the Whio's eggs and take them away to eat them just like they are theives! Possums, domestic dogs and feral cats are different though because they sneak out at night, while the Whio is sleeping and attack!

Summary:
It is very sad that our beautiful Whio is nearly extinct, but happily Whio population numbers are going up slowly! An awesome fact is that Orana Park are letting 12 captive Whio let go into the wild!

By Nina.

LandForms

This is myn and Lexies two mountains and a valley, did you know that a plain is a large flat area of land. For example the Canterbury Plains.

LandForms

The Matariki Celebration

Aroha gazed up at the night sky dreamily.  She was looking for Matariki, or as you might know it, the Seven Sisters. Her finger reached out and pointed at the Maori legend. Her Grandpa patted her on the back gently then coughed twice before saying in a rusty old voice, "Well done Aroha, it is a good skill to have to be able to spot Matariki with just only your two whatu, (eyes.) Aroha felt proud of herself because in all of the 9 Matariki celebrations she has had with her family since she was born she had never been able to spot the Seven Sisters on her own before! Aroha jumped up off the lucious green grass and raced over to where her Mama and Papa were weaving different sized flax flowers and hanging them up on the tall trees surrounding her parents bach on the beach. Aroha's Grandma had heard the good news and she started walking over to the dirty blue and white bach with huge excited smile spread across her wrinkly face. "Come, the barbeque is ready," Grandma had said changing directions and walking back over to the barbeque. Aroha's parents let go of her waist and dropped her politely down on the ground so they could walk over to the feast. The family's dog, which was a Border Collie, had hear already smelt the beautiful smell of freshly cooked meat. Fern was lying down on the grass with her black and white tail wrapped around her waiting for delicious meat patties to drop down into her mouth without moving a muscle. Aroha ran over to the blooming Pohotakawa and lay down watching the fireworks burst in to bright colours right before her eyes. As Aroha dozed off to sleep she really thought that this was the best Matariki celebration ever!

By Nina