On Tuesday and Wednesday of Week 8, the Year 3 and 4s went to Rotokare Scenic Reserve. We have been learning about pests and trapping, and we went to Rotokare to learn more about these things.
It was a one-hour trip to get there, and it was very loud on the bus because everyone was excited. We met Cassie, the educator, at the fence and learnt about the mesh, the hood, and how the fence goes underground. Next, we had morning tea before going into our groups.
One group did rotations in the classroom area, and the other group went on a bush walk. Halfway through the day, we swapped over.
In the rotations session, we started inside and learnt more about the scenic reserve. We got to touch the taxidermy animals, which gave us the heebie-jeebies! In the outdoor classroom, we got to do a 5-minute bird count, a “Find the Villain” station, a “Find the Nest” station where someone could hide under a camouflage net, and a station where we had to work out the tracking tunnel footprints.
The other group went on an exciting bush walk. We saw some black robins and saddlebacks, which we don’t get to see in Bell Block. The saddlebacks were a bit shy, but the robins came right up to our feet. There was a pontoon that floated on the water, and we stood on it. We looked over and saw eels! We also saw some traps, including some old-fashioned ones, a bird graveyard, a bridge with names carved on it, and the place where geckos get released.
On Wednesday, we got to see a very special bird release. Fourteen pāteke ducks were brought up from Christchurch to make Rotokare their new home. These ducks are very endangered!
We had such a great time at Rotokare, and we recommend that everyone should visit with their families.
You can check out our photos from the day here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QWBZ7nGpV1t1ZzRm7
Written by Macy, Mila H, Rosie and Kyran – Room 6
