Science Outside the Square

On our lifestyle block we have had a lot of pleasure over the last 6 weeks watching a group of kaka cavort in the tall eucalyptus trees. They come at dawn and dusk, spending one to two hours feeding, playing and screeching loudly. Over the last ten days there have been fewer of them, and I expect they will disappear back to their home again soon, (wherever that is), just like they did the last time they came to visit, almost exactly five years ago.

If you do see one of these endangered native parrots, please notify kakawatch on kakawatchnz@gmail.com or by texting 021 271 2527. They want to know the date, time and location of the sighting, what the birds are doing, the species of trees they are seen in, how long they spent there, and the direction they came from and where they flew off to.

Below is a movie clip showing a cheeky kaka at the wildlife sanctuary on Kapiti Island .

Tags: Just for Fun by hjohnson
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Read about what they have observed by clicking on this link to the UK’s “Telegraph” newspaper.

Tags: Just for Fun by hjohnson
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This University of Nottingham version of the Periodic Table has a short video about each and every element. These videos are really well done and include things we could never show you at school. Click here to check the site out.

Tags: Just for Fun, Websites by hjohnson
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A number of you had seen something on Youtube about how you can pop a corn kernel by pointing several mobile phones at it and ringing into them simultaneously. This is what it looks like.

Yes we have tried it… No, not does not work…. Yes, it is a total hoax. According to this movie, which showed how they carried the hoax out, if this were possible every time you used your cellphone you’d be cooking your ears off.

Well maybe you are, but don’t kid yourself that you can make popcorn with your cellphone…. And if you can, maybe it’s time to get a new cellphone and give your poor ears a break…

Tags: How it Works, Just for Fun by hjohnson
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The other day I showed a number of you the amazing antics of a suspension of minute iron particles called ferrofluid. For those who missed it, or those who’d like to see it again, here is a short videoclip. By the way, I can now tell you that the iron particles are just 10 nanometres in size.

Tags: How it Works, Just for Fun by hjohnson
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This site features a wealth of fun interactive brainteaser activities designed to make you think. You can choose different levels of difficulty. Follow this link and enjoy!

Tags: Cool Activities, Brainteasers by hjohnson
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I have always loved hedgehogs. In the old days we used to feed them bread and milk - not a good idea, as we now know - jellimeat suits their dietary requirements much better. After all, they are grub eating carnivores.

Last weekend I came across a wonderful book in the Katikati Library - all about hedgehogs. I’ve been keen to know more about them for a while now, as for the last three years we have had a female hedgehog nest under our deck each Spring to rear her young. Last year we were lucky enough to observe her carry her hoglets into the wild by biting them by the scruff of their neck. Apparently hedgehogs can bring up seven or so little hoglets, although we have only seen two at most at a time.

There are lots of myths about hedgehogs - like how flea ridden they are. Did you know that the hedgehogs in New Zealand don’t suffer from the “hedgehog flea” - when the early settlers brought the first few out they presumably ensured they were flea free.

Did you know there are no hedgehogs in North America - apart from the poor little guys they keep in cages?

There is a hedgehog hospital and refuge that has been going since the mid 1980s - its called St Tiggywinkles . The animal nuts amongst you might like to follow this link and see what they do.

From all of you, I’d value some observations of what hedgehogs do around where you live. Post a comment.

Tags: Just for Fun by hjohnson
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