Three intrepid WOPpers including our leader Linda arrived at the northern end of Northwood Ave Albany to begin our walk in steady rain. So, all kitted out in our wet weather gear off we went. We followed the track on the high side of the Oteha Stream thru part of the Fernhill Escarpment. In this general area native bush is primarily Totara. Looking up about the Fernhill Escarpment this forest is of very high ecological value as some trees within the reserve likely predate Maori arrival in NZ. 

After a short way we crossed over Bush Rd & into the Burnside Escarpment.  This reserve also known as Kanuka Reserve is maintained by volunteers & amazing work has gone on to create many tracks, lots of quirky signs, painted stones & wee fairy grottos. We head up left up a track suitably called Tornado Alley & scattered thru the bush are remnants of roofing iron etc from the Albany Mega Centre blown there in the tornado on 3 May 2011 (photos attached of iron left in the ground). Saw also some in the trees & several large pieces of iron in the bush.  Apparently not being moved from the time they fell. The track twists & turns & we head further uphill out onto Pidgeonwood Lane & then back down thru a mown grassy area. From there look down towards Tawa Drive & over to the motorway. We then took a different route into the bush back up Pidgeonwood track doing a loop but this time coming lower down where we came to seating & an area with painted stones. We made a sign "we are WOPs" (see pics) plus the Alien Parachutist another quirky item. All sorts of stuff hidden up high as well as at ground level. Lots of unusual foliage, beautiful ferns uncurling & then you would see a wee painted stone hidden. Also came across creamy white fungi growing out of a tree quite stunning. Saw another tree with supple jack or similar twisted around. The track follows the stream for quite a way & other times you get great views looking down. If you are adventurous there are shortcuts down the hill to the stream & places where you can cross but today was not the day for stream bashing! 

The Oteha Stream is renowned for flash flooding & can swell to 3 times its size within minutes, we were aware of this & initially starting out the stream was up but not excessively so. By the time we had come back thru the Burnside Escarpment & onto Fernhill this time doing the track on the other side of the stream, it was a raging torrent made worse with all the runoffs from business & residential nearby. Due to the incessant rain it was difficult to get many photos but between us our pics give an idea of the day. Also heard some birdlife, mainly Kingfisher & Tui. Although only 3 of us the wet weather probably slowed us down a bit plus lots of chatting & looking at everything in the bush so we did not complete the full walk intended by Linda. After coming back thru the bush we had a quick lunch under the bridge near the Albany College & as the stream was getting higher & tracks very greasy with all the rivulets of water running down everywhere, we did a short cut back over the grassy reserve back to Northwood Reserve & called it a day. The wind was coming up by then & it was rather damp! However, a good day, saw a part of Burnside neither Joy or I had visited & it is definitely worth another visit on a drier day! 

Thanks to Linda & Joy for your company & an enjoyable few hours despite the weather!  

Colleen W.  

Click here for photos by Colleen & Joy