Known for its friendly ‘cheet cheet’ call and energetic flying antics, the aptly named fantail is one of the most common and widely distributed native birds on the New Zealand mainland. Fantails use their broad tails to change direction quickly while hunting for insects. They sometimes hop around upside-down amongst tree ferns and foliage to pick insects from the underside of leaves. Their main prey are moths, flies, spiders, wasps, and beetles, although they sometimes also eat fruit. They seldom feed on the ground.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/conservation/native-animals/birds/bird-song/fantail-02.mp3
Reference: Department of Conservation for Bird information
The series may be started from either Te Puke Quarry Road, or Manoeka Road. It is a 10 kilometre walk between these points, and the Department of Conservation signs advise it is likely to take 4 ½ hours from Te Puke Quarry Road to Manoeka Road via Otawa Trig. Starting from Te Puke Quarry Road reduces the climbing required significantly! Alternatively, you could start at either car park, walk to Otawa Trig and return to your vehicle. Finding most of the caches 1-5 or 5-9 will give you the co-ordinates to find the bonus cache.
Gateway #1, #2 Kereru, #3 Ruru, #4 Karearea, #5 Tauhou,
OR
#5 Tauhou, #6 Toutouwai, #7 Kiwi, #8 Piwakawaka, #9 Tui
Coordinates have been averaged over multiple visits but may not be exact due to the landscape and surrounding trees. The caches have been placed out of sight but not requiring rummaging around in leaf litter. BYOP.
If you have family collecting and/or dropping you off, they may enjoy these nearby caches:
http://coord.info/GC41PK6
http://coord.info/GC40BND
Know before you go
*Ensure you have strong, comfortable shoes, a good raincoat, warm clothing, cellphone, first aid kit, food and drink, a hat and sunscreen. Topo map strongly advised.
*Leave your tramping intentions with a responsible person, in case you get lost.
*Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle.
*Stay on the trail marked with orange triangles – if you haven’t seen a marker in 20metres, backtrack to the last one you saw.
*Hunters may be active in this area, wear high-vis clothing.
*A good GPS is required rather than a phone due to poor reception amongst trees and valleys.