Date:    27/10/2019
River:    Avon River, Christchurch, NZ
River Conditions:   1.907 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1.
Weather Conditions:   Sunny and warm, nor-westerly breezes, gusting strongly at times.
Number on Trip:    2 people.
Time on River:  1.25 hours.
Comments:  No sign of Greta on Sunday morning, so we got in to our kayaking gear and took the boats down to the river. After loading Lauri’s kayak trolley into the back of her kayak, she climbed in and seal launched off the low bank, into the river. I followed and together we paddled upstream to the Stanmore Road bridge with no sign of Greta in her usual spot. A quick slalom under the bridge before heading back down the river. Strong head winds slowed the return trip and there was still no sign of Greta around the Swanns Road bridge so we continued on downstream. Shortly after passing the boat ramp, the cries of a Paradise Shelduck filled the air, as Greta flew past pursued by another female Shelduck. The second female broke of the chase and returned the way she had come, while Greta headed back to her riverside retreat.

We paddled back upstream to say hello to Greta and spend some time with her. Lauri hand fed Greta from her kayak, which was very cute to see. A large, unusual duck, which we name “The Boss”, was hanging around and he was keen to throw his weight around to get at the duck feed Lauri had scattered on the island for Greta. We spent around 40 minutes paddling around the Swanns Road bridge area, as Greta went about her duck business, before lunch beckoned and we got out at the boat ramp. Lauri decided to spend some more time with Greta, while I took the kayaks home and packed up the gear.