Friday Feathered Friend
It has been a while since I posted a Friday Feathered Friend. This week it is a contribution from Louise Thomas.
"This is not the best photo of a variable oystercatcher - it's not even the best photo I took that day, but it is interesting. I noticed he/she was tagged - meet CT7. I snapped him/her in the Hutt Estuary on 12 January and sent a report off to the Banding Office as you do and got back a very interesting report about the bird.
He/she was banded on Bell Island, Waimea Inlet, Tasman on 28/05/2022 in his/her 2nd year. Sex is unknown. CT7 is a busy chap, since banding this bird has been re-sighted at Saxton Field, Stoke, Nelson on 28/06/2022 and 19/07/2022. This bird is part of a research study on the morphometrics, population trends, longevity and movements of variable oystercatchers in the Golden/Tasman Bays region.
So, if you see CT7 don't forget to report him/her to the banding office.
Variable oystercatcher/ tōrea (Haematopus unicolor). Bird #14 in 2023.
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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Warnings about scams
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.
Here’s what to watch out for:
🔍 Unrealistic offers or promises of easy money that are too good to be true
🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
🔍 Requests for personal info: Be cautious if you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or sensitive information.
🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
✅ Don't click on any links until you know that it is safe.
✅ Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official channels.
✅ If something’s not right, it's OK to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.
If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.