Southshore beach takes on orange hue as tiny marine creatures wash ashore
A Christchurch beach has taken on a striking bright orange tinge after millions of tiny marine creatures washed ashore.
Resident Moreen Sackree was taking a stroll on Southshore beach in South New Brighton about 10am on Tuesday, when she came across what she believed were millions of “little krill or squat lobsters”.
“I came across an orange beach – something I've never seen [before].”
Sackree said many of the marine creatures appeared to be dead and were “quite dense” in some areas.
“I tried to put them back into the water but there was just so many there it didn't seem like it was making a difference, it was definitely a rare sight to see.”
Another beach goer, Eve Driver, said when she came across the swarm about 6pm on Tuesday, none of them were alive and many had been buried under the sand.
“The seagulls were going crazy and there was lots of red bird poo.”
Marine ecologist John Pirker, from the University of Canterbury, said the tiny creatures appeared to be gregarious squat lobster – a small crustacean that feeds on the ocean floor.
Squat lobsters generally move in large swarms along the eastern coast of the South Island.
They swam inshore to breed after completing their “larval cycle”, and settled in shallow waters – usually between October and May each year.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.9% 1st December
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17.7% A week before Christmas
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32.6% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
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