My garden favourite - goldfinch
Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) are one of my favourite garden birds. I can’t quite give a rational reason, but there is something appealing about the way they fly in urgent parabolic arcs and stuff their faces with thistledown. The colouring too seems exotic, like I can feel warm spice-laden winds and hear the clink of tea glasses at the bazaar. Christians believed their red faces were from the blood of Christ as the ‘saviour’ bird sought to pull the thorns from his head. It’s a beautiful and tragic legend about a bird that has obviously endeared itself into human history. What's your favourite wild bird (it can be endemic, native, or introduced)?
I have just four of my large A3-sized 2021 Wild birds of New Zealand calendars left for sale if anyone would like to buy one ($27 picked up from Woburn, Lower Hutt, or plus $9.60 courier), email me on louise@louisethomas.co.nz or message me if you would like one.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are 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 ⬇️
Test Your Wits! Today's Riddle Will Keep You Guessing!
Only one colour, but not one size,
Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies.
Present in the sun, but not in rain,
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.
What is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
-
82.5% Yes
-
14.9% No
-
2.6% Other - I'll share below