A warm welcome to our Alaskan godwits
Hi Neighbourly folk it is not Feathered Friend Friday but when I saw this post from Lower Hutt photographer Louise Thomas, I thought it was too good not to use.
Read what she had to say about her godwit/kuaka pictures.
"Sometimes the most extraordinary birds come in the plainest of packaging, and so it is for the bar-tailed godwit/kuaka (Limosa lapponica). Their plain packaging is of course a perfect camouflage - with variegated shades of brown echoing the ripples of mud and sand where they feed.
Seen here foraging on a mud flat at the Waikanae River estuary, they shove their long beaks into the muddy sand and pull up rubbery bits of Godwit-knows-what which they gulp with gusto – not surprising as they are probably absolutely famished.
These migratory birds begin arriving in New Zealand from early September, after an extraordinary often non-stop eight to nine-day 11,000-12,000 km flight from western Alaska.
We are also lucky enough to get the occasional bird on Petone Beach and around the Hutt Estuary, but I was thrilled to see eight in non-breeding plumage congregated on the mud at Waikanae."
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.
Moe mai rā, Nicholas.
We're sad to announce the passing of Nicholas Boyack, our Hutt Valley reporter who has long written for The Dominion Post, The Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader.
Tactile texture
Welcome texture into your room by using leftover Resene Anaglypta wallpaper to accentuate furniture and décor items. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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