Shags - little, little black, pied, and black
Did you know we have four species of shags regularly in Lower Hutt. The little shags are the most common, but every now and then I see the little black, larger pied shag or the black shag. The little shags are nesting at the moment around in Days Bay. You can see little shag babies poking their heads out of the nests built in trees overhanging the pond at the Pavilion. So lovely, but if you do go around the back of the pond to get a closer look watch out for falling bird poop - because when they go, they really go. I'm sure some of the shag parents were trying to hit me deliberately when I was there last weekend. This is a photo of a large black shag at the Hutt Estuary/river mouth.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.5% Yes
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14.1% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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.
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.