Friday Feathered Friend
This week's featured bird is the oystercatcher, courtesy of Simon Woolf.
"Pretty rapt to see a clutch of oystercatcher, chicks and their parents, on Wellington's coast tonight. The adult birds were back from last year, and have three young ones in tow.
The adult bird had just caught a worm and the competition was on, as to which bird would get a feed. The bird at the back is the runt, and was also the chick that was attacked by gulls.
It was also the chick that was not in any way defended by the parent birds, while the other two birds were well cared for. You certainly know which chick is the runt, when it runs only metres away from you, after being chased by a gull, and neither of the parent birds felt the inclination to attack me!
Life is cruel for a baby oystercatcher, however if you are the runt of the clutch, life is really hard!"
scumbags
There are some really awful people around at the moment. This is what happened on Sunday.
We live in Hinemoa Street opposite the Waiwhetu Stream. At around 3.40 in the afternoon I was looking out my window and saw a car pull up and start to feed the geese and ducks out the window. Then The passenger an asian man jumped out and threw himself onto a goose. he picked it up and put it the boot of the car.
I immediately ran over and stood in front of his car to stop him moving I also called my husband to help. A lovely man was riding his bike and saw it and stopped to help me. The driver tried to drive into me but I didnt move. He tried telling us it was his pet. These are wild geese.
They had a cage in the boot and some wire all ready to catch the poor bird like they have done it before. My husband took the bird from the car and released it. I then moved out of the way and after lots of abuse from the driver they drove off threatening to come back and get more.
No one should be allowed to take these beautiful birds and certainly not like this. they are all starting to have wee babies at the moment the whole thing was so upsetting to me. Another neighbour further down the road also saw it all happen.
Please keep a look out for this car and if you see them by the stream go over and watch them lets all stop this happening.
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.
The tiger who came to tea
Trays are such a useful item to have in the home – they are obviously great for serving food and drinks, particularly breakfast in bed! Find out how to create your own with Resene wallpaper and Resene Colorwood wood stain with these easy step by step instructions.