Starlings
Starlings are quite beautiful when you look at them closely, especially when the light catches their dark iridescent plumage and white "stars". They have a murmuration most evenings somewhere along the river, often up by the Ewen Bridge. Although common in New Zealand, their numbers have sadly halved in the last thirty years in their native Europe where they form an important part of the ecosystem, such as controlling insects like grass grub. I snapped this guy last Friday when the weather was not so good, but he still caught a few rays of light in the top of a pōhutukawa. The other picture is from earlier in the year when a group of young starlings (you can tell they are young by the brown heads) were wheeling around over the Hikoikoi Reserve.
Poll: How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?
While it is a fun occasion, fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night has caused much conflict over the years, upsetting our pets and disrupting the sleep of neighbours.
How should we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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28% With a city-wide public fireworks display
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21.3% Small fireworks displays in each community
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7.5% Keep it as is
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31.5% We shouldn't celebrate it!
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11.2% Anything but fireworks
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0.5% Other - I'll share below
unnecessary traffic management marine drive eastern bays near Sorrento bay
was gob smacked to see traffic management in place marine drive near Sorrento Bay Eastbourne, Traffic lights in place being managed manually by people in vehicles. and why - well because there were cones across one lane. there were no road works in progress no machinery on road. How many thousands of dollars is this costing the rate payers? Why is this allowed to happen? this looks to be a 24-hour operation doesn't anybody care besides me! Does Eastbourne have councillor if so can someone please advise me they need to say something about this ridiculous situation
Winner winner!
Congratulations to the winners of our $100 Mitre10 vouchers:
Justine Terrill from Mount Albert
Suzette Gibson from Nelson
Soumya Manoj from Lower Hutt
Millie George from Richmond Hill
If you're a winner, get in touch here.
Not a winner this week? There's always next week!