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At the moment there are banded dotterels to be seen on our beaches. They are quite hard to spot so you have to get your eye in - check along the strip behind the Settlers Museum. It is important not to disturb the nesting sites around Eastbourne and Wainuiomata - these are roped off, and definitely… View moreAt the moment there are banded dotterels to be seen on our beaches. They are quite hard to spot so you have to get your eye in - check along the strip behind the Settlers Museum. It is important not to disturb the nesting sites around Eastbourne and Wainuiomata - these are roped off, and definitely please keep your dog on a lead in the middle section of Petone Beach (as all the signage where the dotterels like to hang out says!). Not going inside the roped off areas at nesting sites is really important - the chicks and eggs are so well camouflaged that it would be easy to step on a nest before you realised it was there. Unfortunately these little guys haven't had a lot of luck with their nesting with successive generations being wiped out by predators (usually domestic cats, but sometimes hedgehogs and rats in the Hutt), they are now listed as Nationally vulnerable and their numbers are declining. I'd hate to see them go extinct, which could happen in my lifetime if we don't take better care around their nesting sites. You might notice that some of the birds that turn up on Petone Beach have little tags on them - this is so researchers can track their movements and know which birds are successfully breeding. It's how we know that some of these little guys like to go spend the New Zealand winter in places like New Caledonia. The nest photo is taken when I was helping the Mainland Island Restoration Operation (MIRO) with their monitoring programme, but the rest were taken on Petone Beach just yesterday - they don't nest there fortunately, they just come around to Petone to feed.
This is an Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius), one of three or four that like to hang out in Ludlam Park and sometimes my garden if the tui are feeling beneficent. You can see they are quite different to the kākāriki, who are mostly all green with a bit of red Viking war paint on the face. … View moreThis is an Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius), one of three or four that like to hang out in Ludlam Park and sometimes my garden if the tui are feeling beneficent. You can see they are quite different to the kākāriki, who are mostly all green with a bit of red Viking war paint on the face. This guy has the whole traffic-light Popsicle with white walrus moustache wrapped in a blue/black/yellow package going on.
Is your garden messy, overgrown or just in need of a cleanup? We’ve got general garden maintenance for that. How about ugly banks? A slope in your garden that keeps slipping? We’ve got retaining walls for that!
Price Smart will take any ideas you have for your garden and help bring them from … View moreIs your garden messy, overgrown or just in need of a cleanup? We’ve got general garden maintenance for that. How about ugly banks? A slope in your garden that keeps slipping? We’ve got retaining walls for that!
Price Smart will take any ideas you have for your garden and help bring them from design to reality.
For a reasonable estimate, give us a call at 027 548 9818 Or visit www.pricesmart.co.nz....
Why not treat yourself to a bloke’s day out for a grooming WOF? Just be wary of the barbershop – between the bay rum oil, hot towels, banter, and leather chairs, you won’t want to leave!
Bevis, a resident at Ryman’s Anthony Wilding Village, recently received a gentleman’s makeover. The… View moreWhy not treat yourself to a bloke’s day out for a grooming WOF? Just be wary of the barbershop – between the bay rum oil, hot towels, banter, and leather chairs, you won’t want to leave!
Bevis, a resident at Ryman’s Anthony Wilding Village, recently received a gentleman’s makeover. The day began at the barbershop where Bevis and his barber Kohl shared plenty of laughs. Next up, a personal stylist helped Bevis select clothes he looked and felt great in. Being pampered isn’t the norm for Bevis but based on his smile, we’re confident he loved every minute.
Double mattress from smoke free, pet free home. A few small scuffs and marks. Firm to medium. Tattersfield Posture Perfect Collection. $60 Fairfield.
On Monday there were three, and today there are four red knots (Calidris canutus), aka lesser knots or huahou, on Petone Beach. A completely new species for me. Has anyone ever seen them on Petone Beach before this week? I certainly haven't. I read that they have come all the way from Russia … View moreOn Monday there were three, and today there are four red knots (Calidris canutus), aka lesser knots or huahou, on Petone Beach. A completely new species for me. Has anyone ever seen them on Petone Beach before this week? I certainly haven't. I read that they have come all the way from Russia or the New Siberian Islands! Privet moi tovarishchi (Welcome my comrades).
In this week’s issue we invite you to Hawke's Bay’s Wildflower Sculpture Festival. It’s also time to harvest broad beans, sow carrots, protect your strawberries from birds, water seedlings gently, and get lawns ready for summer.
Check out our courgette variety guide and growing tips … View moreIn this week’s issue we invite you to Hawke's Bay’s Wildflower Sculpture Festival. It’s also time to harvest broad beans, sow carrots, protect your strawberries from birds, water seedlings gently, and get lawns ready for summer.
Check out our courgette variety guide and growing tips plus go in the draw for spring vege packs from Tui and ‘Blue Star’ ferns from Gellert’s.
Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:
Brighten up an old piece of furniture with fresh colours to suit your new colour scheme. Add an intriguing design on the inside of the drawers for a bonus surprise when you open them.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how you to update … View moreBrighten up an old piece of furniture with fresh colours to suit your new colour scheme. Add an intriguing design on the inside of the drawers for a bonus surprise when you open them.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how you to update your furniture
From a dog’s point of view, blinds are just an obstacle keeping them from the window. When there’s a something outside, the blinds just become a casualty of the resulting frenzy to get out there. Keep blinds raised part-way to allow your pup to see out and avoid wreckage. Avoid this issue by … View moreFrom a dog’s point of view, blinds are just an obstacle keeping them from the window. When there’s a something outside, the blinds just become a casualty of the resulting frenzy to get out there. Keep blinds raised part-way to allow your pup to see out and avoid wreckage. Avoid this issue by teaching your dog to stay calm in exciting situations.
Many dogs, especially as puppies, will chew on anything in sight. If your blinds have become your pets teething stick, it’s because he doesn’t have anything else to chew on. Deter dogs from gnawing on blinds by spraying slats with sour apple spray (available at pet stores). It smells and tastes terrible to dogs but is neutral to humans.
When you’re away from home, keep your dog in a safe room and give them special toys that are otherwise hidden away. Treat-filled toys and meat flavoured bones are especially appealing. With these toys to keep them preoccupied, they won’t think twice about the blinds.
Dogs can be like children; they have a lot of energy and it will find a way out whether you provide it or not. With this in mind, give your dog an opportunity to tire themselves out and your home might not become a race track.
What are the pet-friendliest window dressings?
Try vertical blinds. Furry friends can nudge slats out of the way to see out the window and they’ll fall back into place afterwards. If pets chew on blind slats, you can order individual replacements instead of getting a whole new set. If pet hair and grime are a problem, just wipe them clean with soap and water.
Venetian blinds have wide enough openings between slats for curious pets who just want to see out. But if you have a dog with a chewing problem, slats can be vulnerable to damage.
Roller shades are good window treatments for peeking pets. Animals can easily slip behind without damaging the shade and they’re easy to clean.
Try to avoid:
- Venetian Blinds - Bent slats. Enough said.
- Mini Venetian Blinds - Pets won’t be able to see through and will paw at slats.
- Puddled Drapes - When drapes drag on the floor it’s hard to keep them clean and free from pet hair
My dog broke my blinds, my curtains are ripped. Now what?
Don’t worry - paying full price for a replacement blind isn’t your only option. Curtain Clean not only specialises in cleaning your window treatments, but we can repair damage done by your beloved pet pals.
From replacing broken head tape to re-oiling wooden venetians, Curtain Clean are industry experts in restoring curtains and blinds for a fraction of the replacement cost. Bring your window dressings in for clean & repair today.
www.curtainclean.co.nz...
After the death of her husband in 1855, Mary Jane Bennett kept the light burning at Pencarrow Lighthouse, on top of caring for five children with another on the way. She was the first keeper of a permanent lighthouse, and the only woman to ever hold this position in Aotearoa.
Join Heritage New … View moreAfter the death of her husband in 1855, Mary Jane Bennett kept the light burning at Pencarrow Lighthouse, on top of caring for five children with another on the way. She was the first keeper of a permanent lighthouse, and the only woman to ever hold this position in Aotearoa.
Join Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga at 12:30pm on Saturday 31 October, at the Eastbourne Library, for a talk on this remarkable woman, presented by Nik Bullard (History Communicator, Wellington Museum). Following the talk, you’ve got the option of hopping on a bike and cycling out to see Pencarrow Lighthouse itself.
You’ll need to bring your own bike or hire a bike/eBike to pick up at Eastbourne Library following the talk.
Numbers are limited for the talk, so booking is essential.
Please book by emailing infocentral@heritage.org.nz and specifying you are interested in the Pencarrow Lighthouse event.
Your booking will also get you a special discount on bike or eBike hire.
Stepping into QMC Junior School marks the start of a learning adventure that equips students for their future. QMC is an IB World School, and proud to offer unparalleled excellence in research-based teaching, learning and wellbeing programmes.
Our Junior students learn new skills, develop … View moreStepping into QMC Junior School marks the start of a learning adventure that equips students for their future. QMC is an IB World School, and proud to offer unparalleled excellence in research-based teaching, learning and wellbeing programmes.
Our Junior students learn new skills, develop confidence, aim for excellence, take risks, challenge and explore the world around them.
Every child enjoys access to a wide range of exhilarating cultural and sporting opportunities in a progressive, cosmopolitan, safe environment. We value diversity, and inclusivity – and are the school of choice for families from 54 countries worldwide.
Join us for Open Day, Years 4-6 to find out more and discover the difference a QM education will make to your child’s future.
Discover Years 4,5 and 6
Junior School Open Day
Wednesday 28 October
• 9am - 10.20am
• 5pm - 6.20pm
Places are limited. Book to avoid disappointment.
A graceful and nationally critical (less than 200 birds) very important visitor has graced the Hutt Estuary in late Summer/early autumn for the last few years - the white heron/kōtuku. Sometimes he likes to wander up the Te Mome Stream where he has apparently made friends with some of the … View moreA graceful and nationally critical (less than 200 birds) very important visitor has graced the Hutt Estuary in late Summer/early autumn for the last few years - the white heron/kōtuku. Sometimes he likes to wander up the Te Mome Stream where he has apparently made friends with some of the residents there. Here he is this past April - waiting out the rain on his boat.
Kaibosh is establishing a new hub in Petone to meet the growing community demand for food.
The food rescue charity is moving their Lower Hutt premises to a large facility in Petone. It will become their central base, from where they'll redistribute food to communities in Wellington, the Hutt … View moreKaibosh is establishing a new hub in Petone to meet the growing community demand for food.
The food rescue charity is moving their Lower Hutt premises to a large facility in Petone. It will become their central base, from where they'll redistribute food to communities in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti, and Horowhenua.
Kaibosh general manager Matt Dagger says COVID-19 has created a crisis and more people than ever cannot afford to buy food.
The new facility will allow Kaibosh to help address the need for food relief in the wider Wellington region, and install better food waste practices in Lower Hutt.
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