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: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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88.8% Yes, it's fair
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10.6% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% 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