Chaffinch - a common garden bird
Chaffinch/pahirini (Fringilla coelebs) are a common backyard bird with the male sporting a rusty-red breast and a steel-grey hood. They love a bit of bird seed and will quite happily feed with the sparrows. Interestingly, during the winter before they pair up for breeding, the males and females separate to hang out in little groups of their own sex - hence the Latin name "coelebs" meaning bachelor. They pair up in September with the male first establishing his territory (in my garden this is one side of the back lawn from the shed to the back deck) and commencing singing to attract his mate. I'm pleased to report that he was successful and his lady love has built a fine little nest in one of the camellias. When the chicks have fledged both parents will look after them and feed them. The pair will stay together until March when they will separate to join their own little same sex groups again. I read in a UK birding report that they usually keep the same partners for life, with the female returning to the same territory in Spring to find her mate. I couldn't find anything one way or another to say it was the same in New Zealand, but I assume it would be.
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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78.9% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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21.1% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
Speed limits around NaeNae
Hi Neighbors, Just a heads up, I have just received a $170 fine for driving at 50km on Rata Street Naenae on a SUNDAY Morning. I wrote to NZTA pointing out and sending in a photo of sign stating that it was 30km on school days between those hours, but they said that the whole of Rata Street and some surrounding streets are 30km 24/7 and have been for over a year. Did I miss this been advised by council? Always good to be informed. Merry Christmas to all
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