Friday Feathered Friend
This week we are featuring the kingfisher, with words and a picture from Louise Thomas. They are often hard to spot but are one of the most beautiful birds you will see.
"Sacred kingfishers/kōtare (Todiramphus sanctus) seem special to me. A lightning flash of brilliant blue as they nip down from the power lines over the river or one of the posts they like to perch on to snatch a crab or little fish – the strike operation takes only seconds, barely breaking the water. I’ve almost given up trying to catch one on my camera diving. They are ruthless with their food, smashing in on their post, presumably to kill it, before swallowing it whole. I haven’t seen him for a few months, but I had one who liked to visit the garden off and on. He was a loveable, if badly behaved, guest, throwing up indigestible crab bits and staking out the compost bin where a mouse lives – he used to watch it with such intensity, like he was trying to use his mind meld powers to make the mouse run out. Come to think of it, I haven't seen the mouse for awhile either. Hmmm. Here is a young chap (an immature) with his chest still mottled from Pauatahanui the other day."
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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0% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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0% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
February’s Weather
Along with most places in Central New Zealand, February 2026 in Kāpiti was its fourth summery month. It was sunny and dry although slightly cooler than usual.
Our daily average maximum temperature was 22.2℃, over a degree cooler than average, being the lowest in over 10 years. February 2025 was similarly cooler, as is this summer generally. As usual, eastern areas of Central NZ averaged a degree warmer, but our overall average mean temperature was again the warmest at 18.1℃.
Our equivalent of 18.25 sunny days was average for February. Rainfall of about 87mm was above the average of 60mm, but it mostly fell in two events separated by two long dry periods, with the second in the middle of the month associated with a strong wind storm that brought a much-needed 40mm.
As our March average temperature is 21.6℃ the chances of getting a fifth summery month are pretty high. Rainfall averages 50mm, but as we are getting more than the historic average these days, it’s likely we will exceed this.
Photo: Sunrise February 20
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