Friday Feathered Friend
This week we again feature words and a picture from Louise Thomas, who recently ventured to Whanganui.
"The Chief Porter and I have been hunting the Nankeen Night Heron for some time. Randomly calling into Ūpokongaro to the spot “Behind the Door on 4” where others before us have clocked the birds, but, for us, with no success. On Monday we were crest fallen to find the café shut, but thought we would head a little way up Makirikiri Valley Road and drop down into the gulley and scout along the stream that runs into the Whanganui River at Ūpokongaro.
The recent rain had made the stream brown and swollen, water was lapping up onto the shelf with the slight track covered in wandering willy (tradescentia). It was wet, slippery, and muddy and our pants were wet up to the knees just walking through the undergrowth. We were buzzed by fantails and wax-eyes, but saw nothing of the night herons behind the area where the café is.
We pushed a little further upstream, straddling rotten logs which crumbled under our feet and slipping in the thick wet weed. I was about to call time of death on the operation, when the Chief Porter spotted a creamy patch against the dark tangled trees overhanging the stream. It was like magic, three night herons materialised from the gloom, their bodies glowing like warm rich butterscotch.
All three had slicked back black hair, but one roosting in the tree, hunched over like an old man, also had two long thin white feathers waving down his back like crazy antennae. One was actively hunting in the stream, pulling at aquatic plants in the hope they might be tasty, the other perched above and moved along the branches quoorking encouragement about the activities below. Nankeen night heron (Nycticorax caledonicus)."
Robbery at a Naenae dairy
At around 8am Police were called to Rata Street where a group entered a Naenae dairy and presented a knife, stealing product. The offenders fled the scene in a vehicle which has since been located in Naenae Park abandoned. Police are appealing for information from the public.
Inspector Simon de Wit Relieving Hutt Valley Area Commander says: “Police are reviewing CCTV footage, speaking with witnesses, and we are searching the area as we work to identify and locate the offenders.”
“Enquiries are ongoing and a scene examination will be conducted.”
“If you have any information that may assist in identifying and locating the youths or saw a small silver Toyota hatchback leaving the scene towards Naenae Park between the hours of 8:10am and 8:20am please contact Police on 111 if it was recent or 105 if it’s after the fact. Please reference event number: P058472846,” says Inspector de Wit.
Alternatively you can report any information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Dog Grooming
We have recently opened a dog grooming business at 75 Woburn Road, Woburn, Lower Hutt. We have current vacancies for your dog. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and the quality of our grooming. We love dogs and so make a special effort to ensure the grooming experience is as enjoyable and non-stressful for them as possible.
To make an appointment or booking, please visit www.woburndogs.co.nz... or phone Erica on 0274 459 1464. Thank you.
Potted colour
Express yourself with this artistic dip-dye paint effect using Resene paints. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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