1605 days ago

Grey warblers in territorial disputes

Louise from Woburn

There have been some epic grey warbler/riroriro (Gerygone igata) battles in the back garden the past couple of weeks – well, as epic as it gets for something that weighs in at 6g. What I assume are three males have been wittering away and chasing each other around quite a small area when they disagree about who won the singing competition – little flashes of aerodynamic grey fluff battling for supremacy of the Acer palmatum conveniently sandwiched between a camellia, a kowhai, and a robust trellis covered in potato vine they seem to like climbing in. Having grey warblers in permanent residence here in Woburn, Lower Hutt is quite new (at least in my garden), with them only having turned up earlier this year. I hope they don’t exhaust themselves before they get to do any actual courting. This was taken last week, but they have started up again today after a temporary cease fire during the bad weather. Fingers crossed they nest here.

Don't forget you can order my 2022 Wild birds of New Zealand calendar - DM me or email louise@louisethomas.co.nz for details.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
10 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
Enter Here

Image
3 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

Image
Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 19.7% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.7% Complete
  • 70% Nah - not for me
    70% Complete
829 votes
16 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

Image