Friday Bird of the Week.
Hey Neighbourly folk, I am adding a new feature to Neighbourly every Friday. There are some amazing bird photographers in the region and I will be highlighting their best pictures.
This week's picture features my favourtite bird, the beautiful karearea (NZ Falcon). Simon Wooolf took the picture at Wrights Hill, Karori, and wrote an interesting account of the observation.
It settled itself down on a wooden structure, preened itself, and then dosed off! Then the action started.
Three, or four Welcome Swallows decided to dive bomb the Falcon! Now in flight, and in dive mode, Falcon's are the worlds fastest birds. This bird was obviously stationary. Swallows and Swifts feature in the Top Ten Fastest Birds too. The Karearea is a threatened species in NZ. Predators are man, and while breeding cats, ferrets etc, and believe it or not hedgehogs! I have never seen other bird species attack a karearea!
Normally our falcons are fearless. I have had them land a metre away from me. If threatened, and especially in breeding season they are not just fearless, but are brave, and ruthless. Even we humans will depart the scene rapidly if attacked!
Incidentally once awake the karearea took the aerial attacks in its stride and was pretty non-plussed!
I'm pretty rapt with the series of shots I gained, as the swallows were attacking at over 150kph. There was contact made on a couple of occasions, however I wasn't quick enough to catch that part of the action, even with my camera set a1/4000 sec and with my trusty Sigma 150 - 600 lens.
If you get the opportunity to observe these wonderful Taonga of our New Bush, do so. I have never been disappointed!
Simon Woolf.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 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?
-
10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
-
20.2% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
-
69.4% Nah - not for me
Builders
Summer is here — perfect time to build outdoors
Thinking about a new deck, fence, or landscaping work?
Now’s the time to get it done while we’re enjoying the best of Kapiti’s summer weather.
We’re a small, reliable building team offering high-quality workmanship at affordable hourly rates and sharp material prices. I’m a qualified builder and a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP), we take pride in delivering solid, long-lasting results for our clients.
Granny Flats & Small Homes — New Rules commencing in January,
New legislation means you can now build up to 70sqm without a building consent, provided the work is carried out by an LBP.
We’ve got exciting projects starting next year that take full advantage of this change — and we’d love to help you explore what’s possible on your site.
Our Services
• Decks & fences
• Landscaping & digger services
• Bathroom & kitchen renovations
• Renovations & alterations
• New builds & small homes
• Window & door installation
• General building & maintenance
• Full council consent management (if required)
Let’s talk
Whether it’s a small upgrade or a full build, we’d love to help bring your project to life.
www.jmurphybuilding.co.nz...
Joe – 021 0811 2603
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
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.
Loading…
