Endangered dotterel family killed by cat, devastating Auckland volunteers
A photographer is distraught after the dotterel family she had been documenting was killed by a cat.
Michele Mackenzie, a resident of Snells Beach, has been posting updates on dotterel breeding pair Dott and Donald to her Facebook page since 2019.
Mackenzie, who has had a passion for birds since she was 4 years old, hoped giving the birds names and a narrative would raise awareness of the at-risk species.
Work by volunteers to protect Dott and Donald's nest was rewarded when on November 23, when Dott and Donald successfully hatched two chicks, which volunteers named the Dottettes.
But on Monday, Mackenzie was distraught to discover Donald and the Dottettes had been killed by a cat, leaving Dott alone and confused about her partner’s whereabouts.
See more on Stuff.
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.4% Yes
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8.2% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below!
Artist Talks
Series of Artist’s Talks about Renaissance Artists:
Next talk, this coming Sunday, 28th.
Sunday 28th April Michelangelo - Fall
Sunday 26th May Caravaggio - Passion
Sunday 23rd June Rembrandt - Reflection
Sunday 25th August Van Gogh
Talks are by Blacksmith Chris Ellwood and his wife, potter and painter, Karyn.
Passion, pain and the papacy have influenced the work of many of the Renaissance Artists. Hear stories of Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Van Gogh as we take you through their spiritual journey’s during a series of artist talks hosted as part of ‘Cafe Church’ over the next few months at Helensville Community Church, 40 Mill Road.
The talks will be in the form of a powerpoint presentation and will be very interactive, with questions welcomed throughout. Although neither Chris nor Karyn are academics as such, they have a real passion for these Renaissance artists.
Chris hopes, through these talks, to show the humanity, strengths and weaknesses of artists who lived in a very different time to us and had to grapple with their personal beliefs whilst existing within societies prevailing systems.
The talks will be a part of the Sunday service at Helensville Community Church,
40 Mill Road, next to the Hospice Shop and opposite Mitre 10.
Services start at 10.30 and are of a ‘Cafe Style’, with food and drinks available throughout as the Church is set up around tables like a cafe.
There is no charge for food or drinks.