Bay Harbour: March 25, 2020

Wednesday March 25 2020
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 11
News
BIRDS OF THE ESTUARY
Tanya Jenkins is the manager of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust, a nonprofit
organisation formed in 2002 to protect one of New Zealand’s most important
coastal wetlands. Each week she introduces a new bird found in the estuary. Her column
aims to raise the understanding of the values and uniqueness of the area.
Innovative gull dominates other birds
NOT FUSSY: The wide-ranging appetite
of black-backed gulls has led to a large
increase in numbers since their arrival in
New Zealand.
PHOTO: ANDREW CROSSLAND
WORDS LIKE innovative,
adaptable, cunning and
survivors spring to mind
when talking about the
black-backed gull or karoro
– the largest and most
common gull species in New
Zealand.
They are found anywhere
across the country in
non-forested areas, from
coastlines to high country
farming areas.
Since European arrival,
numbers of these large birds
have exploded due to the
fact that they quite like the
introduction of farms and
especially landfills where
these not too fussy eaters
have done extremely well.
With an appetite for anything
from newborn lambs,
rabbits, eggs and chicks from
other bird species, landfill waste,
public rubbish bin contents and
fishing offal from fishing boats,
numbers have increased from
a few thousand to an estimated
half million plus, with some colonies
reaching up to 1000 birds.
Carrying the disease salmonella,
their waste can actually
‘pollute’ grassed areas which can
be detrimental to farm animals
and cause pollution in our waterways.
In Christchurch with the
closure of the Burwood
Landfill in 2005 this bird
has dispersed throughout
the city where it manages
quite well.
In 2018, black-backed
gulls managed to raid
the chicks from every
single nest of the critically
endangered black-billed gull
in Charlesworth Reserve and
they have, understandably,
not returned there since
(and neither have other
nesting birds such as the
pied stilt).
Due to the current risk
of losing a number of other
bird species in and around
the estuary a black-backed
gull management strategy
is currently under review.
Watch this space.
How can we help prevent
these birds from taking over the
estuary? Please do not encourage
these birds to stay here by
making it just too easy for them
by feeding bread or left-over fish
and chips near the estuary.
Safety a priority
for all water-craft
Navigational
safety officer
Gary Manch
delivers his first
Pirate’s Corner
column for the year
Wow – hasn’t the weather been
great? And of course, all that
good weather means that you
boaties have been out and about,
enjoying our region’s waterways.
I am pleased that even with the
increased number of boats on the
water, complaints have been few
and far between. However, there
are still boaties out there who do
not know the rules or choose to
disregard them.
One of the main complaints
we hear is the speed of boats too
close to the shore, other boats or
swimmers. The rule is not that
complicated; if you are within
50m of another boat or swimmer,
keep your speed to a fast walking
pace, without creating a wake. If
you are within 200m of the shore,
the same rule applies.
It’s also timely to remind paddleboarders
that you must wear
a life jacket. The only exception
is when you have a leg rope attached
and the paddleboard is
being used to surf.
We are now in the fourth season
of the need for vessels to be
identified (Part 20 of the Navigation
Safety Bylaw 2016). While
progress has been a little slow,
it’s great to see more and more
boats complying. If you haven’t
yet identified your boat, PWC or
any other vessel, it’s time to get it
sorted – there will come a time in
the not too distant future where
instead of a friendly chat to ensure
compliance, we may have to issue
infringements.
Lastly, with Autumn round the
corner and the weather starting
to get colder, you might be keen
on having something to do in
the evening – have a look at the
courses offered online through
the coastguard. The Day Skipper,
Boatmaster and Martime VHF
Operator certificates can all be
completed online and are well
worth considering.
To identify your vessel,
visit www.ecan.govt.nz/do-itonline/harbourmasters-office/
recreational-boating or to look
at courses offered through the
coastguard, go to www.boatingeducation.org.nz/courses
Why are Enduring Powers
of Attorney so important?
Sell your home
this summer!
Relax in the sun and let
me work for you
The summer months are the peak selling time in our seaside
suburbs so, if you are considering selling, call Chris today for
the latest market news and a free appraisal of your home.
Call today for professional, local advice on real estate
Chris Moores
Harcourts Grenadier Ferrymead 1020 Ferry Road
P: 03 384 7950 | M: 027 588 4440 E: chris.moores@harcourts.co.nz
Licensed Sales Consultant REAA 2008
GRENADIER
With life full of constant surprises, it is
important to consider whether you have
arrangements in place for your affairs
and your health should you be unable to
manage them.
Many people know what a Will is but not
as many know the importance of also
having Enduring Powers of Attorney
(EPOAs) in place.
EPOAs are legal documents that grant
another person (your Attorney) the ability
to manage your property affairs and make
decisions for your welfare on your behalf,
should you be unable to do so due to
accident, illness or mental incompetence.
Many people also assume that their spouse/
partner or other family members can
automatically take the reins if they lose
capacity, but this is not the case. If EPOAs
are not in place, an application needs to
be made to the Family Court for Orders to
appoint someone to assist you. This can be
an expensive and time consuming process
when urgent decision making is needed.
Having EPOAs in place can then save you
and your family a lot of stress and also ensure
that you get to choose who looks after you
and your affairs.
The law on EPOAs states that lawyers
must be engaged in the process of creating
EPOAs to ensure that they are created
properly, and that you are well informed
and satisfied with the power you are giving
to your attorney.
Contact Charlotte Grimshaw to find out if EPOAs apply to you
03 940 2435
987 ferry rd, christchurch
charlotte.grimshaw@saunders.co.nz