Bay Harbour: July 08, 2020

Wednesday July 8 2020
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 9
News
• By Jess Gibson
STRIKING:
Sumner
resident
Eleanor
Grimshaw
had her
vibrant
pieces on
show at
The Rock
recently.
Evoking positive emotions
aim of art exhibition
VIBRANT artwork on show
in Sumner has been designed
to lift spirits and evoke positive
emotions of viewers.
Sumner artist Eleanor Grimshaw
recently held her first-ever
exhibition at The Rock, Wakefield
Ave, and her paintings will remain
on display until July 20.
The collection is a colourful
mix of watercolour and acrylic,
some with pen and wash over the
top, with flowers being the central
theme.
The Rock, a not-for-profit community
organisation in Sumner,
asked Grimshaw to do an exhibition
in February after seeing her
Instagram art page and it was
meant to be held in April.
But plans were put on hold
when the country went into alert
level 4 lockdown and Grimshaw,
who is known for her photorealistic
portraits, used the time
to explore a different art-form.
“I thought if I’m going to be
doing an exhibition where people
might potentially buy this stuff
it would be nice for them to have
some colourful cheery art, that
when they look at it, it makes them
feel in a positive way rather than
that serious photo-realistic stuff.
Grimshaw was first inspired to
switch up her style when she was
house hunting in the area with
her sister earlier in the year and
fell in love with the homes which
had colourful stand-out art.
“Without being corny I think
having a bit of happy stuff to look
at around the home is probably
quite nice in case we get stuck in
our houses again.”
More than 80 guests attended
Grimshaw’s exhibition and
she sold more than half of her
paintings, making about $2500.
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.
Gull in declining numbers
THE RED-billed gull/tarapunga
is commonly seen anywhere
around the estuary, along the
rivers and even in the city –
particularly when you are trying
to enjoy your fish and chips on
one of the many car parks with
a spectacular view over the
estuary.
But this once common gull is
not so common anymore … it is
now on the list with a classification
of at risk and declining.
Only five years ago it was
normal to count 8000 and more
around the estuary alone but
numbers have been declining to
just more than 4000 today. The
well-known, well studied and
one of the largest red-billed gull
colonies in New Zealand near
Kaikoura has seen a drop of 49
per cent in the population.
So, what is going on? Firstly,
cats, rats and stoats are stealing
eggs and chicks, which are easy
prey when the red billed-gulls
nest on the ground. Secondly,
due to climate-induced weather
changes and water temperatures
the krill population is declining.
Krill is the main food supply for
these gulls and this is no longer
always available to them. Some
of you may remember the ‘rafts
DECLINE: The red-billed gull is now listed as at risk.
PHOTO: PAUL CORLISS
of red krill floating on the surface’
in and around the estuary.
This sight has indeed been less
common.
Gulls will also eat small fish,
insects, worms as well as any
human scrap found near rubbish
bins and landfills or bread fed by
many locals.
However, this is the third
cause of their demise as processed
food is detrimental to any
bird, resulting adults to produce
weak chicks making them
vulnerable to harsh weather and
predators, as well as shortening
their lifespan.
How can we help prevent
losing not only our red-billed
gulls but also other bird species?
Control near your home. Place a
collar and bell on your cat so the
birds at least have some warning
while nesting but preferably
keep your cat indoors during the
night.
THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION
AND REFERENDUMS
JOIN US NOW!
See website for details
The General Election
and referendums on
End of Life Choice
and cannabis will be
held in September.
STYLES MAY DIFFER TO IMAGE SHOWN
UNDER ARMOUR
30% off the lowest
marked price on youth
footwear and apparel.
T&Cs apply
COTTON ON KIDS
30% off RRP on winter
clothing. While stocks last.
ICEBREAKER
50% off RRP on
knitwear, fleece,
sweaters and hoodies
We’ll help you over
the coming weeks with
everything you need to
know to make voting easy.
Enrol. Vote. Be heard.
0800 36 76 56
vote.nz
ELE0163_Pre_Awareness_180x130
Sign up to Smart Deals & be in the monthly draw for a $100 Dress-Smart gift card!
Open 10am-5pm, 7 Days 03 349 5750
MERRELL
Take an additional 20% off
lowest marked price on all
clothing. 20% off bags &
kids shoes.
TAROCASH
Shirts from $19.99.
Jackets from $99.99.
CHRISTCHURCH 409 Main South Road, Hornby
www.dress-smart.co.nz