Shore Bird Walk - why all the fuss over the endemic fairy tern? Come and find out.
An exceptional opportunity to discover the importance of the Mangawhai Spit and the role it plays in the conservation of all the visiting shore birds.
At the top end of the Mangawhai Forest we walk north along the beach to the sand spit. This is a high tide roost for arctic migrating birds (stunningly coloured in March before their long journey to Alaska to breed) and home to perhaps the largest post-breeding flock of NZ dotterels in the world. Oyster catchers, Banded Dotterels, gulls and terns will be present. However, NZ Fairy terns (our rarest endemic bird) flock elsewhere in March, so we might only see one or two. This is a three hour walk in soft sand. Bring a picnic tea. Wind proof layer and binoculars are essential. Weather and forest fire risk dependant.
This is a long beach walk but an exceptional walk for this year, only made possible because our dates are earlier than usual. It has to be undertaken at high tide. Gwenda Pullam, a long term observer of the birds on the Mangawhai Spit and member of the Ornithological Society of NZ will lead this walk and share her extensive knowledge.
Meet at the Mangawhai Beach School for carpooling at 2.30pm
| Departs 2.45am, 4-5hrs |
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Grade 3 |
Meet and Greet At The Club
Mangawhai Bowling Club Molesworth Drive
Friday 12 th March
7.30pm - 9pm
Join the guides for a glass of wine and nibbles
Renew old friends - meet new ones
Entry by ticket only - $5
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