Manawatu¯ Estuary sessions farewell migratory birds
The Manawatu¯ Estuary Trust is holding another Farewell to the Migratory Birds session at the Manawatu¯ Heads on Saturday, March 19.
They will be meeting at 11am (before the high tide at 12 midday) at the viewing platform on Dawick St, which runs off Seabury Ave in Foxton Beach.
Migration of some of the wading birds will have been going on for about two weeks. No one can tell if or when the birds are ready to make their departure from the estuary in small flocks.
Humans can only observe their agitation and hear their calls signalling their preparation for the event. Departures usually occur, weather dependent, later in the afternoon.
The bar tailed godwits, kuaka, depart to return to Alaska to breed. The lesser or red knot, Huahou, another summer visitor, will return to breeding grounds in Siberia.
The sandspit is also a gathering area for the wrybill, one of the threatened native species that relies on the Manawatu¯ Estuary as a feeding ground. These little fellows can be seen easily using the spotting scopes which will be made available. There is a good chance that you may see a flock of these special birds at this time.
Viewing and photographic opportunities present themselves well because of the access and close proximity to their gathering points.