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You’ll see these large elegant all-white birds sweeping their long black bills with rounded ends through the water in the estuary or the lakes. The crest on the top of their head gives them a regal appearance. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Miraz Jordan. Used with permission. Answer: it’s a kōtuku ngutupapa, royal spoonbill:: Identification: Length: 74…
These tiny water creatures are much sought after by people and birds in spring and early summer. They are most easily found in the river. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Miraz Jordan. Used with permission. With thanks to the whitebaiter who allowed me to take a photo of their catch. Answer: they are whitebait Whitebait are the…
You’ll hear its long melodic song trilling 30 to 100 metres high above you before you can spot this bird. Search the skies and you may spot it over the dunes or the paddocks. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Miraz Jordan. Used with permission. Answer: it’s a kaireka, skylark: Identification: Length: 18 cm; Weight: 38 g Similar…
They’re so graceful and elegant. Often seen in pairs on the lakes. At the right time of year these large black birds may have a half dozen fluffy white or grey young in tow. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Miraz Jordan. Used with permission. Answer: it’s a kakīānau, black swan: Identification: Length: 110 - 140 cm; Weight:…
You’ll have no trouble with this very common medium size water fowl. Its quacking will be very familiar. We see them on lakes and the estuary. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Miraz Jordan. Used with permission. Answer: it’s a mallard duck: Identification: Length: 50 - 70 cm; Weight: 1050 - 1300 g Similar species: Grey duck A…
Look closer and you’ll see this isn’t a regular duck on the Reay Mackay Grove lakes. This colourful bird has a dark head and large dark bill, with a splash of white between the two. The body’s an almost luminous brown. They seem to hang out in groups. He aha tērā? What is that? Photo by Miraz Jordan. Used with…
Every summer from 1 November to 30 April Horizons Regional Council monitors the water at the Waikawa Beach footbridge for E. Coli, and just offshore for Enterococci. They also keep an eye out for potentially toxic algae (cyanobacteria). While the water by the footbridge is suitable for swimming only 46% of the time (a historical average), we don't seem to…
I recently became aware of a new publication — Life in the Shallows The wetlands of Aotearoa New Zealand by Karen Denyer and Monica Peters: Featuring wetlands to visit all around the country, descriptions of the rich bird, insect and plant life that can be found there, and some of the innovative ways we can protect and restore them, Life…
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