​
There's plenty to see and do at the estuary.
The estuary walkway provides beautiful views, and there are signs along the way providing information about some of the birds you might see.
There is a lot of interesting wildlife at the estuary. As well as birds, the estuary is also home to some interesting plants and is an important habitat for native fish.
​
The Manawatū Estuary Trust enjoys giving people the opportunity to learn more about this amazing environ
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Pekapeka/Indo-pacific Comb Star Astropectin polyacanthus
As its name suggests, this species inhabits the Indo-Pacific region being found from around Africa to Hawaii and from Japan, the Indonesian Islands to Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
This species is typically found in shallow estuaries and harbors, at depths reaching 185 metres.. It is often a victim of dragnet fishing, which could explain why they are occasionally discovered deceased on beaches, sometimes in significant numbers.
In life, they exhibit a dark purple hue on their upper side and orange on their underparts. Their common name originates from the "spines" located on both sides of their five arms which resembles a comb.
Food consists mainly of shellfish which are swallowed whole.
iNaturalist-Indo-pacific Comb Star
PÅ«ngorungoru/Finger Sponge Callyspongis nuda
Very little is known about this frequently washed-up Sponge Although there are records of this species being found globally in locations off East Africa, Madagascar, Indonesia and North and South America, it is Aotearoa New Zealand which seems to have the most records (see GBIF reference).
Food in the form of plankton and dissolved organic material is drawn in through pores (clearly visible in the photograph) and the nutrients filtered from the water by cell walls as it was pumped through. Waste is also expelled through these pores.
The life cycle of Sponges in general is complex. Most are hermaphroditic with both male and female cells. Larva produced find places to attach themselves to which can be rocks, marine debris or as in the picture, the shell of a mollusc.
GBIF-Callyspongia nuda
Wikipedia-Sponges
By-the-wind Sailor Velella velella
​
Not every summer but most, there are strandings of By-the-wind-sailor, although not in the numbers that are found for Bluebottles. Often called Jellyfish, they are actually a group of organisms each with a particular part to play in ensuring its survival and are termed Siphonophores.
Unlike true jellyfish which are mobile in their own right, By-the-wind-sailors have no mechanism to achieve this and rely solely on wind and currents for their movement.
A thin semicircular fin is set diagonally across the float and this acts like a sail which catches the wind and moves these creatures over great distances.
​
The sting of this species is not that strong, but handling should be avoided.
​