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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
Pest Fauna
It is a well-known fact that Aotearoa New Zealand has a disproportionate number of introduced animal species, many of which are detrimental to the survival of native wildlife. Many species, such as rodents (rats and mice) and mustelids (weasels, stoats and ferrets) are well documented and present around this area. This page will introduce some of these species, plus others that are not so well known. Brief introductions and a list of organisations where these can be reported will be included, as are some control methods.
iNaturalist has a list of exotic species for the Ramsar site but this is a little vague in terms of information. Best to search for the individual species in this link.
Before commencing any trapping of Mustelids, Rats or Possums please consult Department of Conservation booklet Practical Guide to Trapping 3rd edition.
One of the most comprehensive coverages of what is required to start and expand a successful pest control program is contained in a publication by Predator Free Miramar and titled How to kill rats and engage a community. It contains a detailed account of what is needed from trap building to engaging public and everything else in-between. It is a must read.
Predator Free NZ produces a series of excellent guides on the main predator species which can be viewed via this series of links. Ferret, Weasel, Stoat, Ship Rat, Norway Rat and Possum.
Below are listed three of the best guides to mammalian pest control. All slightly different - follow the basics but adapt to your own personal situation as required.
Foxton Beach Predator Trapping Results
With funding and assistance from Horizons Regional Council and Predator Free NZ, Wildlife Foxton Trust with the help of numerous enthusiastic volunteers administer the trapping program in the Foxton Beach area covering the estuary, woodland, farmland and around the township. Results of all this effort is beginning to show as can be seen from the graph below produced by the Traps NZ site, where all our catch details are entered. Various traps are available, on loan, from Wildlife Foxton Trust.
Sections below, in time, will not only cover many of the dominant and well known species but some of the lesser known types which prey on some of Aotearoa New Zealand's other unique wildlife.
possum
MUSTELIDS
Three species make up this most lethal suite of introduced predators that Aotearoa New Zealand has. Weasel, Stoat and Ferret are capable killers being able to decimate entire populations of native species from areas that are not protected with an eradication program.
Traps and boxes can be purchased as a complete unit or separately. Boxes for these traps have a design which must be followed. The DoC 250 for stoats and ferrets and DoC 200 for weasels are the industry standard and design details can be found in this handy guide. More information is available in the three guides listed above.
The video opposite was taken by Cleland Wallace for which we acknowledge his permission to use. This photograph is of a ferret and was taken on the recent Bittern Muster (survey) at Lake Omanu. Being the domesticated form of the Polecat, they tend to be more confiding than the other two species. Efforts are underway to start a trapping program in the area, an important habitat for many species of birds.
Brush-tailed Possum Trichosurus vulpecula
This serious pest of forests and gardens was introduced to Aotearoa New Zealand with a view to creating a fur trade. The first, in 1837 was unsuccessful but it was the 1858 attempt which started the colonisation of this destructive pest.
While some possum fur is still used, usually combined with wool to give extra strength, it is the side effect that is being felt now.
Possums are now trapped extensively to try to eradicate them.
Wildlife Foxton Trust has a trap library and loan out possum specific traps, with instructions for use in the Foxton Beach area. Enquiries via their website wildlifefoxton.org
BLACK AND YELLOW STRIPEY STINGY THINGS
Wasps are in the same order as bees and ants and while most live solitary lives, it is the social wasps that are a real pest, both to native wildlife and to humans and their activities. German wasps are nuisance at certain times of the year especially when outdoor eating is involved.
In terms of their pest status the least troublesome to humans but to native invertebrates they are a real problem are the paper wasps, especially the Asian Polistes chinensis which is particularly abundant in this area, building their nests in a variety of locations including guttering, bushes and in log piles. They are not aggressive and their stings are reputed to be not that painful. They take a heavy toll on native insects and their nests should be destroyed as soon as they are found. Normally only small structures they can sometimes be large. First spray with a commercial fly spray and when there is no sign of wasps in the vicinity, destroy nests which will kill any remaining pupae. If Monarch Butterflies breed in your garden there will be a nest close-by and would be worth checking as these can take a heavy toll.
Perhaps the most familiar of the wasps are the two species of Vespula, those annoying species of the summer months. Depending on several factors both the German V. germanica and Common V. vulgaris can be quite abundant some years. Unlike the paper wasps, both these species build nests where the egg chambers are enclosed with an outer covering with one or more entrance hole. They can be situated underground, in wall cavities or in buildings. Being stung by an individual can not only be very painful but dangerous if allergic, often warenting a visit to hospital
Nests if discovered should not be approached as they are very aggressive creatures. Destruction should only be done by a professional pest control person, but there are traps and baits available for use away from nests to attract them. Details of of one of the most effective is given below for control of Hornets
A recent addition to the list of invasive species is the Yellow-legged Hornet Vespa velutina. This is potentially a very destructive species and has caused havoc with bee populations in an increasing number of countries as it is a very aggressive predator, attacking bee hives.
Populations are spreading worldwide with the first record for Aotearoa New Zealand in 2025. Immediately, MPI/Biosecurity developed a strategy to control this pest and help contain and ultimately eliminate the threat.
Since the initial sighting, a total of 77 queens and 132 have been destroyed as of early April 2026. There is a wealth of information on the MPI/Biosecurity website which covers all aspects associated with what is being done to help eradicate Yellow-legged Hornets, including what to look out for and where to report possible sightings.
An information leaflet is available to download at MPI documents
CONTROL
German and Common Wasps and Yellow-legged Hornets, besides being a threat to native species are potentially a threat to humans because of their sting. Nests of all species need to be reported to the appropriate authority for elimination and not to be attempted by untrained individuals.
However, measures can be taken by individuals to protect personal space by using different types of bait containers and lures with several different types are available. The main consideration is bycatch, species for which bait and equipment is not intended.
Sweet sugary liquids in homemade dispensers is not ideal. Best to use a specific wasp attractant which is of low risk to bees and which is placed in a suitable which does not allow easy access to the bait. One of the best is the dome-shaped container which holds the bait.
Trials have been held over a few years by the Department of Conservation with a new bait, developed by Merchento called Vespex. It has proved very effective in controlling both wasps and hornets which take it back to the nest resulting in the killing of the whole colony. Check out the link above for more details.
Lester, P. 2018. The Vulgar Wasp: The Story of a Ruthless Invader and Ingenious Predator. Victoria University Press.
Lester, P. 2022. The Management of Invasive Species, Pests and Diseases in New Zealand. Te Herenga Waka University Press.
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