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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.
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The Manawatū Estuary Trust enjoys giving people the opportunity to learn more about this amazing environ
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SPECIES TO WATCH FOR
Parrot's Feather Myriophyllum aquaticum
Introduced. Not assessed.
This is one of the numerous species on the National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) list which bans the sale of this potentially invasive species. However, of the sixteen regions with pest management plans it is only classed as a pest in eight, one of which is not Horizons. It is not considered a pest in this area although it is found in some locations.
This is a plant of mainly freshwater but can tolerate slightly saline estuarine conditions. Can grow in water up to 2 m in depth with the feathery growth protruding around 10 cm above water.
Once established it can form large mats which can reach a stage where it chokes or shades waterways which can cause serious problems for native species. Fragments can be water dispersed.
Weedbusters-Parrot's Feather
iNaturalist-Parrot's Feather
parrots feather
Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense
Introduced. Not assessed.
This invasive species has the potential to become a problem. How to deal with this species is given in the link below which covers the issue in great detail.
It is a relative of the ferns and is easily distinguished by its up-right, feathery green foliage. Can form pure strands which crowd out other species, and these can be quite extensive. It is toxic to stock so can become quite a problem in pasture.
Apart from dry ground, it thrives in almost all types of damp ground such as roadsides, gardens, riverbeds and pasture. Very rarely seen at the beach and dunes but worth keeping an eye out for it.
They are reputed to produce spores infrequently but are spread but are spread by root fragments through disturbance.
Horizons Regional Council-Weeding out Field Horsetail
field horsetail
Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias
Not assessed. Arrived naturally.
DO NOT TOUCH. SAP IS TOXIC AND COULD SPREAD SEED.
This potentially destructive weed is thought to have come across the Tasman Sea, carried on currents from Eastern parts of Australian where there are large areas of this dangerous plant.
It is a notifiable plant and if observed should be reported following the details given opposite, taken from a sign, two of which have been erected by DOC down at the beach, One on Pinewood Road and one by the beach entrance near the Surf Club.
It is not yet a common plant, but known sites are monitored and visited frequently to check for further growth. More details can be found by clicking on the links below.
MPI-Sea Spurge
Wikipedia-Euphorbia paralias
Spurge
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