Warou/Welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena Native. Not threatened. A rare vagrant until the early 1960's, this now familiar species is self-introduced, originating from Australia and is now classed as native. They are a common sight around the area and are frequently seen around the estuary, either singly, in loose groups or en masse. A large gathering, usually on power lines tend to indicate some movement in or out of the area, usually during autumn or spring. Swallows forage aerially for small flying insects swooping low over water or land. They drink by scooping fresh water from the surface of lakes or ponds. Nests are built of mud and are usually attached to a vertical surface. Three to five eggs are laid and hatch after fifteen days. Chicks leave the nest at around eighteen days. nzbirdsonline-W elcome Swallow

Shiny Bog-rush Schoenus nitens Native. Not threatened. This bog-rush is a small plant, growing to a maximum of 35cm in ideal growing conditions but frequently much less, and is easily distinguished from similar species by its well-developed leaves. A common species in many dune wetlands on this coast and wider, reaching as it does Australia and New Guinea. It is not yet widespread in the Dune Garden, but will over time spread further, as it is a successional species spreading as it does, into bare areas. It is mainly a coastal species of sand and can be found near tidal creeks, lagoons, swamps and shallow ponds. NZPCN-Schoenus nitens iNaturalist-Schoenus nitens

Tauhinu/Cottonwood Ozothamnus leptophyllus Endemic. Not threatened. Principally a dry dune species on this coast, and in the Dune Garden sometimes appears in the ephemeral wetland area. There it builds dry islands by accumulating sand, but not as effectively as Pingao and Kōwhangatara. It is found from coastal areas generally up to subalpine regions and can attain a height of over 2m. One of the pleasant defining characteristics of this endemic species is that when the white flower is fully active, the aroma is quite reminiscent of Manuka honey. It is pleasant to be downwind of a large number of these plants when in bloom. It is reputed to be the larval food plant of the endemic moth Homoeosomo anaspoia . NZPCN-Tauhinu iNaturalist-Tauhinu

Maakoako/Sea Primrose Samolus repens Native. Not threatened. A common estuarine plant around Aotearoa New Zealand, in many situations it can be a pioneer species moving in after an area has suffered a natural disaster. Afterward, other species move in, often overgrowing it, but even then, Maakoako survives under taller vegetation. For example, at the time of writing, at the end of Carter Crescent there is a patch of ‘lawn’ mowed by Council staff down to tide level. There is also a small patch easily seen from the viewing platform. Maakoako is a principal constituent of this patch of estuarine lawn. There is also a small patch easily seen from the viewing platform. It has pretty white flowers which show from well before Christmas until the start of winter, a long growing season. Besides Aotearoa New Zealand, it can be found in Australia, some Pacific Islands and Chile in South America. NZPCN-Samolus repens var repens iNaturalist-Samolus repens

Kuriri/Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Native. At risk-declining. The Pacific Golden Plover breeds in Siberia and Alaska, so it is only seen in Aotearoa New Zealand during our spring and summer months arriving from mid-September onwards and heading back in March and April. The annual migration round trip is 25-27000km. Usually seen in small flocks of up to 12 birds. It feeds by making short runs, stopping abruptly when it sees something on the surface of the mud, and then snatching at what it's spotted. Small crabs, marine worms, invertebrates and earthworms, plus some berries and seeds on their breeding grounds make up their diet. In non-breeding plumage Pacific Golden Plover are a mottled dark brown and buff on top with some hints of gold. It has a short black beak and grey legs, with a pale stripe above the eye, a pale forehead, and pale underparts, with some dull yellow-gold and dark speckled markings on the throat. Towards the end of summer black feathers will begin to show through as they prepare to migrate north to their breeding grounds. nzbirdsonline-Pacific Golden Plover

Kakīānau/ Black Swan Cygnus atratus Native. Not threatened. A large black bird (1.3m in length), the Black Swan has white wingtips which can be seen when flying. The red beak has a white band near the tip. It flies with slow wing beats, its neck outstretched, landing heavily on water and needing a good, splashing runoff to get airborne again. The Black Swan is vegetarian and feeds mostly on aquatic plants, by reaching down into the water with its long neck. When water levels are too high for it to reach the plants it normal feeds on it resorts to pasture and causes problems for farmers. It's usually found on lakes and other wide areas of fresh or brackish water, but non-breeders also inhabit estuaries. It's usually seen in flocks, the members of which communicate with low honking sounds. Females are smaller than males while juveniles are grey with black feathers coming through as they age. Parents are fiercely protective of their grey fluffy bundles so be warned. nzbirdsonline-Black Swan Kuihi/Canada Goose Branta canadensis Introduced, Not assessed. This large North American goose was first introduced to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1905 and soon spread throughout. As these geese are grazers they are frequently seen in pastoral areas but also inhabit lakes, rivers and coastal areas, especially after the moult as these provide much security as they are unable to fly for several weeks. They are considered pests in some areas. Males are much heavier than females weighing up to 8.5 kg with females several kg lighter. Their plumage is quite distinctive with the neck and head coloured black with a white cheek patch which stretches to just under the chin. Upperparts are brown while underparts are either white, a lighter shade of brown or a mixture of both. Juveniles lack the intensity of colour while goslings are a yellowish grey colour. They are noisy birds, especially when flying in the classic V formation. nzbirdsonline-Canada Goose canada g

New Zealand Celery Apium prostratum var.filiforme Native. Not threatened. A delicate variant of the more common Sea Celery and as the name implies it is edible, but you’d need a fair amount to make an impression in a meal. It is one of the few species that can live in the lower story of the dense jungle Oioi creates in estuaries, which is mostly where you’ll find it in the salt marsh areas of the estuary. A mainly prostrate, sprawling plant of coastal and lowland environments but occasionally montane regions. Common on rock ledges, boulder falls, cliff faces, in peaty turf, salt-marshes, within estuaries, on mud banks, around brackish ponds, and lagoons. Also found in freshwater systems along streams and rivers and in wet hollows. iNaturalist-Apium prostratum filiforme NZPCN-Apium prostratum prostratum var filiforme

Invertebrates This is a very diverse group of animals which, because there are only a small number of species in each group, they are lumped together in this section. The checklist is divided up as such so please click on each tab on the spreadsheet to see species. Groups which have an abundance of species, such as beetles and spiders are given their own page. A checklist of species recorded from the area is included here . Because groups and families in this section contain only a few examples of each, they don't warrant their own separate page, so they are each given a tab within the spreadsheet. Please click on each to access the data. Information is basic and continually updated with links given by the usual method to a wealth of additional information. Headings and columns A and B are locked, so are always available. Web address links are edited to fit in the static species columns. List can be downloaded, and additions added for personal use can be "save as". These will not be saved to the web. Mata/Seashore Earwig Anasolabris littorea Native. Not assessed. This is a medium-sized earwig at around 35 mm when adult. Females will lay a batch of eggs, which she will protect and clean regularly. Hatchlings are replicas of the adults in miniature and go through a number of moults, usually 4-6 before becoming adults. On maturity the terminal forceps of the abdomen determine an individual's sex - they are curved in males while those of females are straight. Found around plants and debris the flattened body allows them to squeeze into tight places. General colouration is brown, with recently moulted young being whitish for a short time. Legs are yellowish-buff. This is a carnivorous species feeding on small insects. Wikipedia-Seashore Earwig Kēkerengū/Large Black Cockroach Maoriblatta novaeseelandiae Endemic. Not threatened. It differing from many other native species of Cockroaches found in Aotearoa New Zealand in it being black in colouration and at 25-29 mm is the largest found here. In our area this species is to be found in the dunes but has been recorded up to 600 m above sea level in other areas. It appears to have a mainly North Island distribution but has been recorded in several locations on the South Island. Its preferred habitat is hiding behind bark or beneath stone, logs and debris and, being nocturnal, is rarely seen during the day. If it senses that this disturbance is a threat, they will exude a musky smelling yellow liquid which is offensive to predators. Diet consists of mainly of decaying plant matter. iNaturalist-Large Black Kekerengu Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus Native. Not assessed. The Monarch Butterfly is a familiar species to many as it is an easy species to identify, being the largest species of butterfly in Aotearoa New Zealand and, bright orange in colour. Their familiarity hides the fact that this is one of the truly amazing species capable of staggering migrations. The one in the Americas is well known but from this population some individuals made their way across the Pacific to settle here. Once a common species, its numbers are much reduced here but in America it is now classed as vulnerable having been reduced in numbers. They are the recipient of much interest during the summer months when people plant Swan plants, their favoured caterpillar food plant. sciencelearn-monarch butterflies

Dune Garden The Dune Garden is an ephemeral dune wetland surrounded by a ring of tall, dry dunes, on the western edge of the Manawatu Estuary Ramsar site. It is the most studied and actively managed coastal site on this coast, and probably much wider. As such it is a good wilderness habitat to explore, learn about, and better yet, become involved in its protection. Community work parties undertake monitoring and weeding tasks on a fortnightly basis, on Sunday mornings. This helps to protect the natural biodiversity, and provides a path to learn about the ecosystem, the flora and the fauna that make the Dune Garden home. If you would like to know more, please use the Support MET page on this site to reach out. To find the Dune Garden, follow the signs to Foxton Beach township, driving along main road Seabury Avenue through the township to the Foxton Beach Holiday Park where the map below becomes useful to direct you to the Dune Garden, and various points around it. Car parking is available on the hard sand at the end of Pinewood Road, i.e. where the blue arrows in the above map start. Access to the big bowl in the centre of the Dune Garden is over the big dune or else wending one's way through smaller dunes. The former is more straightforward and provides a sweeping first view. From atop the dune you might already be able to see the fluoro orange sunhat and jacket of regular attendees hundreds of meters to the west. We recommend you inform the team of your arrival time, If your timing is inopportune, they may be working behind a small dune or equivalent. It is easier for us to be appropriately visible if you're close to your indicated arrival time. As an ephemeral dune wetland, the Dune Garden tends to be quite dry through the summer and autumn, and over winter can fill up with water, which in wet years may remain until summer. The wetland area can be hard packed sand when dry, and the surrounding dunes are soft dry sand where they're not covered in vegetation. Dune Garden team members are happy to explain this as part of your introduction to the area. Photo C. Tuffley These dunes can get warm even with a stiff breeze, common enough on this coast. Often little wind is felt in the Dune Garden, so it can warm up quickly. If you're on a north facing dune, the sand gets quite hot, well before midday, so sessions may target finishing by midday for that reason. Layered clothing is recommended, with a light windproof top layer. There is no official start time but earlier is better to avoid the heat. Come when it suits and for as long as you like. Useful items to bring include sunhat, sun cream, water bottle, munchies, and a camera. Sometimes a digging tool is useful along with a bag in your pocket for collecting rubbish - bread bags are appropriately small and relatively robust, but others bring larger ones. Plastic remains are highly undesirable in our environment and can then be picked up and deposited in a Council rubbish bin, e.g. in the area of the playground.

Shore Cotula Leptinella dioica Endemic. Not threatened. Generally uncommon in the Manawatū Estuary, at time of writing there is a healthy patch toward the spit off the end of the Dawick Street platform, and a few small patches on the south bank. The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network entry suggests it has a long flowering season from October to June but here at the estuary it seems to bloom for only a brief period in early summer. Flowers can be either green or yellow but it is the leaves which are a distinctive feature of this plant. They are variable but mostly elongated, fleshy with cuts or lobes and either light green, green, blue-green or wine red in colour. NZPCN-Leptinella dioica iN aturalist-Leptinella dioica

Sand Buttercup Ranunculus acaulis Native. Not threatened. A relative of the Common Buttercup that is found growing in lawns and paddocks, this specialised tiny member of the buttercup family occurs for the most part in sandy or muddy areas. This species flowers in November or December with flowers finished in days, so you are lucky to see one at all. The first instance of this plant appeared in the Dune Garden in April 2019, and within two years spread over a large area, propagating by fragments floating on the winter waters, to take hold in new areas. Several other small species in the Dune Garden utilise this propagation method as well. It is also found in Tasmania, Falkland Islands and Chile. NZPCN-Ranunculus acaulis iNaturalist-Ranunculus acaulis

Tara/White-fronted Tern Sterna striata Endemic. At risk-declining. The White-fronted Tern may be seen on the beach or the mudflats. It hunts for fish in coastal waters or a short distance further out. White-fronted Terns are a medium-sized tern with a black cap on the crown and nape which is separated from the black beak by a strip of white. In non-breeding plumage there is more white between the beak and cap. The upperparts are grey, and the lower parts white. The long tail is white and forked. Frequently, towards the end of the summer/beginning of autumn a number of juveniles can be seen which are probably from the breeding colony at Waika nae. Frequently seen either perched on the beach or actively hunting for fish which they catch by diving into the water. nzbirdsonline-White-fronted Tern caspian tern Taranui/Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Native. Threatened-nationally vulnerable. This is by far the largest species of tern to be seen at the estuary, and with a wingspan of a metre makes it similar in size to the Black-backed Gull. It is a large, stocky tern weighing as much as 780gms with a black cap that touches the beak when in breeding plumage, with a slight crest. The legs and feet are black, while the heavy beak is conspicuously red. Upperparts are grey and the underparts white. In flight the lower side of some of the primary wing feathers look black. In non-breeding plumage the black cap may be flecked with white. When feeding the Caspian Tern flies along over the water, 5 to 10 m up, looking down into the water to search for fish. On spotting one, it plunges down in a dive and enters the water briefly. Food is consumed while in flight. nzbirdsonline-Caspian Tern