Three-square Bulrush Schoenoplectus pungens Native. Not threatened As an annual grass, this species fades away in the winter half of the year. It can intergrow with Purua Grass over large areas, so when both species die off, the vegetation looks haggard. Native to Aotearoa New Zealand, it also grows widely around the world and is widespread in western Europe, America and Australia. In addition to estuarine situations, this is one of the common species growing in the dune wetlands on this coast and is not usually found far away from the sea but is occasionally found up to 400 m above sea level. NZPCN-Schoenoplectus pungens iNaturalist-Schoenoplectus pungens

Photo credits, (thumbnail) Don and Betty Wood. (main) Jesse Bythell Māori Musk Thyridia repens Native. At risk-naturally uncommon. This rare flowering species is found in estuaries around Aotearoa New Zealand. We are fortunate to have some in the Manawatū Estuary, but in a relatively inaccessible area which is no bad thing, Although the flower is distinctive, when not in flower the plant can resemble Maakoako. It is a widespread, although uncommon species which seems to have suffered from the spread of several species of exotic reeds and grasses.. Flower colour varies between shades of purple but are sometimes much lighter, bordering almost to white. These distinctive blooms appear between November and May. but are relatively short-lived. NZPCN-Thyridia repens iNaturalist-New Zealand Musk

Taupata/Mirror Bush Coprosma repens Endemic. Not threatened. This endemic species is common in the Foxton Beach area, in the estuary, the dunes, and around the township. In the Dune Garden wetland area, it is not common, but seedlings pop up all the time, and a few will doubtless grow to maturity, even if that is not presently the case. In estuaries along this coast, it is not unusual to find a small Taupata tree growing in the crevices of a larger fallen tree trunk. In the dunes, it can thrive on the front side of the front dune, and is a versatile plant evolved for this area. Interestingly it is in the same family as coffee and forms a bush or small tree reaching up to 8m. Shiny leaves are not unique to the species, but certainly are a characteristic, hence one of its alternative names is ‘mirror plant’. It is also called the New Zealand laurel which it does vaguely resemble. Peak flowering period is reported to be from June to February with the green/white flowers developing into orange berries from July onwards. While found wild only in Aotearoa New Zealand, it is naturalised in Hawaii, Australia, California and South Africa and in some areas, it is now classed as a weed. Also grown widely as a garden plant, consequently various cultivars have been developed. NZPCN-Coprosma repens iNaturalist-Coprosma repens

Tūturiwhatu/Spur-winged Plover Vanellus miles novaehollandiae Native. Not threatened. A self-introduced species from Australia, it is now firmly established and widespread here. A stocky, noisy bird with a quarrelsome nature and raucous voice, it is a familiar bird around the estuary. General plumage colour is grey brown above with white underparts, black cap and shoulders plus distinctive yellow wattles. Nests are built in open habitats near wetland areas or in grassland. Each clutch has 3-4 eggs which hatch in around a month. Young leave the nest shortly after hatching and gain independence at 6-7 weeks. They consume a wide variety of food ranging from worms, insects to molluscs and crustacea. nzbirdsonline-Spur-winged Plover

Papangaio Te Wharangi Manawatū Estuary Information on this website is found by clicking on related pictures, links or via the search button below. Checklist species can be found via the find and search icon on the home page ribbon on the relevant Excel spreadsheet once opened. Search The Manawatū Estuary Trust is a charitable Trust that was formed in 2001 by members of The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc. and The Ornithological Society of New Zealand. The Trust is dedicated to ensuring sustainable and wise management of the Manawatū Estuary, which is a very important habitat for native wildlife. The Trust now has numerous members, including wildlife tour groups, schools, organisations and individuals. The Manawatū Estuary Trust works closely with the Department of Conservation, New Zealand Landcare Trust, Horizons Regional Council, Horowhenua District Council and Wildlife Foxton Trust, which at the moment helps provide the Trust with technical expertise. The Manawatū Estuary Trust also has long standing relationships with academics from Massey University. The Trust has accepted responsibility for carrying out various tasks, such as public education, advocacy, assisting in the preparation of management plans, coordination between public authorities, interest groups and the community, fundraising and construction of information signs. Location The Manawatū Estuary lies at the mouth of the Manawatū River on the west coast of the lower North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand, beside the settlement of Foxton Beach. Foxton Beach is 5km west of Foxton township, 20km north of Levin, and 30km south of Bulls. From Palmerston North it takes half an hour to drive to Foxton Beach; from Wellington about two hours. State Highway 1 will take you to Foxton, from which it is easy to get to Foxton Beach. Please be aware of the following when visiting the Estuary Dogs are not allowed on the bird sanctuary. Dogs can scare the birds that use the estuary for feeding and roosting. Please keep your dog(s) on a lead when exploring the estuary area outside the bird sanctuary. Vehicles are not allowed on the bird sanctuary. However, vehicle access is permitted on the beach, as well as on the estuary shore near the river mouth. Most motorists are very considerate, but it is important to be aware of moving vehicles and to respect sensitive areas such as the dunes which contain many rare plants and should not be driven over. The Manawatū Estuary is a tidal area. When exploring the environment, remember to be aware of the incoming tide. Check tide tables if spending time on the beach or other tidal areas and allow plenty of time and a clear pathway to safety. The estuary can experience strong winds and inclement weather at times so please check conditions before travelling and be aware that they can change quickly with little notice.

Mudwort Limosella lineata Native. Not threatened. This tiny dune wetland herb turned up in the Dune Garden in 2023 in a single patch which hopefully will increase over time. Found in other dune wetlands on this coast, and a few Estuaries too, it is not found in the Manawatū Estuary at the time of writing. One of the nice attributes of this species is that it can flower at any time of the year, but you must look closely – the flower is ca. 2 mm in width. Often growing in dense patches over open mudflats, these patches can be green, brown or red. It can also host a rare form of endemic yellow rust (fungus), which until a few patches were noticed north of Foxton Beach in 2023, had not been registered anywhere since 1970. NZPCN-Limosella australis iNaturalist-Limosella australis

The Papangaio Te Wharangi Manawatū Estuary Management Plan 2025-2035 was launched March 2025. The launch celebrated the work to prepare the plan by the Estuary community and the proposed actions for the next 10 years. Click on this link to explore the Management Plan . This whole process involved much dedicated work by all concerned and a brief summary resulted in a joint application by Horowhenua District Council and Horizons Regional Council for the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) SuperCollab award. Although unsuccessful, it in no way distracts from the considerable effort that is being put in to making this special place even more special. The 90 second presentation that accompanied this application is given via this video link. Bi-monthly meetings were held with representatives from local iwi, District, Regional and Government Agencies, plus numerous local organisations and interested individuals resulting in this comprehensive plan going forward. A major part of this was the formation of sub-groups to plan and implement actions to improve and increase knowledge on this special place. The full plan is comprehensive, but the abridged version of actions and the status of what has been carried out is available here and will be up-dated on a regular basis as additional work is undertaken. Also, newsletters will be produced quarterly and newspaper and magazine articles uploaded that relate to the estuary can be viewed by clicking on the links. The local Iwi and hapū histories of Ngāti Rawkawa te au ki te Tonga, Rangitāne o Manawatū and Muaūpoko can be viewed in sections 2, 3 and 4 respectively in the Management Plan . 7 activity working groups within the plan that implement the protection and restoration of the Estuary. Each group has a Team Lead. The Team Leads are responsible for driving the activity towards the objectives laid out in Appendix 5 of the plan. The Team Leads, which are for the most part volunteers, report on the outcomes and future planning at each 6 monthly meeting. If the Activity Group cannot achieve a task, it will be escalated to the MEMT secretariate to ensure the task is progressed. It may be either justified why it should not proceed; or an alternative approach found. An alternative approach may include sourcing funding for a person to carry out a task if a volunteer is unavailable, or for resources or expertise needed. Flora (Native plants) The role of this activity group is to optimise habitat to support abundant populations of at risk and threatened species at the Estuary. Initial focus is for at least 10 plant types; with at least two plant types suitable for each of the 3 ecosystems: Estuarine, Xeric and Dune Wetlands. This group has two areas of work: Dune Gardens – every fortnight, early Sunday mornings. and secondly those people who work from home germinating seed and on-growing cuttings. To volunteer: If the Dune Gardens work interests you contact team lead Arnim Littek If wanting to help with other plant growing, please call in to the Wildlife Foxton Trust office, 207 Seabury Avenue, Foxton Beach. Monday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings – ask for Nola Fox or email: info@wildlifefoxton.nz Fauna (Native animals including invertebrates) The role of this activity group is to optimise habitats to support abundant populations for at least 4 species that are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered and located at Papangaio Te Wharangi Manawatū Estuary. This is a wide range with a lot of work needing to be carried out in surveying invertebrates, and other animals as well as supplementing existing bird surveys. To volunteer: Please call in to the Wildlife Foxton Trust office Monday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings – ask for Dave Coles or Vai Gordon, or email: info@wildlifefoxton.nz Pest Plants (Weekly Wednesdays and fortnightly Sunday mornings) The role of this activity group is to: To reduce or eliminate pest plants to allow native plants to take their place. To ensure that where pest plants are removed suitable native plants are available to replace them before new pest plants take over again. To ensure that once pest plants are eliminated, regular inspections occur to remove any regrowth before it becomes a problem. Wednesday mornings are in need of physically active people willing and able to chop and weed pest plants. To volunteer: Please call in to the Wildlife Foxton Trust office Wednesday mornings – ask for Dave Coles and he can take you down to where they are working. Led by Dr. Bob Hoskins who can be contacted on 063637081 or email: info@wildlifefoxton.nz The fortnightly Dune Garden work parties also focus on weed removal, including marram grass, and some reinstatement of plants damaged by storm and/or motorised machines in the dunes. To volunteer: Email Arnim Littek for more details. Pest Animals (trapping programme supported by Horizons Regional Council and Predator Free NZ. Administered by Wildlife Foxton Trust) The role of this activity group is to support a resilient indigenous species population that dominates the area through implementation of the pest animal management plan. Wildlife Foxton Trust has a rapidly growing pest animal trapping programme with already nearly 200 traps in backyards, estuary edges, in the Ramsar site and on adjacent farmland. Work is not for the fainthearted as it requires clearing and cleaning of traps and resetting as well as being able to walk trap lines. This programme is only happening through the strong support of Horizons Regional Council and Predator Free NZ. To volunteer: Please call in to the Wildlife Foxton Trust office Wednesday mornings – ask for Suzanne and she can take you through what is involved for getting our trap lines checked regularly or email: traps@wildlifefoxton.nz Water Quality The role of this activity group is to achieve a standard of healthy water quality where native species and people can thrive and prosper. Currently the group is working with Horizons Regional Council to get water quality records in easy-to-understand language for people in the community to understand. They are also looking into the process for notification of contamination events, and the status of the two closed landfills at Foxton and Foxton Beach. To volunteer: Email Kath Lane to find out how you can join in. Dune Protection The role of this activity group is to work with other activity groups to identify and implement protection, rehabilitation, maintenance and development for the dunes. Also to plan and implement protection to minimise impacts caused by the various groups that use the dunes. Erosion is also monitored. To volunteer: Email Grant Purdie for details. Community Engagement The role of this activity group is to have effective communication channels to all interested parties, including hapū of Ngāti Raukawa to ensure support is garnered and collaboration opportunities available. This includes strong engagement with schools and establishing high National visibility of the estuary as a Ramsar site. Currently this group works alongside Wildlife Foxton Trust volunteers to create a quarterly newsletter which you can read via the link. We are looking for an editor/producer to liaise with all the groups for newsletter content. We are also looking for a social media whiz to promote the estuary and the work of the volunteers. To help with any aspect of community engagement, email Nola Fox at info@wildlifefoxton.nz FOXTON BEACH COASTAL RESERVES MANAGEMENT PLAN In 2009 Horowhenua District Council produced a Management Plan for the Foxton Beach Coastal Reserve. The area covered by this is shown on the map below and while it only touches on part of the Ramsar site it is adjacent to it and many of the problems and uses are similar, so it is worth including a link to the Plan for reference as parts of it can now be enforced by Council, especially with the new Bylaws that are now in place not only there but for the whole district.

Calendar of Upcoming Events Events will be added to the calendar as they are notified. Only those of particular interest to the estuary and its fauna and flora will be included here and encompass all Horowhenua, Palmerston North and Whanganui. These will only be those that are open meetings with main organisations being Manawatu Estuary Trust, Manawatu Estuary Management Team, Wildlife Foxton Trust, SoRT, Forest and Bird and the Manawatu branch of Birds New Zealand. Planting days, weeding sessions and welcome/farewell the Godwits will also be included. See Events for more details. Space is limited for each event but clicking on the time will show more details, including venue, speaker and a link, if available. By clicking on the location, a google map will become visible. Posters for upcoming events, if available, follow the calendar so please scroll down. Events The Manawatū Estuary Trust and several local organisations and Agencies periodically hold events which enhance both peoples' enjoyment and protection of the area, giving the opportunity to learn more about this very special place. There are two main activities which occur once or twice a year and several, mainly centred around weeding pest plants which are undertaken on either weekly or a fortnightly basis. Dates for the two big events will be published on both this and on the Wildlife Foxton Trust website, plus other local organisations media and through Horizons Regional Council and Horowhenua District Council. Following local facebook pages will also notify of up-coming events. Details on main calendar if available. Welcome and Farewell the Godwits The estuary hosts a farewell (March/April) and a welcome back (September/October) for the migrating Bar-tailed Godwit (see calendar for details) which use the area either as a summer residence or a stop-off resting/feeding place en-route to other places. Some birds on their way back to Aotearoa New Zealand from Alaska can fly 11-13,000 km non-stop to get here in as little as 7 days. The event is held around the viewing platform on Dawick Street and hosted by the Manawatū Estuary Trust who provide spotting scopes to view the birds at close range. Dr Phil Battley, a renowned authority, acts as master of ceremonies, providing an insight into these birds and their amazing flights Planting Sessions For several years, Horowhenua District Council (HDC) and Horizons Regional Council (HRC) have been funding both the purchase and growing of Kōwhangatara/Spinifex and Pingao for the dunes at Foxton Beach to aid stabilisation of the dunes and thanks to a generous donation from Horizons Regional Council's Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi Community Response Fund, Wildlife Foxton Trust were able to successfully grow 3000 Kōwhangatara/Spinifex plants in 2023 and 2024. In 2024 Central Districts 4 X 4 Club also donated over a 1000 Spinifex plants. Wildlife Foxton Trust continues to grow both species. Volunteers from a number of local and regional groups, plus representatives from both HRC and HDC participated in the planting of these important species for the protection of the dunes. Wildlife Foxton Trust and Manawatū Estuary Trust websites will include notices of further planting days, as will both facebook pages and other publications in the area. Weeding Sessions One of the main areas of concern around the estuary and the area in general is the profusion of invasive weeds that are taking over, crowding out native species, many of which are at risk. A number of local enthusiasts spend a considerable amount of time trying to keep them under control and are to be found every Wednesday morning and alternate Sunday mornings at various points around the estuary attending to pest species. It is not all hard work and is a brilliant way to learn about the special plants that are to be found in this amazing place. If you are interested in helping with this important activity, please make contact through the contact MET page. MAJOR CLEARANCE SESSIONS Apart from the weeding sessions mentioned above, periodically groups come together at various locations such as the loop at Foxton and Waitarere Beach, to undertake major clearance of pest plants such as poplar, willow, ragwort and acacia. Major rubblish clearance is also carried out. These are normally run in conjunction with Horowhenua District Council so keep looking at the events calendar for any upcoming events

Kekeno/New Zealand Fur Seal Arctocephalus forsteri Native. Not threatened. In recent years, at least one adult can be viewed fairly frequently in the vicinity of the boat club, either swimming close to shore or sleeping on the rocks. At certain times of the year, usually from May to September when pups start to be weaned from their mothers, they may come ashore and are more frequently being seen at Foxton Beach. They are usually just resting so advisable to leave them alone but if unsure consult DoC fact sheet for advice. Males are larger than females and are polygamous, mating with numerous females, Pups are born nine months after mating. Small fish and squid comprise the main elements of their diet, but larger fish will also be taken, and this is where conflict between humans and seals can arise with some being caught in nets. More details can be found on the DoC factsheet New Zealand Fur Seal fact.

Mostly known to the public from finds under driftwood, in fact the majority of katipo live in native dune vegetation that has evolved to thrive in moving sand, eg. Kowhangatara , Pingao , Autetaranga or Taataraheke. Because of this, katipō are a good indicator of the state of health of a dune system, like a coal miner's canary. These four posters were produced by Arnim Littek for the 2025 Coastal Restoration Trust Annual Conference. Clicking on each will open a larger version on a separate page. Katipō Latrodectus katipo Endemic. At risk-declining. Katipō is an endangered, endemic species. It is also absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act. Its habitat is almost exclusively sand dune systems, through much of coastal Aotearaoa New Zealand, except the south of the South Island. Closely related to the Australian redback, they can interbreed to a degree, which is a problem since redbacks have already made homes in several locations in this country. Katipō come in two varieties. North of a line across the middle of the North Island, one finds predominantly black katipō South of that line one finds only the more well-known red katipō with a prominent red stripe on their abdomen. Sexual dimorphism is high - males are substantially smaller than females, and have a prominent white component in their coloration, as do juvenile females. Spiderlings are almost completely white. Both adult female red and black katipō can have other coloration than the abdominal stripe, but equally, often they have little or none. A black katipō with no coloration is difficult to discern from an all-black false katipō - the diagnostic criterion in this extreme case is the eye spacing. These enigmatic spiders are resident in the Dune Garden . More information can be found on iNaturalist here. Sutton, M.E., Christensen, B.R. and Hutchenson, J.A. 2006. Field Identification of Katipo . DoC Research and Development Series 237. wolf spider Seashore Wolf Spider Anoteropsis literalis Endemic. At risk-naturally uncommon. Nearly thirty species of wolf spiders are found throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, many being widespread and inhabiting a wide variety of landscapes such as woodlands and gardens. Three species are recorded from the estuary. The Seashore Wolf Spider however, has more specialised requirements and is found in sandy areas around the coast. It is well adapted to life as a solitary hunter being extremely well camouflaged as can be seen in the adjoining photograph. Adults are reported to be nocturnal but are easily disturbed while young are said to be active during the day. The round, silken egg sac is carried around by the female and once hatched young are reputed to be carried around for a period of time before they leave and go their own separate ways. iNaturalist-Seashore Wolf Spider Nursery web Nursery Web Spider Dolomedes minor Endemic. Not threatened. Although a widespread species throughout Aotearoa New Zealand it is rarely seen in the flesh as it is nocturnal, spending most of the day in hiding amongst foliage. What appears to be a mass of web wrapped around the top of bushes is the first sign of their presence and it in these that the female lays her eggs which she guards until they hatch and for a short while afterwards until they disperse. A photograph appears on the beach mysteries page. Unlike many spiders all Dolomedes species, of which there are around 300 species worldwide, hunt prey rather than build a web to catch flying insects Wikipedia-Dolomedes minor

This group of animals in not well represented around the estuary with very few species likely to be seen and then, most are most likely to have been introduced. There is every likelihood that in the near future some marine species may crop up, either as live specimens or washed-up fatalities as has happened on several beaches along this coast in recent years. Sea Turtles and Sea Snakes are the most likely candidates. A checklist of species recorded from the area is included here . 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 visible. Web address links are edited to fit within the static species columns. List can be downloaded, and additions added for personal use be "save as". These will not be saved to web. The latest report by the Department of Conservation on the status of Amphibians in Aotearoa Nea Zealand has just been published (February 2025) and is downloadable here . Northern Grass Skink Oligosoma polychroma Endemic. Not threatened Sadly, this was until quite recently the common species seen around Foxton Beach, but it is the introduced Plague Skink (see pest fauna) from Australia that is now the most frequently encountered. The two species are very similar and descriptions of how to tell them apart is described in this DoC poster. Further inland this is still a common species Occurs in a wide range of habitats but most often in rough pasture and some urban gardens where is shelters amongst wood piles and other garden items. Also, likes to bask on sunny days and are usually first seen as they scurry away. They can be long lived and reach maturity at around four years old, and they give birth to live young. Diet consists of small insects with some fruit when in season. New Zealand Herpetological Society-Northern Grass Skink Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Native non-resident. Vagrant . The Olive Ridley is the smallest of the seven species of sea turtle that are found mainly in the warmer waters of the world, including periodically northern regions of Aotearoa New Zealand. Growing up to 80 cm and weighing around 50 kg when adult with both sexes similar in size but females have a more rounded carapace (shell). Recorded periodically, its status in Aotearoa New Zealand is listed only as a native none resident but on a global scale is included under the IUCN categorizations as Vulnerable and decreasing. It is however probably the most abundant species. Two have been found on local beaches in the last two years, including one at Foxton Beach in October 2024. Both were alive, but in very poor condition and neither survived. Olive Ridley Project

Beach Mysteries A walk along Foxton beach following a high tide or a storm event can be rewarding, although sometimes rather sad, depending on what has been washed up. For the most part findings consist mainly of shells but by keeping your eyes peeled, some other interesting items can be observed, a few of which are given below. Storms can cause devastation for some creatures, particularly sea birds and to a lesser extent Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) so please report these if found. Forms and contact details are given under the Research tab. Bluebottle Physalia spp Not every summer but most, there is mass strandings of 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, Bluebottles have no mechanism to achieve this and rely solely on wind for their movement. The sting of this species can be quite painful, and care should be taken when a "bloom" comes ashore. Wikipedia-Bluebottle Kōpūwaitōtara/Porcupine Fish Allomycterus pilatus One of the more unusual sights seen around the tide line is this heart-shaped structure. It is the swim bladder of the Porcupine Fish. Occasionally the intact body of this spiny fish is also found. Porcupine Fish are a more common species in northern Aotearoa New Zealand than in the south. It is a species frequenting depths of up to 100 m. They are able to inflate their body when threatened and if found on the beach, avoid as they contain a toxin . iNaturalist-Porcupine Fish Ngaokeote/Scarlet Tubeworm Galeolaria hystrix One of the most unusual items you may be lucky enough to find on the beach appears to be either a piece of coral or some cement and its hardness would seem to indicate that it could be the latter. If you look closely at the texture, it consists of a lot of bumps with some holes at one end, some of which appear to have tube-like structures at the entrance. Scarlet Tubeworms construct calcareous tubes as habitats, which frequently become fused together. Wikipedia-Galeolaria Ram's Horn Shell Spirula spirula Although this seems very shell-like, it is in fact the internal flotation mechanism of a species of deep-water squid. This is a tiny species, reaching a length of only 45 mm and living at depths of up to 1000 m. These shells are extremely light and very buoyant, floating on the surface they are carried on the ocean currents and turn up in their hundreds on beaches. The live squid is capable of emitting a green light from a photophore (cell) located at the tip of its mantle. Wikipedia-Ram's Horn Shell Kaireka/European Skylark Alauda arvensis Like many other species of introduced birds, mainly perching birds, it was in the 1860's that saw the first influx after which the quickly became established and soon spread throughout the country. They are a common bird in the Foxton area and are frequently heard in the spring when male fly high uttering their distinctive, melodious calls. Birds are often disturbed in the dunes, and it is then that their footprints can be found. BirdsNZ-Skylark Sambar Deer Rusa unicolor This species of deer is only found on the North Island and the Manawatū/Whanganui region is one of two strongholds for this species, the other being Hawke's Bay. Tracks can often be seen in the sand and is generally the only sign these animals are in the area. It is thought they periodically cross the river at low tide. They are an introduced species and in their homeland of Southeast Asia they are classified as vulnerable. Wikipedia-Sambar Deer Mussel Beard Quite often when you find mussel shells on the beach they may have attached to them what appears to be hair-like structures. These appear similar to a beard which gives them their common name. The technical term for these is byssus and they are formed by many species of bivalves (mussel family) and are secreted along sections of the shell. They are used to anchor them to a surface such as rocks where they create a hold-fast in strong currents. Wikipedia-Byssus Kararua/Dwarf Janthina Janthina exigua Among the many shells of various types and colours is sometimes seen this unusual shell. Looking more like that of a land snail it is a species of marine snail. This is the smallest of the five species at around 15 mm. The unique colouration serves a specific purpose and this is to do with its lifestyle of living on, and feeding off Bluebottles and By-the-wind sailor. They are capable of free-living by producing a raft of bubbles. More details are given in the link below. Wikipedia-Janthina Nursery Web Spider Dolomedes minor This may look like a web as used by many species of spiders to catch their prey , but it is in fact a case made out of silk in which she lays here eggs which she guards. If you look closely the numerous dark dots that you can see are in actual facts young spiderling that have recently hatched but not yet ventured out. Looking out from the Pinewood Road car park towards the saltmarsh, a number of these can be observed. Main species page Kowhai Sophora microphylla The seeds and seed pods of this familiar plant are not often seen on the beach but with the heavy rain and gale-force winds of recent times they are occasionally washed or blown on to the beach environs. They are a popular plant around the area in gardens, and their bright yellow flowers with an abundance of nectar are a magnet for Tui. They form as small tree which can reach 6 metres in height but rarely become a problem. Wikipedia-kowhai