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
Matuku moana/White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
Native. Not threatened.
The White-faced Heron is the most common species of heron and is found throughout the country. They are a relatively new species to Aotearoa New Zealand, being self-introduced from Australia in the late 1940's. With the abundance of food and very little competition from similar species, population expansion was rapid.
These elegant birds are solitary when foraging for food as they walk slowly in shallow water waiting for any sign of movement. Once detected, prey is seized with a rapid lunge of the beak. Food consists of fish and crabs in shallow water, also frogs, lizards and worms.
A bulky mass of sticks and twigs usually constitute a nest and are generally built in the crowns of trees, usually. Clutch size varies from three to five eggs but usually only two or three chicks survive.
They nest annually in the Foxton Beach area and young can be seen around the estuary from late spring onwards.
Kōtuku/White Heron Ardea modesta
Native. Threatened-nationally critical.
While widespread in Australia, the South Pacific and Asia where it is common, there is only one breeding colony in Aotearoa New Zealand and that is at Waitangiroto Nature Reserve in Westland. This was already established when discovered in 1865 and the population is currently thought to be around 200. During the winter these disperse around the country., occasionally being seen at the estuary.
It is an elegant species with pure white plumage sporting a bright yellow beak and striking yellow eye. It is a revered species because of its elusiveness that in Māoridom there is a saying "he kōtuku rerenga tahi" which literally means the bird of a single flight or once in a lifetime sighting. The similar Little Egret is much smaller and has a black bill and also turns up at the estuary from time to time.
Diet consists of small fish, crabs, frogs and aquatic invertebrates.
