Manawatū Estuary

Manawatu river mouth and estuary
Manawatu Estuary at Foxton Beach
Map
LocationNorth Island, New Zealand
Nearest cityFoxton Beach
Coordinates40°28′37″S 175°12′43″E / 40.4768489°S 175.2119703°E / -40.4768489; 175.2119703
Area200 hectares (490 acres)
Official nameManawatu river mouth and estuary
Designated25 July 2005
Reference no.1491[1]

The Manawatu Estuary is an estuary at the mouth of the Manawatū River, near Foxton Beach in the lower North Island of New Zealand. It is a wetland of international significance as one of the few Ramsar sites in New Zealand. At approximately 250 hectares (620 acres),[2] the Manawatu Estuary is the largest estuary in the lower North Island.[3]

A total of 93 different bird species have been identified at the estuary. In 2005 the estuary attained Ramsar status.[4]

During spring migratory birds arrive for the summer at the estuary, including the bar-tailed godwit, red knot, Pacific golden plover, Japanese snipe, wandering tattler and whimbrel.[5]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Manawatu Estuary.
  1. ^ "Manawatu river mouth and estuary". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Manawatu Estuary". The National Wetland Trust. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Manawatu Estuary Management Plan: 2007-2012". Horizons Regional Council. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Manawatu Estuary". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Birsding Sites - Manawatu Estuary". New Zealand Birds Limited. Retrieved 6 February 2013.


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