Manawatu Estuary

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Manawatu river mouth and estuary
Manawatu Estuary 11.JPG
Manawatu Estuary at Foxton Beach
Location North Island, New Zealand
Coordinates 40°28′37″S175°12′43″E / 40.4768489°S 175.2119703°E / -40.4768489; 175.2119703 Coordinates: 40°28′37″S175°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 Manawatu River, near Foxton 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

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References

  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.