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
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.
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, katipo are a good indicator of the state of health of a dune system, like a coal miner's canary.
Pictures to the left depict moulting spider and female caring for egg sac.
More information on this enigmatic species can be found on iNaturalist here.
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.
