Shorebirds of the Motueka Sandspit and Estuary

The Motueka sandspit and estuary are wonderful places to view a wide variety of bird life. The mud flats of the estuary provide food for wading birds and the sandspit provides a safe roost-ing place for them at high tide. Two bird species nest along the sandspit during the spring and summer months. They are the variable oystercatcher and the banded dotterel. Three wader species make the long journey from Siberia and Alaska to spend the summer in our area. They are the bar-tailed godwit, the turnstone and the red knot.