World Ocean Day (today) seems like a good time to catch up with recent happenings along the coast.
A few days ago there was a big wash of seaweed along the high tide line. Big clumps every metre or so all along the shore, some kelp, some more 'leafy'.
A few days later a big carpet of driftwood 'mulch' appeared just south of the river mouth. In it were a lot of white 5-armed starfish and even a live hermit crab in a big shell.
When I touched the shell the hermit crab was in it promptly withdrew.
One morning I noticed that the blue track marker at the beach end of the north track off Reay Mackay Grove is now well hidden behind a small dune. Soon the word Access
at the bottom may be swallowed up.
I dug out a photo from when the post was installed. You can see how much the sand has built up since then.
Today a large fishing boat was motoring past from north to south.
Our seemingly resident pair of Caspian Terns are hanging out not far from the river. When I zoom in I think I can see both have silver-coloured bands on both legs.
This Karoro | Black-backed gull was comfy on one of the many big clumps of river weed that have washed down lately.
This group of three Tōrea pango | Variable Oystercatchers are in the area where some of last year's chicks hatched. This must be a couple of adults and their chick — notice the bird in the middle still has grey legs, not the pink of the adults.
Most days there are Dotterels around. A Pohowera | Banded dotterel flew by, while a Black-fronted Dotterel went incognito in its mask.
The Poaka | Pied Stilts seem to be claiming more territory along the coast, but some still like to hang out in the lagoon out in front of 1 Reay Mackay Grove.
Thanks to a couple of residents from Sarah Street who alerted me to the special day when I passed them on my way to the beach.
World Ocean Day belongs to all groups and individuals, collectively, everywhere. It’s about how we can create a better future with an abundant ocean and a stable climate, by working together.
