--- ONOKE SPIT FYI ---
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:03 pm
UPDATE FROM ANDY COCKROFT ON ONOKE SPIT (In the Wairarapa)
PLEASE KEEP OFF THE SPIT DURING THE NESTING SEASON
Are people keen to do a cleanup/overnight trip etc there next year?
Caspian Tern News
It's been a long time since I last emailed and it is now the time of year
again when the Caspian terns are breeding at Onoke Spit (so too the
Black-backed Gulls and probably the Banded Dotterels). I have recently
visited the Spit and saw around 30-40 terns either sitting on nests or
fiercely defending their territory (see photo). The colony is near the
opening in the bar: the grid ref is about R28 885 771 - see also the red
line on the map below. So if you are driving on the pit please take care to
avoid this area. Visitors on foot need to be aware too how easily disturbed
the terns are - please don't approach closer than 100m or so. Remember also
please to keep your dog on a lead, or preferably during the breeding season,
at home.
Other News
DoC Wairarapa Area has been working to get an interpretive sign made for
Onoke Spit, setting out information about the animal and plant life in the
area. We are hoping to have it in place before Christmas, near the access
point at the end of Beach Rd . This project has also been contributed to by
South Wairarapa Rotary - thanks Rotary!
Recently SW Rotary also hosted a very successful beach clean up starting at
Lake Ferry, and working eastward along the coast and winding up with a BBQ
at Whangaimoana. People on that side of Onoke are obviously tidier because
we didn't collect quite as much rubbish as at the Spit cleanup last Seaweek.
That said there were about two or three trailer loads and once more old
tires seemed to make up the bulk of the refuse.
Next Seaweek, which is the first week of March 2009, we are likely to be
running an activity of some sort at the Spit - so keep it free and we will
be in touch soon with more details.
That's all from me for now. Enjoy yourselves at the Spit and please take
care of our native plants and animals while you are down there!
PLEASE KEEP OFF THE SPIT DURING THE NESTING SEASON
Are people keen to do a cleanup/overnight trip etc there next year?
Caspian Tern News
It's been a long time since I last emailed and it is now the time of year
again when the Caspian terns are breeding at Onoke Spit (so too the
Black-backed Gulls and probably the Banded Dotterels). I have recently
visited the Spit and saw around 30-40 terns either sitting on nests or
fiercely defending their territory (see photo). The colony is near the
opening in the bar: the grid ref is about R28 885 771 - see also the red
line on the map below. So if you are driving on the pit please take care to
avoid this area. Visitors on foot need to be aware too how easily disturbed
the terns are - please don't approach closer than 100m or so. Remember also
please to keep your dog on a lead, or preferably during the breeding season,
at home.
Other News
DoC Wairarapa Area has been working to get an interpretive sign made for
Onoke Spit, setting out information about the animal and plant life in the
area. We are hoping to have it in place before Christmas, near the access
point at the end of Beach Rd . This project has also been contributed to by
South Wairarapa Rotary - thanks Rotary!
Recently SW Rotary also hosted a very successful beach clean up starting at
Lake Ferry, and working eastward along the coast and winding up with a BBQ
at Whangaimoana. People on that side of Onoke are obviously tidier because
we didn't collect quite as much rubbish as at the Spit cleanup last Seaweek.
That said there were about two or three trailer loads and once more old
tires seemed to make up the bulk of the refuse.
Next Seaweek, which is the first week of March 2009, we are likely to be
running an activity of some sort at the Spit - so keep it free and we will
be in touch soon with more details.
That's all from me for now. Enjoy yourselves at the Spit and please take
care of our native plants and animals while you are down there!
