Farewell Spit Eco Tours Blog

Murray’s last trip for the year provided him the opportunity to see the Curlew again, last time out about 3 days ago he saw four of them. The Far Eastern Curlew are the largest of the migratory waders to visit the Spit and we do not see them often. They are similar in size to a White Faced Heron and almost the same colour as a Godwit.

 As the Moon rose last night Collingwood residents were given a rare treat as a pod of more than fifty Dolphins cruised past the beachfront only a few hundred metres from the shore, they were big ones and there was some speculation as to whether or not they were Pilot Whales but a wee boat went out amongst them and the occupants confirmed that they were Dolphins, steaming along at high speed rounding up fish like it was going out of fashion. Dolphins are common in Golden Bay but don’t often come that close to shore near here.

We have been expecting to see Variable Oystercatcher chicks for the past week or two but have seen none. Until today that is!

The little rascals have been keeping well out of sight untl today. Tim and Elaine saw five pairs between them, ranging from a day or two old to just fledged.

Just through the gate and halfway between the high and low tide marks another Sunfish washed up, this is the second in a very short time and very accessable for the public as at he moment it is only a short walk from the end of the main road.

There have been numerous sightings of banded birds on the trips this summer.

More so this year than any other.

John saw a Godwit with a yellow flag or band on each leg today they were high on the left leg and low on the right.

December the 29th is the date for this Summer’s Aorere Raft Race reporting time at Beardmore’s beach is Noon for a 1.00pm start.

On the same day there will be a Market in the main street of Collingwood from 10.00am till 2.00pm.