TE MATUKU BAY - HIGH TIDE (3.3 m)

- 19 October 2016 -

UPPER BAY

Left: Exposed salt meadow | Right: Tidal channel

Left: Shellspit remnant on left | Right: Tall mangroves edge tidal channel

LOWER BAY

Left: Oyster farm beyond | Right: Passage Rock in far distance

Left: Bush edge joins shellspit | Right: Upper lagoon

Left: Shellspit base | Right: Pohutukawa, taraire, totara

Left: Kauri on skyline | Right: Needlegrass grows sparsely near spit base

Left: Greywacke gully wetland delta | Right: Shellspit hook in distance

Left: Dotterels & Oystercatchers in needlegrass gap | Right: Godwits at lagoon entrance

Left: Lowest section of shellspit | Right: Primary shorebird zone

Tidal action has formed the shellspit: whole cockle shells are deposited at the base then gradually move down to the hook

Shells become progressively smaller as they are washed along. At a certain point they become fine enough to allow needlegrass to establish