How do so many amazing seabirds repeatedly end up at the Manawatu Estuary? New research indicates they smell their way there.
Dogs of the air?! Nature really is awesome.
Wrybills feeding on the estuary yesterday
We have Wrybills feeding at the estuary at the moment.
Here’s a great shot taken yesterday by Terry Oliver-Ward. (Click it to see it full size and here are some more great Wrybill shots taken yesterday by Terry.)
The Wrybill is the only bird in the world with a laterally-curved bill (always curved to the right), which it uses to reach insect larvae under rounded riverbed stones. Wrybills are completely dependent on braided rivers in the South Island for breeding; and, after breeding, almost the entire population migrates north to winter in the harbours of the northern North Island.