Warrington Reserve Group news

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG AT WARRINGTON RESERVE COMING UP SOON

Further investigations will be carried out into the old Maori village site located at the north end of Warrington Spit in the next month or so (depending on the time it takes for the red tape to be cut). This must happen before the reserve can be replanted. There is an opportunity for the community to help with an archaeological dig and for the community to get to know our older history and to possibly get some of this amazingly untold and ignored part of our heritage told more widely, eg through proper signs etc. Look for notices or contact us to find out more.

BAYWALK A WINNER

52 of us attended the latest 'Baywalk' to learn about the huge local wilderness area just out our back door – the estuary. Jim Fyfe and Tony Brett provided insight into the animals living in the estuarine ooze and the water too, while Derek Onley provided his great knowledge on the beautiful birdlife abounding on the mudflats and the issues affecting them. Shags are down in numbers over the last few years, perhaps due to a lack of roosting trees from which to spot prey. Cockles were discussed in depth, with the walkers keen to know if the cockle population is healthy, coming away aware that there is some concern amongst scientists as to whether this is the case or not.

HECTOR'S DOLPHINS: IN TROUBLE?

Two Hector's Dolphins were spotted in the waves on the afternoon of the Baywalk, but how many there are locally is a burning question. Reserve group members are suggesting that we need a serious study to find out, given that in recent years three local dolphins have died in fishing nets. Eight was the guesstimate of their population before these three were killed – can they survive? Can local people help find out? We would like to know. Contacts: Karen on 4822762 or Joseph on 4822006

by Joseph Dougherty

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