Kuaka

The craziness of the past two years has put a hold on travelling the world for most of us, but not for one special manu that has continued to migrate thousands of miles across the globe. The kuaka (bar-tailed godwit) frequents our coastlines for the summer each year, congregating at our mudflats and sandy shores in a mottled and timely fashion around the beginning of September. The 11,000 kilometres they cross in just 8 days is no mean feat - it is actually the longest migratory flight of any bird in the whole world!

It’s a privilege to have them here on Waiheke too. If you visit Huruhi Bay and sit quietly on the shore in front of Piritahi Marae, you’ll have a front-row view of these marvellous birds. One thing you may notice is how easy it is to not notice them. They stand tall and still, their long slender bills tucked neatly behind dappled wings. With plumage matching the array of coloured pebbles in the mud, it is easy to walk by and not spot them at all.

If you sit still and quiet for long enough (or lie on your stomach in the mud like I did,) you may even hear quiet chattering as a tarā nui (Caspian turn) flies too close. Or you might see them whip their heads around as the tips of an eagle ray’s wings splash the surface of the water. These regal birds will rest and feed up here on the shores of Aotearoa until March, when they will begin their journey back to Alaska for the breeding season, with a few more pit stops this time including Australia and the Yellow Sea.

Keep your distance and be respectful if you see them as they need all the rest and energy they can get for their long journey north next year!