Update February 2022

To celebrate International Volunteer Day, a group of 17 volunteers from ADInstruments (see photo) chose to volunteer at the lagoon on December 14th 2021. They worked to free shrubs and trees from overgrowth at the Inverary Street reserve and on the western causeways before being treated to a wonderful afternoon tea at Jenny Rowley’s home. The committee is very appreciative of the work this group undertook and their experience at this type of work meant a pleasing amount was achieved. We are hoping Jenny’s generosity will entice them to choose to volunteer here again.

Last year during the university ‘O’ week a bus load of students from one of the hostels volunteering at the lagoon. It was delightful to meet and work with these young people as they start their time at university. Volunteering was offered again this year, but the risk of students coming from all over the country, introducing Covid into our community seemed too great and so we have declined.

The current red traffic light status also prevents us for holding an open day. When this status is adjusted, we will consider if we can hold this popular event again.

Bird of the Month –   Kōtuku Ngutupapa (Royal Spoonbill)

Spoonbills have recently returned from their breeding site and can be seen feeding in the lagoon. Young birds will be accompanying their parents and can be distinguished from breeding adults by their more pristine white plumage and a lack of headdress – those long feathers on the back of the head.

Spoonbills are believed to have arrived from Australia. They have been spotted infrequently in this country since the 1860’s but an established breeding population is quite recent. Spoonbills were first recorded at the Hawksbury Lagoon in 1989 by Derek Onley, the ornithologist on the committee. Numbers throughout the country are low, and our lagoon is an important site for viewing these rather shy birds.

For further information go to NZBirds Online

Ruth Ferguson, Chair, Hawksbury Lagoon Committee