Karekare Beach Patrol & Wetland Walk

Karekare Beach is a black sand beach on the edge of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park on Auckland’s west coast. At the base of spectacular rugged cliffs are extensive wetlands, scrubland and sand dune systems that extend southward to Whatipu at the mouth of the Manukau Harbour. Upon arrival, we will undertake a beach patrol of Karekare Beach as part of the Birds New Zealand Beach Patrol Scheme to identify and record any beach wrecked seabirds. From the Pararaha Stream mouth we will walk inland across the dunes to the Pararaha Valley Wetlands to view wetlands birds. After a stop at Tunnel Point, we will return to Karekare along the inland track and Pohutukawa glade. Australasian Bitterns are present in the wetlands, but are seldom seen. Other key species present include: Variable Oystercatcher, Northern NZ Dotterel, Double-banded Plover, White-fronted Tern, NZ Scaup, NZ Grebe, Fernbird, NZ Pipit, Dunnock and Redpoll.