11 of us set out on a lovely sunny but cool day to explore the 50-hectare wildlife reserve. We started off with a circular track around a picnic area and lake. From there we followed the red track to The Thorpe Viewing hide. Parts of this are on a boardwalk and at high tide it can go below water. We were lucky as although we heard water it didn’t come up through the boardwalk. At the hide, we were not quite so lucky as there were not too many birds on show for us. It did make a good photo spot though. We retraced our steps back to the main pathway and followed the main track across the reserve and took a detour out to the Estuary Viewing Hide. Spoonbills usually gather here in their multitudes, but not today. They had decided to go further into the inlet. Back out onto Gray’s Road we walked along the Te Ara Piko (meaning wandering pathway) to Motukaraka Point where we enjoyed morning tea. Then it was back towards Pauatahanui but crossing the road and walking out along the North Basin to the Freeston Pond, which went past another hide. Then it was along the road and through the village for a cuppa at Groundup Café where we spent another lovely hour just chatting.

Leader – Judith

Walkers – Linda, Suz, Fran, Anne-Mette, Mark, Helen, Rob, Sue, Denise, and Lynn