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Manawatu Estuary facts for kids

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Manawatu river mouth and estuary
Manawatu Estuary 11.JPG
Manawatu Estuary at Foxton Beach
Location North Island, New Zealand
Nearest city Foxton Beach
Area 200 hectares (490 acres)
Official name: Manawatu river mouth and estuary
Designated: 25 July 2005
Reference #: 1491

The Manawatu Estuary is an estuary at the mouth of the Manawatu River, near Foxton Beach in the lower North Island of New Zealand. It is a wetland of international significance as one of the few Ramsar sites in New Zealand. At approximately 250 hectares (620 acres), the Manawatu Estuary is the largest estuary in the lower North Island.

A total of 93 different bird species have been identified at the estuary. In 2005 the estuary attained Ramsar status.

During spring migratory birds arrive for the summer at the estuary, including the bar-tailed godwit, red knot, Pacific golden plover, Japanese snipe, wandering tattler and whimbrel.

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