Low tides at Porirua Harbour expose broadmud and sand flats. We show the creatures and birds who share this space.
What make the trails on the sand?
What do stingray holes look like?
Why are there high and low tides?
Where do pied stilts nest?
January
Recreation
February
Fishing
March
Shags
April
Pollution
May
Tides
June
Urban Catchment
July
Pauatahanui Reserve
August
Sediment
September
Creatures Great & Small
October
The Rural Catchment
November
Industrial Catchment
December
The Future
Episode information
What are tides?
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and sun and the rotation of the Earth.
These tidal forces have a major effect on the Harbour. Wikipedia has a comprehensive explanantion at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tide
Where can I find out more about eel grass?
The Guardians of Pauatahanui Inlet website has a good explanation at www.gopi.org.nz/eel-grass
NIWA has a study looking at sea grass (eel grass) in various areas of the country at http://www.niwa.co.nz/publications/wa/vol15-no1-march-2007/comparing-seagrass meadows-across-new-zealand
Where can I find more about the creatures of the Inter-Tidal zone?
TeAra encyclopedia has some information at http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/estuaries/4
Landcare has a great resource showing all the common animals with descriptions and diagrams at http://www.landcare.org.nz/files/file/368/turning-the-tide-part-10.pdf
How many species of wading birds are there?
Te Ara encyclopedia has a general description of the 60 species observed in New Zealand at http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/wading-birds/1
What the contact details for the Kapiti Kiwi Conservation Club?
The Kiwi Conservation Club is part of Forest and Bird. The website with contact details is www.kcc.org.nz
