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Waders and Wonders of Orewa Estuary, an exhibition opening at Estuary Arts Centre this month, will portray the birds, plants and marine animals of the estuary.
The opening of the exhibition coincides with the arrival of the eastern bar tailed godwits, after their long flight from Alaska where they nested in the northern summer.
Pauline Smith of Forest and Bird Hibiscus Coast says that the exhibition was first envisaged more than a year ago.
“We want to raise awareness about this amazing environment,” she says. “Work we are doing at Orewa Estuary complements the Pest Free Peninsula project, and when animal pest control is complete, will be an important part of the North West WildlInk programme.”
Under expert guidance from Val Cuthbert, three successful printmaking workshops were held and the 30 resulting prints will be on display.
There will also be a mural and Silverdale School is supporting this part of the project with students from years 1–4 displaying drawings related to the estuary. Visitors to the exhibition are invited to add to the mural.
Pauline says that Forest and Bird have had amazing support for the exhibition, with three photographers, Philip Moll, Matt van der Linden and Donald Snook, offering outstanding images of birds to be found in the estuary.
There is also a selection of photographs of birds which should be living in the Estuary and currently are not. These birds should appear of their own accord when animal pest control, targeting rats, stoats, possums and hedgehogs, is underway there on a consistent basis.
Isee video have created a film which will be running throughout the exhibition, highlighting which birds use the estuary, species that could live there and the animal pests to be removed for this to happen.
Support has been received from Auckland Council and the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, and the conservation plan Council has had written will be presented on September 27 at one of the three talks Forest and Bird will host this month and next. There will also be three walks around the estuary (see What’s On for details).
Waders and Wonders of Orewa Estuary is on at Estuary Arts Centre, Western Reserve, Orewa, September 30–October 29.
