Environment – Have a wild time this summer

We are so lucky here on the Hibiscus Coast to live in a place where so many people around the world dream of going on holiday. It’s easy to forget that when we’re going about our day to day lives. Not only do we have a beach for every day of the week, but there’s something for nature lovers to enjoy every day of summer, so take the time to slow down and notice nature with your family. 

Here are a few of my favourite things to do with young ones, or the young at heart, over the school summer holidays:

Explore rock pools – we have some amazing places to see weird and wonderful sea creatures. Plan a low tide walk and take the time to look closely at what is moving around amongst the seaweed. I like the walk from Fisherman’s Cove to Army Bay, returning via the Pacific Parade esplanade reserve which is full of birdlife. Arkles Bay also provides a fun adventure, starting at the southern end of the beach, work your way around to the Weiti Estuary and climb the steps up to Ferry Road Reserve. It truly is an alien world in the rock pools, in particular the sea slugs in rainbow colours, the lemon doris for example looks like lemon peel and its eggs are like orange ribbons swirled into a rose shape. 

Go on a night walk – hot summer days can leave us craving the cool of night-time, and the forest is a different world once the sun sets. Look out for glow worms near the waterfall at Shakspear, or wētā and spiders at Alice Eaves Bush or Karaka Cove. Listen for the distinctive sound of the ruru and if you’re lucky you might hear kiwi at Shakespear, or Cook’s petrel calling as they fly overhead. 

Plan for a rainy day – join Forest & Bird’s kids club (KCC) and receive an awesome quarterly magazine as well as invitations to local events and lots of activities on the website. Membership also makes a unique gift for the kids or grandies. 

Learn their name – my daughter and I love the iNaturalist app for learning what the critters we find are called, and it also adds helpful records for ecologists to use to learn more about wildlife populations. Simply take a snap and upload it, the app makes suggestions about what it might be, then experts come back to you overnight with an answer. Make it into a competition to see who can record the most native species.

Want to turn that phone into your family tour guide? Download the free Shakespear Explorer App from SOSSI and add two self-guided trails to your device, featuring hidden interactive signs, videos and stories from the sanctuary, it will help keep all your explorers busy. 

Start thinking about new year’s resolutions – 2025 will be upon us before we know it. How about finding a way to make a difference for wildlife next year? We’re always looking for volunteers, with our Branch Committee, Pest Free Hibiscus Coast Project and Big Manly Dotterel Minders group. There’s a role for everyone so get in touch.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas season. Please remember to be a voice for nature when  you’re out and about, nature needs your help.