Opis
Since it is protected by a predator-proof fence, Tāwharanui Regional Park offers excellent birding opportunities for rare New Zealand species. There are many walking trails on the 588 hectares connecting wetland, lagoon, beaches, native forest, and farmland. Owned and managed by Auckland Council, Tāwharanui is also popular for swimming and surfing as well as camping. The latter is recommended when looking for North Island Brown Kiwi.
Tāwharanui is home to breeding pairs of North Island Takahe, which are usually seen in the paddocks along the road towards the car park or on the grass along the Ecology+Fisherman track. New Zealand Bellbird have self-reintroduced from Little Barrier Island. Further special birds that are best found on the Ecology and Fisherman track include the North Island Robin, North Island Saddleback, Whitehead, Kakariki Red-crowned Parakeet, New Zealand Kaka, and Brown Teal.
Tāwharanui is also home to seabird breeding colonies including ōi Grey-faced Petrel and Gould's Petrel. Along the beaches there are several New Zealand Dotterel breeding pairs and oystercatchers, and you can see Tara White-fronted Tern, gulls, and shags on the rocks or at sea. Along the lagoon (near the entrance) are often Buff-banded Rail about and Caspian Tern are fishing.
Another reason to visit Tāwharanui is that it is probably the best spot in the Auckland region to see kiwi, namely, North Island Brown Kiwi. A popular place to look for them is on the Mangatawhiri Track, but they are also numerous elsewhere. While you have good chances of running into Morepork already just before dusk, you can go looking for kiwi as soon as the sun has set. They are often heard before seen. Please only use red light!
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Dostęp
Tāwharanui Regional Park is just over an hour from Auckland CBD and 25min from Warkworth by car; there is no public transport. Note that on Saturday, three is a market in Matakana and so traffic in late morning to noon can be slow from Warkworth to Matakana.
There is an automatic gate located at the park entrance at the end of Takatu Road to let you through the predator-proof-fence. Note that this gate opens and closes automatically for any vehicles leaving the park at all times, though entrance is only from 6am to 9pm during daylight saving and from 6am to 7pm during non-daylight saving time. Pedestrian access is open at all times.
From the parking spot just after the lagoon you get to the Mangatawhiri Track (north) and the Māori Bay Coast Walk (south). The main car park is at the end of the road, from which you get to the beach, to facilities, and the other tracks.
Note that dogs and other pets are prohibited.