Tauranga Bay

We came to Tauranga Bay on Tuesday 4th. It is a nice bay looking straight out to sea. To left is the entrance to Whangaroa harbour. There is a fishing fleet there and we have seen fishing boats coming in and going out.
Today it is pretty wet and windy, with wind blowing straight off the sea, but we can open our door, so not as bad as one day at Bland Bay.

Stephenson Island

Straight out from the shore is Stephenson Island, which is in the above picture, behind the rocks that are closer to the shore.
There are lots of tuis living here. They are feasting on the nectar in the flame trees that are all over the place. I suspect they are a bit of a weed tree, but the tuis love them.

Browning enjoying the sea view.

Dotterels and their nesting site.

There is a dotterel nesting site at one the end of the beach. I tried to get a picture of them, but they were too far away and too small really. The nesting site is among the dune plants in the back ground. It is all fenced off to protect them. They are cute little birds. I sat on the log and hoped they would come closer, but to no avail. I need a camera with a long lens.
We have had a bit of an issue with emptying of the grey tanks. A part has broken and we couldn't empty out. Eddie has ordered a new part today and has managed to get it working in the meantime. We have bought a small tank on wheels, which he uses to empty us out most days It is easier than doing it when they are full.
The roads in Northland often have mangrove swamps right up to the edge of the road. We think it must create a bit of flooding in really high tides. The trees themselves are quite tall too.

mangrove swamp at Tauranga Bay

There are quiet a lot of swamps too with raupo, cabbage trees and toi toi growing.