Snell’s Beach is just by Warkworth, an hours drive north of Auckland.
I drove up with my husband and met my sister and brother in law at Bayside Eatery, a cafe by Snell’s beach. There was some wonderful unique bird life just by the beach, especially as the tide was in.
I had come to see my sister I have not seen for a while and in search of Godwits.
Fortunately, it was a day when many bird species were there. It is important in New Zealand to give birds their space and show them respect. You can take pictures but not go too close to frighten them and if they see you respect them, they will come to you.
Generally, the locals leave the Godwits alone to themselves.
We saw a chance sighting of a Gannet flying by and that doesn’t happen often on Snells Beach. That is the thumbnail photo.