The Firth of Thames

The Firth of Thames

One of the most important feeding grounds for waders is on the Firth of Thames, south-east of Auckland. Classified as an internationally important coastal wetland under the Ramsar Convention, the site is part of the East Asian–Australasian Shorebird Site Network. Twenty-four species of wader and 60 bird species have been recorded here, and there can be up to 40,000 birds at one time. The extensive shell banks provide sheltered roost sites when the tide is too high for waders to feed.