A dawn walk at the beach took me to the sandspit on the north side of the Ruakākā River mouth, a wildlife refuge, where birds nest. 🐦

Satellite view on map shows the river mouth.

There were quite a few NZ Dotterels and Variable Oystercatchers, along with black-backed gulls, a shag and possibly a duck.

NZ Dotterel on sand with a blue background. The bird has a red chest.