A Range of Wildlife

Bexley Wetland is home to a wide range of wildlife, from the diverse fish species to mud crabs, insects and spiders.

Fish

Traditionally this area was known for the abundant supply of tuna (eel), inanga (whitebait) and kokopu (native trout) found there. This provided an excellent source of mahinga kai for local Māori.

Invertebrates and crustaceans such as mud crabs live in the mud flats.

A search around the Avon River beside Bexley Wetland reveals various species of freshwater and marine fish, such as the yelloweyed mullet, short fin eel, inanga (whitebait) and various bully species. Restored tidal flows into the wetland may allow fish to return in larger numbers.

Insects

There are number of different insects that live around Bexley Wetland including dragonflies, mayflies, red damselflies, stick insects and earwigs. They form an important part of the Wetland food chain.

Spiders

Look closely at the plants at Bexley Wetland and you'll soon discover the spiders that inhabit the area, from the common orb web spider through to the brown vagrant spider.

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Animals

Birds

Water

Maps

Panorama

St James School 2005