An Empty Beach

Went exploring along the Mangawhai Spit and the big dunes. Despite the season being the height of summer and Mangawhai being a popular  holiday hotspot, this section of beach was deserted. On my 10km walk I saw just one other couple - but lots of birdlife. Oystercatchers, dotterels, black backed gulls (lots of immature birds so there must be a nesting colony nearby?), a few gannets....and best of all, a couple of NZ fairy terns. These dainty little terns, a first for me, are critically endangered, only 40 odd left ! I had no idea they were so rare until I Googled them.