Wave action at Te Mata Hapuku/Birdlings Flat

            A steep and dangerous beach open to ocean swells that have come unhindered from right across the Southern Ocean, which often produces some spectacular wave action.
Birdlings Flat, originally named Te Mata Hapuku, is a settlement in Canterbury, New Zealand, at the eastern end of Kaitorete Spit and the southern end of Lake Forsyth, where the lake discharges to the sea. It is not far from eastern end of Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora. The name Birdlings Flat is also commonly used for the nearby pebble beach on the ocean side of Kaitorete Spit.
The beach is well known as a place to find small agates and a variety of other attractive rounded pebbles. Due to strong ocean currents, swimming and surfing is not advised. Hector's dolphins live along the beach in notable numbers, and fur seals, whales such as southern right whales, and much more rarely elephant seals cavort and rest there.
The beach is also a site for unusual bird sightings, especially after very strong southerly storms. Pelagic species and even penguins whose territory is some 5000km away, end up on this beach from time to time. It's also a great spot to observe aurora australis.
   

Taken on: June 2, 2025

Tags:

Steve Attwood

Birdlings Flat

Landscape

Canterbury

New Zealand

Auldwood Photography

Te Mata Hapuku

waves

ocean

sea

water « less

Sets appears in: • Banks Peninsula • Coast more » • New Zealand Landscapes « less

Stats: 43 views

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