point england is well known for its extensive 25 hectare bird sanctuary, tahuna torea (gathering place of the oyster catcher), located on the large triangular sandspit which protrudes 1.5 kilometre into the tamaki estuary. following a council suggestion this area be turned into a residential marina in the 1980s, a group of activists led by ronald lockley, persuaded the council to create a wildlife reserve with extensive walk ways. many species of birds including oyster catchers, pied stilts, gulls, plovers, herons, mallard and grey ducks are found in the area. in the higher bush areas are tui, moreporks, fantails, grey warblers and silver eyes. at low tide it is possible to walk east towards the bucklands beach junior yacht club which is located 300 m on the eastern side of the tamaki river. about 20% of the spit is consolidated with native plants that are largely above high tide. the remainder is sand that is uncovered at low tide. the whole spit can be walked in hours or the board walk in 40 minutes. a good view is to be seen from the godwit lookout. nearby on the north side is a protected maori camp or whakaruruhau. the area can be accessed from vista crescent, riddell rd walkway or west tamaki road or from the tamaki estuary using a shallow draft boat. care should be taken at the east end of the spit as the water is 22 m deep and very swift at low tide.