New signs illuminate bird species at Rotokawau Virginia Lake

Published on 09 March 2021

Bird expert Peter Frost, left, and artist Des Bovey at Rotokawau Virginia Lake

If you’ve ever wanted to know about the birdlife at Rotokawau Virginia Lake, a series of new signs will help.

The 12 signs have been placed at easily accessible locations around the lake. Each one has an illustration and information about a different water bird that can be found at the lake.

The signs are a collaboration between local artist Des Bovey, who provided the images and graphics, and bird expert Peter Frost, who wrote the text.

Whanganui District Council’s senior parks manager, Wendy Bainbridge, says the two approached her with the drawings and text already completed.

The council paid for the signs and had them installed at the lake.

The Virginia Lake Trust funded a brochure, a takeaway version of the signs, which is available at the Funky Duck Café at the lake and the Whanganui i-SITE Visitor Information Centre at 31 Taupo Quay.

Both the signs and the brochure(PDF, 3MB) have a QR code. People can scan the code which will take them to the Birds New Zealand site for more information on each bird.

The signs have been placed at a height that allows children to read them.

Peter Frost says he and Des Bovey had been discussing the idea of bird signage at Rotokawau Virginia Lake for some time.

“The council was very receptive to our idea and we’re grateful for the support.”

Wendy Bainbridge says, “I hope these signs help to bring understanding to the birdlife at Virginia Lake.”

“They are another reason for people to walk around the lake.”