I believe it’s secure to say when most individuals take into consideration New Zealand, they suppose large mountains, epic views, and hobbits. And I’ll be the primary to say they’re not incorrect. Far fewer in all probability consider birds. However birds are some of the distinctive issues about this nook of the world.
After we broke off Gondwana thousands and thousands of years in the past, New Zealand’s ecology developed with out mammals. Solely birds and a few bats. As a result of they developed with out mammal predators, many misplaced their means to fly, like the long-lasting kiwi. Any mammals you meet listed below are launched, and most are thought of pests. The worst are Australian possums, stoats, weasels, feral cats, rats, mice, and even canines.
The truth is, it’s estimated that about 25 million native birds are killed by mammals right here yearly, placing many susceptible to extinction.
However as a result of it’s a small island (mixed with different elements) New Zealand is preventing again towards predators. And it makes an actual distinction. A lot laborious work goes into defending this ecological paradise. And the wildlife we do have is in contrast to wherever else on the earth.
That’s why I all the time say that, sure, the views are nice, and the adventures are unforgettable. However attempt to look previous that and soak in simply how ecologically particular we have now it right here.
In the event you hear a pointy whistle on a mountain river, it may very well be the decision of the whio/blue duck; there are solely about 3,000 left and they’re in decline. At daybreak, the pitter-patter on the steel mountain hut roof is perhaps a curious kea, the world’s solely alpine parrot. The heavy woosh-woosh you may hear within the forest may very well be a fats kererū/wooden pigeon chickening out.
That is what makes New Zealand really extraordinary in my eyes. And it’s a superb reminder to guard what we have now left.
There may be nowhere higher to soak within the untouched native bush and wild calls of uncommon birds than on Rakiura/Stewart Island.
Simply an hour’s ferry ride throughout from Bluff, New Zealand’s third island is one among my favourite locations in the complete world. The truth is, I really feel like I’d find yourself residing there someday, simply me and the birds. Despite the fact that Rakiura is the place the place I had the worst expertise of my life – discovering 150 beaching pilot whales – it’s gotten beneath my pores and skin, and now at any time when I go to, I don’t need to go away.
Whereas there are lots of elements that contribute to this, I might say the most important one must be the spectacular native bush and wildlife. 85% of the island is nationwide park. And solely about 400 folks stay there together with a shit-ton of birds. Seems like heaven to me!
Stewart Island hasn’t been as ravaged by launched predators as mainland New Zealand.
The truth is, it’s freed from mustelids (stoats & weasels); these guys are public enemy #1 right here. They’re homicide machines, killing heaps and heaps of birds all of the whereas reproducing like rabbits. They’re notoriously sneaky and laborious to catch. Stoats can swim, they usually’re opportunistic killers like cats – they don’t even eat all of the birds they kill.
Mixed with some unimaginable conservation initiatives like Predator Free Rakiura, Stewart Island is the place to go for wildlife and birdwatching. And there’s no the place higher on Stewart Island for this, than on Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara, a predator-free open island sanctuary in Paterson Inlet.
A tiny island off of an even bigger island, which is of two very large islands.f Find it irresistible.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to go to Ulva Island three or 4 instances over the previous couple of years. And I can’t wait to return.
Ulva Island is a predator-free open island sanctuary, one of many few pest-free sanctuaries in New Zealand, and one of many solely ones open to the general public. Smaller offshore islands are the very best locations to attempt to save birds as a result of they’re simpler to away from pests, permitting the native birds to thrive.
Ulva Island is fairly unimaginable. In the event you solely do one factor on Stewart Island, come out right here. In the event you’re restricted on time and don’t take into account your self an insane birder like me, hop on an Ulva Island guided tour with RealNZ. You’ll see a lot greater than you’d by yourself and study loads.
A lot of our rarest birds name Ulva Island house, just like the tieke/saddleback, mohua, Stewart Island robin, kakariki, and loads of kiwi.
Ulva Island can also be distinctive as a result of it was by no means milled for timber, in contrast to different locations on Stewart Island. Right here you’ll be able to see mature native timber and gorgeous foliage; it offers you a style of what New Zealand used to appear to be earlier than us people got here alongside.
Predator-free since 1997, minus the occasional rat incursion, Ulva Island is likely one of the finest locations to go birdwatching amongst pristine native bush. With stunning white sand seashores, on a sunny day, it’s simple to neglect you’re on the backside of the world – subsequent cease Antarctica.
As a result of it’s so near mainland Rakiura, rats can nonetheless swim over and reproduce rapidly. The truth is, whereas we have been wandering round, we discovered a pile of neon inexperienced feathers, what was left of a kakariki (red-fronted parakeet). Perhaps a local hen like a karearea/falcon predated it, or it was a rat. A grim reminder that what we have now right here is fragile.
On my final journey to Ulva Island, it was raining on and off on a relaxed autumn day. Whereas the rain makes it more durable to listen to rustling within the rainforest heralding birds, it did create an ethereal, otherworldly vibe.
As we have been heading into autumn, it meant that mushroom season was in full swing. A brand new pastime of mine this yr has been mushroom, partially impressed by my buddy Liv who simply wrote an incredible e book: Fungi of Aotearoa: A Curious Forager’s Field Guide. There have been loads of stunning electrical blue Entoloma hochstetteri mushrooms, aka werewere-kōkako, native to New Zealand.
However maybe the very best half was coming out at one of many coves solely to have a child sea lion attempt to chase us off his seashore. I’ve spent loads of time round seals and sea lions on my travels, and sometimes the infants are bluffing, doing little dummy prices. This man was no exception.
Perched on the steps, we snacked and watched him eyeing us suspiciously from the water. Curious little wekas tried to steal our lunch. Wildlife mecca, for certain.
You’ll be able to stroll all of the tracks round Ulva Island in a few hours. Simply bear in mind, for those who stroll rapidly, you’ll miss out on loads. Rambling, pausing, and listening is one of the best ways to expertise the wildlife right here. We noticed nearly every little thing minus kiwi (nocturnal), which was wonderful.
Ulva Island is the form of place that reminds us to decelerate. Right here you’ll be able to breathe within the rattling earthy smells, and pay attention for the haunting calls of practically extinct birds. It offers us a uncommon glimpse into what New Zealand used to appear to be and what it might appear to be once more someday.
This distant wilderness will get beneath your pores and skin and keep some time.
Have you ever been to Ulva Island? Is that this a spot you might see your self visiting? Share!
