I feel it’s protected to say when most individuals take into consideration New Zealand, they suppose huge mountains, epic views, and hobbits. And I’ll be the primary to say they’re not incorrect. Far fewer in all probability consider birds. But birds are one of the vital distinctive issues about this nook of the world.
When we broke off Gondwana hundreds of thousands of years in the past, New Zealand’s ecology developed with out mammals. Only birds and a few bats. Because 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 canine.
In truth, it’s estimated that about 25 million native birds are killed by mammals right here yearly, placing many susceptible to extinction.
But as a result of it’s a small island (mixed with different elements) New Zealand is combating again towards predators. And it makes an actual distinction. So a lot onerous work goes into defending this ecological paradise. And the wildlife we do have is in contrast to anyplace else on the earth.
That’s why I at all times say that, sure, the views are nice, and the adventures are unforgettable. But attempt to look previous that and soak in simply how ecologically particular we have now it right here.
If you hear a pointy whistle on a mountain river, it might 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 might be a fats kererū/wooden pigeon chickening out.
This is what makes New Zealand actually extraordinary in my eyes. And it’s a great reminder to guard what we have now left.
There is nowhere higher to soak within the untouched native bush and wild calls of uncommon birds than on Rakiura/Stewart Island.
Just an hour’s ferry experience throughout from Bluff, New Zealand’s third island is certainly one of my favourite locations in the complete world. In truth, I really feel like I’d find yourself residing there in the future, simply me and the birds. Even although 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 every time I go to, I don’t need to depart.
While there are various elements that contribute to this, I’d say the largest one needs to be the spectacular native bush and wildlife. 85% of the island is nationwide park. And solely about 400 folks reside there together with a shit-ton of birds. Sounds like heaven to me!
Stewart Island hasn’t been as ravaged by launched predators as mainland New Zealand.
In truth, it’s freed from mustelids (stoats & weasels); these guys are public enemy #1 right here. They are homicide machines, killing heaps and heaps of birds all of the whereas reproducing like rabbits. They’re notoriously sneaky and onerous to catch. Stoats can swim, and so they’re opportunistic killers like cats – they don’t even eat all of the birds they kill.
Combined with some unbelievable 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 a much bigger island, which is of two very huge islands.f Love it.
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 unbelievable. If you solely do one factor on Stewart Island, come out right here. If you’re restricted on time and don’t think about your self an insane birder like me, hop on an Ulva Island guided tour with RealNZ. You’ll see a lot greater than you’ll by yourself and study lots.
Many of our rarest birds name Ulva Island dwelling, just like the tieke/saddleback, mohua, Stewart Island robin, kakariki, and loads of kiwi.
Ulva Island can be distinctive as a result of it was by no means milled for timber, in contrast to different locations on Stewart Island. Here you’ll be able to see mature native timber and gorgeous foliage; it provides 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 among the finest locations to go birdwatching amongst pristine native bush. With lovely white sand seashores, on a sunny day, it’s straightforward to neglect you’re on the backside of the world – subsequent cease Antarctica.
Because it’s so near mainland Rakiura, rats can nonetheless swim over and reproduce rapidly. In truth, whereas we had been wandering round, we discovered a pile of neon inexperienced feathers, what was left of a kakariki (red-fronted parakeet). Maybe a local fowl 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 peaceful autumn day. While the rain makes it more durable to listen to rustling within the rainforest heralding birds, it did create an ethereal, otherworldly vibe.
As we had 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 guide: Fungi of Aotearoa: A Curious Forager’s Field Guide. There had been loads of lovely electrical blue Entoloma hochstetteri mushrooms, aka werewere-kōkako, native to New Zealand.
But 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 seaside. I’ve spent quite a lot of time round seals and sea lions on my travels, and sometimes the infants are bluffing, doing little dummy costs. 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 can stroll all of the tracks round Ulva Island in a few hours. Just keep in mind, should you stroll rapidly, you’ll miss out on lots. Rambling, pausing, and listening is the easiest way to expertise the wildlife right here. We noticed nearly every little thing minus kiwi (nocturnal), which was wonderful.
Ulva Island is the sort of place that reminds us to decelerate. Here you’ll be able to breathe within the rattling earthy smells, and pay attention for the haunting calls of almost extinct birds. It provides us a uncommon glimpse into what New Zealand used to appear to be and what it might appear to be once more in the future.
This distant wilderness will get beneath your pores and skin and keep some time.
Have you been to Ulva Island? Is this a spot you can see your self visiting? Share!
