I believe it’s protected to say when most individuals take into consideration New Zealand, they assume massive mountains, epic views, and hobbits. And I’ll be the primary to say they’re not unsuitable. Far fewer most likely consider birds. However birds are one of the crucial distinctive issues about this nook of the world.
After we broke off Gondwana tens of millions of years in the past, New Zealand’s ecology advanced with out mammals. Solely birds and a few bats. As a result of they advanced with out mammal predators, many misplaced their capability to fly, like the enduring kiwi. Any mammals you meet listed here are launched, and most are thought of pests. The worst are Australian possums, stoats, weasels, feral cats, rats, mice, and even canine.
In actual fact, 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 exhausting work goes into defending this ecological paradise. And the wildlife we do have is not like wherever else on the earth.
That’s why I at all times 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’ve got it right here.
For those who hear a pointy whistle on a mountain river, it could possibly 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 may be a curious kea, the world’s solely alpine parrot. The heavy woosh-woosh you may hear within the forest could possibly be a fats kererū/wooden pigeon chickening out.
That is what makes New Zealand really extraordinary in my eyes. And it’s a very good reminder to guard what we’ve got 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 considered one of my favourite locations in all the world. In actual fact, I really feel like I would find yourself residing there at some point, simply me and the birds. Although Rakiura is the place the place I had the worst expertise of my life – discovering 150 beaching pilot whales – it’s gotten below my pores and skin, and now every time I go to, I don’t wish to depart.
Whereas there are numerous 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 individuals 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.
In actual fact, 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 exhausting to catch. Stoats can swim, and so they’re opportunistic killers like cats – they don’t even eat all of the birds they kill.
Mixed 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 massive islands.f Adore 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 one of the 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. For those who solely do one factor on Stewart Island, come out right here. For those who’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 so much.
Lots 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 also be distinctive as a result of it was by no means milled for timber, not like different locations on Stewart Island. Right here you may see mature native timber and gorgeous foliage; it provides you a style of what New Zealand used to appear like earlier than us people got here alongside.
Predator-free since 1997, minus the occasional rat incursion, Ulva Island is likely one of the greatest locations to go birdwatching amongst pristine native bush. With stunning white sand seashores, on a sunny day, it’s straightforward to overlook 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. In actual fact, whereas we have been wandering round, we discovered a pile of neon inexperienced feathers, what was left of a kakariki (red-fronted parakeet). Possibly a local chicken like a karearea/falcon predated it, or it was a rat. A grim reminder that what we’ve got right here is fragile.
On my final journey to Ulva Island, it was raining on and off on a peaceful autumn day. Whereas the rain makes it tougher 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 passion of mine this yr has been mushroom, partially impressed by my good friend Liv who simply wrote a tremendous 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 one of the 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 lots of time round seals and sea lions on my travels, and infrequently the infants are bluffing, doing little dummy expenses. 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, in case you stroll rapidly, you’ll miss out on so much. Rambling, pausing, and listening is the easiest way to expertise the wildlife right here. We noticed nearly every part minus kiwi (nocturnal), which was wonderful.
Ulva Island is the sort of place that reminds us to decelerate. Right here you may breathe within the rattling earthy smells, and pay attention for the haunting calls of practically extinct birds. It provides us a uncommon glimpse into what New Zealand used to appear like and what it might appear like once more at some point.
This distant wilderness will get below your pores and skin and keep some time.
Have you ever been to Ulva Island? Is that this a spot you can see your self visiting? Share!
