Up very early this morning to cook breakfast and walk up the Fuschia Track and then down steep Golden Bay Road to the little wharf where we were to catch a water taxi across to Ulva Island. A lovely morning, still, and fine although cold. Our guide arrived and we jumped into the water taxi for the 5 minute trip across to Ulva. The bush here has never been touched and is more open than areas that have regrown. Very beautiful with ferns and mosses and old trees. Ulva has been completely rid of pest animals and some birds have been relocated here to breed up in safety. For instance the Saddleback. Our purpose was to see as many birds as possible but it seemed most of the birds were on holiday, sadly. However, our guide was very knowledgeable about the plants and history etc. etc. and did her best to locate the birds we wanted to see. We did see 3 Saddlebacks, lots brown creepers (tiny birds), wekas, heard lots of tuis and bellbirds, saw wood pigeons but no yellow heads, fern birds. Rather cold deep in the forest. Back at lunch time then a veg out few hours reclining on the bed with the sun coming into the room. Most pleasant. The weather then clouded over and got cold again so we went wandering through the village and sat in the pub having a drink in the warm. Dinner at the Kai Kart tonight. Been told so many times that they do the best fish ever so will see.
Now been to dinner and the fish and chips was no better or worse than most places but it is a quaint old caravan that seats about six. Chatted to a local eating there and a nice family from Auckland.
Stewart Island Robin, very friendly
Two wekas busy eating crabs when we turned rocks over for them
A Saddleback, distant view but showing his bright tan back
No comments:
Post a Comment