As a last family holiday, we decided to head to the South Island of New Zealand for eleven days of wild adventures and beautfiul scenery. These were easily accomplished, but I won't dwell on them here. This is about birding!!
It is important to remember a few things when birding in New Zealand.
- Since the arrival of man, 40% of the native avifauna has been rendered extinct - not a particularly impressive statistic.
- When the Europeans turned up, they decided to bring a large number of euarasian species with them, and, at times, these species dominate the birding landscape, especially in urban regions.
- New Zealand is divided into two main islands, so if you only visit one of them, your birding experience is reduced by about 50%
- Some of their most precious avifauna - kiwis, kekapos (the flightless parrot) and so on, are almost impossible to see outside of wildlife parks (which don't count!).
- If you take seven non-birders with you, birding will be limited to moments of escape!
That having been said, I had a wonderful time and was able to snaffle twenty-five lifers, and fifty-nine species altogether.
Christchurch - the local botanic gardens is a great place to start. I quickly picked up Paradise Shelduck, Black-billed Gull, NZ Pigeon, NZ Scaup (duck), and a number of Eurasian species including Redpoll, and I even jagged a California Quail sitting in a tree happily singing. The main estuary and wetlands in the eastern suburbs had many Australian species of waterfowl and waders, plus Paradise Shelduck, Black-billed Gull, NZ Scaup, Royal Spoonbill, South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Canada Goose, Yellowhammer and Feral Goose.
Mount Cook - there is little to see walking up the Hooker Valley (although the walk itself is stunning). However, there are two small areas of scrub near the Visitor Centre - I saw Grey Warbler and Rifleman (tiny), along with Grey Fantail.
Queenstown - again, the local botanic gardens is a good pace to start - Chaffinch, Redpoll, Bellbird and Tui are found here. I picked up the NZ Robin on a river trip - came out of the foliage and sat on our gear. Queenstown is also one of the most spectacular places scenery wise that I have ever seen.
Queenstown - again, the local botanic gardens is a good pace to start - Chaffinch, Redpoll, Bellbird and Tui are found here. I picked up the NZ Robin on a river trip - came out of the foliage and sat on our gear. Queenstown is also one of the most spectacular places scenery wise that I have ever seen.
Milford Sound - this was by far the best birding day. It was misty and rainy all day, but I saw lots! Kea (the main alpine parrot), was resident at the parking bays near the main tunnel, and then I collected Weka, Variable Oystercatcher, Tui, NZ Tomtit and lots of water fowl at the Sound. Some of the short walks through the rainforest while heading towards Milford Sound are also good - I picked up Rifleman, Tomtit, NZ Robin and Yellow-crowned Parakeet. Milford Sound is also a panoramic beauty spot. Breath-taking!
Franz Josef Glacier and Okarito - Okarito has a lovely wetland and forest walk. I easily picked up the Fernbird, and then the Double-banded Plover near the beach. Purple Swamphen and Great Egret were also present. Kea were also present on the Glacier.
All in all, a spectacular time - I would recommend it without reservation.
Black-billed Gull at Queenstown
Canada Geese at Christchurch
Kea at Franz Josef Glacier
New Zealand Robin on the Dart River
Paradise Shelduck at Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Rifleman at Mount Cook
Variable Oystercatcher at Milford Sound
Weka at Milford Sound
