The
Patter had a 560* temperature for today. Gotta love a good typo. (56*, if it
got that high, was the high for the day) Hopefully this will be our coldest
port on this trip. We were up at 5:00 to get ready and meet for the tenders. It
was cold, windy & a bit rainy!
This
was our first visit here. I booked a private birding tour on Ulva Island and an
afternoon wildlife cruise in the afternoon. Princess again shortened our time
here by an hour which was a bit of a rush, but both tour operators worked with
our timeframe. Then, we found out that the last tender was another 15 minutes
earlier than usual.
The
birding tour was for just the 2 of us so we could easily rework the timing and
the wildlife cruise was a special time set up for us if I could get the minimum
number of people to go. So, several friends on the cruise joined and we got
confirmed.
We
got the first tender and there were only 5 of us on the tender, but they took
us over without waiting to fill it up.
views from the tender
I
booked the birding tour with Ulva of Ulva Island Guided Walks - http://www.ulva.co.nz/ I highly recommend her!
The
tenders brought us to Golden Bay Wharf and Ulva agreed to pick us up there and
take us to our water taxi which departed from Half Moon Bay. (the main township
of Oban, Halfmoon Bay area) We were early as she was scheduled to meet us at
8:00. I checked out the Red Shed (gift shop and tourist info center) while we
waited. I scoped out my token magnet to pick up later.
Ulva
Island is an open sanctuary which is a predator-free birdwatching and a nature
lover’s paradise. (South Island Saddleback, Tomtit, Rifleman, Stewart Island
Robin, Brown Creeper, Tui, Kaka, Fantail, NZ Pigeon, Yellow and Red-crowned
Kakariki (parakeets), Bellbird, Yellowhead & more.) Ulva Island is the southern-most
bird sanctuary in the world.
welcome center & ferry station
nice rainbow
now we can see the entire rainbow
We
got on the water taxi and another couple was also on board. Then, Toni &
John got on board. The water taxi skipper asked who they were and were they
with us. We said no and so did Ulva. John said they were booked on a tour with
Beaks & Feathers. The skipper said, then you are on the wrong water taxi.
So, they got off and we were on our way. Toni left her umbrella behind and we
offered to take it for them, but the guide said, don’t worry we will get it to them.
Ulva & vehicle
former postmasters home
In
the forest we were out of the wind, so it didn’t seem so cold. Ulva also
pointed out the various mosses, lichens, trees, seasonal orchids and more. One
orchid was blooming, and she said it generally doesn’t bloom until April.
New Zealand Kaka
New Zealand Kaka
New Zealand Kaka
New Zealand Kaka
New Zealand Robin
New Zealand Robin
New Zealand Robin
lone orchid in bloom
Besides
seeing so many birds, the forest was alive with bird songs and calls. We came
across lots of parrots and got very good views of the Southern Saddleback. We
also came upon about 9 or so Red-fronted parakeets and Ulva explained they were
a group of juveniles that probably got “kicked out of the nest” and were
learning to be on their own. They seemed to be playing with each other.
Then,
we came across a couple of parrots that were doing their mating courtship. All
was going well until he must have done something she didn’t like, and he flew
off. Ulva said that they have a long mating ritual of about a half an hour
which is extremely long for birds.
Red-crowned Parakeet
New Zeland Kaka - failed courtship
she didn't like something at this point
see-through fern
South Island Saddleback
South Island Saddleback
Red-crowned Parakeet
New Zealand Pigeon
Along
the way we came across many of their Stewart Island Robbins. (they look nothing
like an American Robin) They would come right up to you. She would take her
walking stick and scratch up some of the earth to expose possible food below
and they would come right over and start stomping around. One almost got on my
shoe. Just adorable little birds. We also saw the smallest bird the Rifelman.
We
did a beach walk on the side of the island that was windy and raining sideways.
(luckily, it was a short walk). She was hoping to find some Kiwi foraging on
the beach.
New Zealand Robin
Yellowhead
See-through fern
leaf used to be used for paper
"ink" from a tree
New Zealand Robin
Weka
Weka
Sydney Cove
Ulva
found an owl well hidden in a tree. I don’t know how she saw it. She said she
saw the bird poo and looked up. When you see the picture you will see how well
it was hidden.
Southerm Boobook Owl
Southerm Boobook Owl
Southerm Boobook Owl
New Zealand Robin
On
the last trail we were coming to the end of our tour and I could tell she was
really searching for a bird. She was looking for a ground bird and she said she
often sees a mother & chick in the area but didn’t want to mention the name
in case she jinxed it. We saw a Weka which I thought might have been a Kiwi
until I saw its’ bill. She seemed to think we probably wouldn’t see a Kiwi
because if we saw one now it would be totally random. We stopped at one area
and she asked each of us how we were feeling, were we feeling alright? We
seemed puzzled and she jokingly said you are now at the highest point in the
forest. (barely above sea level) lol. In the middle of a sentence she said “don’t
react; but turn around slowly. No, don’t turn around. There is a Kiwi directly
behind you (meaning Greg).” We both slowly turned and sure enough there was one
right behind him. We tiptoed to follow it and it was so close it was very hard
to get photos. We both took some bad photos in hopes of getting a good one. The
Kiwi crossed the path in front of us and then foraged around the undergrowth
for quite a while. We watched him at least 10 to 15 minutes. Once she was in
the undergrowth, she was very hard to see, but she came coming and going where
we could get glimpses of her. Ulva was thrilled; and I was doing a very quiet
happy dance!
Kiwi
are nocturnal except for this species on Stewart Island. So, we were very
excited to see this one.
Southern Brown Kiwi (Stewart island sub-species) from the back
Kiwi is on the left of the trail
Southern Brown Kiwi (Stewart island sub-species)
We
continued on and did another short beach walk on the other coast, so it was
pleasant unlike the beach walk on the other side. We made it just in time for
our water taxi back to Stewart Island.
Ulva
drove us past where we would meet for our afternoon tour and then drove us to a
supermarket to pick up some ready-made sandwiches for a quick lunch since we
only had about 15 minutes before our meeting time. We had hoped to eat at the Kai
Kart, but there just wasn’t enough time. I knew time would be tight so not
Ulva’s fault. We said our goodbyes and she gave us bookmarks with the list of
birds on the island.
We
walked and ate the short distance to the Ruggedy Range office. I booked the
tour through Paterson Inlet Wildlife Cruise - http://www.ruggedyrange.com It
was supposed to be 1:30 to 4:00 until Princess shortened the time so it was
then changed to 1:00 until 3:30. Then, 1:00 to 3:15 to make the last tender.
Bob
& Phyllis were already there and checked in. Bob had already told them
about our shortened time and they said no worries they would have us back at
3:15 giving us a half an hour until the last ferry. (it was a short walk back
to the ship) Another couple staying in a hotel were also on the tour. I felt
bad that they got their tour shortened because of our group, but they seemed
fine about it. It was time to go and we were still missing 4 people.
The
girl drove around the small town a couple of times to see if we could find
them. One couple missing had booked the shuttle between the wharfs and should
have been there. Finally, the driver said I don’t know what to do, we need to
go. We all agreed that everyone was adults and we needed to leave.
They
got us on the small tour boat and it was quite wavy so the skipper pulled away
and waited to see if the others would appear. Tim & Liz came and said they
thought the time was 1:30 not 1:00. The girl that drove us saw them walking and
picked them up and brought them to us. John & Toni never came. So, our
already shortened time for the cruise was cut short by another 45 minutes
waiting.
skipper on Patterson Inlet cruise
Bob & Phyllis
Bob & Phyllis
Shy Albatross
Shy Albatross
Shy Albatross
Shy Albatross
Buller's Albatross
Buller's Albatross
Buller's Albatross
Buller's Albatross
Shy Albatross
Buller's Albatross
Buller's Albatross
Buller's Albatross
Shy Albatross
our ship
Buller's Albatross
Cormorants
Cormorant with nesting material in it's mouth
feeding frenzy
We
had great Albatross sightings (though no Royal like yesterday). There were many
Sooty Shearwaters. There was a huge baitfish ball and there was a feeding
frenzy that was phenomenal to watch; and skipper gently guided us into them. We
also saw some fur seals. It was a nice day out on the water.
The
shuttle driver drove us all the way back to where we would catch the tender.
She also made a point to show the couple the email where they acknowledged the
change in times and when and where to meet.
Red Shed - Gift Shop & Tourist Info
Since
we had a half an hour Phyllis & I went to the Red Shed to spend off our
last NZ dollars where I got my token magnet. Liz didn’t think we had time, so
she didn’t come. We all were on the same tender back even with the shopping. We saw John & Toni and Bob
asked what happened? John just said “It didn’t work out. We were doing other
things” So, we don’t know why they didn’t make the afternoon tour. It was
prepaid with no refund, so the tour operator wasn’t out their money.
We
got cleaned up for dinner in the dining room and got caught up with Roy &
Rondi on what everyone did in the last 2 ports.
The
evening entertainment was Will Martin, a very young and talented tenor. What an
amazing show tonight. The sound guy continues to blast the background music way
too loud as it sometimes drowned out his singing or piano playing. 
Kadek, Yulia & Mario (not sure the name was Mario)
Tonight,
we got an extra hour as we set our clocks back another hour.
Now
for 2 sea days to relax before Sydney. Be patient with photos as they will take
me a while.
Stewart
& Ulva Island, New Zealand https://photos.app.goo.gl/sXLaz8PCTQNGTGeA6
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