Stewart and Ulva Islands
Sunrise on a stunning sandy beach, with gentle waves, no wind, and wispy clouds…this sounds like the tropics??? However, we were a long way from the tropics as we began our journey on the extreme south of New Zealand at Stewart Island. The penguins we saw in the water may have helped narrow it down a bit, but the presence of Kiwi certainly nailed down the spot. And while we didn’t see any actual birds, we saw fresh tracks and beak marks in the sand. But more importantly, we visited a stunning wild area filled with lush vegetation, gorgeous birds, and tranquility. A beautiful beach walk on a wild stretch of coast was a great way to start the day.
Later, we visited another fantastic spot, Ulva Island. Ulva is one of the most important island sanctuaries in New Zealand and provides a home for some incredibly rare fauna. Numerous mega bird species were spotted including Red-crowned Parakeets, Saddlebacks, and Riflemans. A certain favorite for many were the Stewart Island Robins. These birds appear as curious of us as we of them, and hop amongst our feet. Thousands of photos were snapped of these birds, and we also learned about the nesting research done on them here. Many of these species, do not exist outside of protected areas, so it was a real treat to visit this spot.
Another important portion of our day was experiencing primeval forest. The forest on Ulva Island has had limited human impact over time, and represents what much of New Zealand would have looked like pre-human settlement. Ferns and mosses lined the forest floor, while massive trees loomed high above. Tree ferns were interspersed with flowering orchids.
Equally as impressive were the sounds. Almost no human noises other than our voices and footsteps were heard, but birdsong filled the air. The sound of the waves, the breeze through the trees, and at times, silence were all treats. It was a joyous day filled with rare fauna, stunning landscapes, and vibrant vegetation.
