Much of Stewart Island is uninhabited and still covered with native bush, making it a haven for many of our native birds.
Ulva Island is a bird sanctuary where some of our most endangered birds have been released and are thriving. It was a thrill and a privilege to wander through the bush and spot some of our rarer birds.
The beach near the boat landing on Ulva Island.
A weka strolling along the beach.
A black robin, an endangered NZ bird.
The Clematis is a vine that climbs through the trees, and it is a member of the buttercup family. The flowers are white.
Shelley hugging a rimu tree on Ulva Island.
A native wood pigeon.
The bellbird, one of NZ songbirds.
The tui is one of New Zealand’s more adaptable birds, and it is common in most parts of NZ. It’s still a very cool bird, and there were lots of them on Stewart Island.
Stewart Island is also one of the best places to go kiwi-watching. We went out at 9:00 pm and traveled to an uninhabited part of the island via boat. It was just amazing watching and hearing the kiwi feed. They didn’t seem to notice us and were unaffected by the special red light the guides use to help people spot them.
In my upcoming release, Protecting the Bride, Cullen and Grace visit Ulva Island to go birdwatching. They also spend an unforgettable evening looking for kiwi.
Protecting the Bride is available for pre-order and is out on 17 August 2021.
I love the bird pictures. So pretty.
Thanks, Mary. It is so cool seeing these (in some cases) rare birds in person. NZ has some very cool birds.