Stewart Island

We visited Stewart Island for a brief visit in Nov 2008, with our friends Walter & Esther Hottinger. The photos below were taken by Esther.
Our visit was too short but we had to get to Waipu for the wedding of our goddaughter, Ursula Albrecht.
Our hosts were Peter & Iris Tait. We stayed at Kowhai Lane which is owned by their daughter, Anne who we know well as she is a close friend of our son, Neville.
Here is the view from Anne's house.





















Stewart Island is the biggest island of New Zealand and is reached by a one hour ferry from Bluff, the southernmost point of NZ's mainland.





















It was interesting to learn that the ferries are built locally in Invercargill as the original Australian-made ferry could not withstand the rough conditions in Foveaux Strait, one of the wildest waterways in NZ.

The highlight for us of Stewart Island was the birdlife. Flocks of kaka and wood pigeons inhabit the main street - we had never seen so many of these birds congregating in one tree!









































But better was to come when Peter took us on a tour of Ulva Island, a bird sanctuary reached by a short boat trip.






















Peter's yacht is very comfortable and he also uses it to do cruises in the fiords of the south west coast of the South Island - Fiordland. Peter has concessions from DOC for these trips.

Peter was involved at the start of the project to turn Ulva Island into a bird sanctuary and will relate to his guests fascinating tales of how they got rid of the pests like deer, rats, stoats, ferrits, etc from the island 30 years ago.

Ulva Island is a beautiful place and the experience of visiting it is unique.





















Peter visits the island so often, he knows where every species of bird can be found and even has nicknames for the regulars. Here is Wallace the Weka.























A little while later, we came across Wallace's cousin, Winnie, with her chick.






















Winnie was found just above a beach and further along the beach was a couple of oystercatchers.














































Peter knew the tricks of getting the robins to pose.

















































Saddlebacks were a bit harder to spot.























It was interesting to learn that the South Island Saddleback differed from its North Island relative in that the distinctive brown 'saddle' took a year to develop on the South Island species where the North Island bird has the saddle from birth.

Tuis were everywhere and their songs filled the air.























Peter is also an expert on native flora and showed us several native orchids and other flowering plants.













































Back on the mainland, Peter gave us a tour of the populated part of the island. It is an interesting place and the locals have quite a sense of humour.






Tree phone























With a tree-friendly climate, growth rates on Stewart Island are phenomenal. This bike was left against this tree just 20 years ago!






























And the plant colours are vibrant.










































We will be back there real soon .........................