Tiritiri Matangi Island (BT)
Introduced predators, including cats, dogs, rats, foxes and possums, have almost wiped out many birds that were once common in New Zealand. Therefore, in an attempt to save their birds from extinction, many have been relocated to small, predator-free islands.
Tiritiri Matangi in one such place. It is located 30 km offshore from the city of Auckland.
Birds that are very rare in other parts of New Zealand are commonly walking around Tiritiri Matangi without fear of humans. The Takahe is one such bird. It looks like an overgrown blue chicken with a massive beak. The total population of this bird is about 200.
The Takahe is just one of 12 endemic birds that the government relocated to Tiritiri Matangi. No birding trip to New Zealand would be complete without a trip to this island. A ferry from Auckland goes twice a day. Almost all passengers go and return on the same day, but this is not enough time for the best birding experience. I suggest that you stay overnight. If you walk around at night, you might see some Little Penguins and Little Spotted Kiwi , which people won’t see during the day. See the accommodations page.
(M) Write a review
You must be logged in to submit a review. Go to Members page to Log-in or Register
Trounson Kauri Park (BT)
The attraction here is the nocturnal tours to find the North Island Brown Kiwi.
Located in Northland, north of Auckland. See accommodations
(M) Write a review
You must be logged in to submit a review. Go to Members page to Log-in or Register
Stewart Island & Ulva Island (BT)
Just south of New Zealand’s two main islands is Stewart Island. You can fly there from Auckland, or if driving, you can get a ferry from the southern tip of South Island near the city of Invercargill.
The main bird to look for on Stewart Island is the Southern Brown Kiwi. They are listed as Vulnerable and found only in Fiordland in the southwest of South Island, where they are tough to find, and on Steward Island, where the chances of seeing one are pretty good.
After finding the Southern Brown Kiwi, head to Ulva Island, located a short boat ride from Oban in Paterson Inlet, which is a predator-free sanctuary. The trails on the island allow you to see several rare species such as Kaka, Bellbird, Stewart Island Robin and Saddleback. You can get to Ulva Island with a guided tour of one of the many water taxis that will take you there if you wish to go on your own. (see guides page)
(M) Write a review
You must be logged in to submit a review. Go to Members page to Log-in or Register
Pelagic Tours
The best part of birding around Stewart Island is offshore. Don’t leave without taking a pelagic tour. From a small boat, you will get close encounters with several species of giant albatross, the huge and ugly Giant Petrel, penguins, skuas and others.
The Pelagic page is one of the members’ only pages. Click on Members to register and log in to see many pages unavailable to other viewers.
.