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Destinations
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NEW ZEALAND Natural History Tour Please click here for COST GUIDELINES Aotearoa, the Maori name for New Zealand meaning the land of the long white cloud, is a unique birding and botanical destination. More than a third of New Zealand is protected in the form of National Parks & conservation reserves with no less than three Natural World Heritage areas within the region. New Zealand was a land of birds – a unique evolutionary island where ground dwelling birds filled the niches normally occupied by mammals (that were absent from the islands except for 3 bat species). Millions of Takahe grazed like sheep and the now extinct flightless Moas browsed at higher levels like giraffes. The lack of mammalian competitors led to the development of flightless birds that are today represented by the Kiwi – a member of an endemic and more primitive family. The variety of Sea Birds is very good with as many as 50% of the world’s Penguins breeding in the region. The South Island breeding colony of the endemic Royal Albatross is easy to get to and is the only easily accessible Albatross nesting site in the world. There are approximately 50 endemic bird species in the North & South Island area and while many are under severe threat of extinction, the recent high levels of conservation effort are having a significant positive impact. We must, however, caution avid birdwatchers that birding in New Zealand can be disappointing with regard to numbers of species and viewing opportunities. Thus, in essence this tour should be regarded more as a general natural history and scenic tour than a specialised birding tour. Few other countries have native ecosystems that have suffered so severely from the recent introduction of exotic fauna & flora and the effects in New Zealand have been devastating in many areas. This however does not detract from the exceptional natural heritage and the magnificent scenery. Very few countries can offer scenery ranging from pristine rain forests, to active volcanoes, glaciers and clear blue skies while pursuing activities such as whale watching, birding and walking in scenic and uncluttered countryside. The low population density, unpolluted environment, yet efficient tourist infrastructure makes travel comfortable, safe & easy. This Pelican Safaris NZ tour of New Zealand is structured to include many of the natural history highlights that the islands have to offer whilst visiting most of the scenic areas that feature in the documentaries produced about New Zealand. During our tour we will visit the island of Tiritiri Matangi that is a short boat trip from Auckland Harbour. The richness of the bird life on the island is a tribute to the extensive conservation efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers. The 226ha island was farmland that was purchased by the government and eventually cleared of hundreds of destructive alien mammals (mainly cats, possums & rats) before being re-vegetated with over 260 000 indigenous trees. Endangered and mainly endemic birds were reintroduced and today they flourish in their protected native habitat. Twenty years have now passed and the vegetation is well established. The island is one of the best & easiest locations to see many of the New Zealand endemic birds. To date some 69 bird species have been recorded on the island and we will endeavour to view as many as possible. The birds of the thick New Zealand forests and scrubland are notoriously difficult to see in mainland habitats – another good reason to optimise our time on the island. Birds requiring special mention are Takahe (believed extinct until 1948), Brown Teal, Stitchbirds, Kokako, Saddleback and the elusive Little Spotted Kiwi. We continue to the Firth of Thames – an intertidal wetland area of note with wader enthusiasts. The coastal mudflats at Miranda cover 8500 hectares and constitute a major feeding ground for waders in New Zealand. The unusual Wrybills overwinter in the area while the summer specials include long distance Arctic migrants. In summer these migrants may include Asiatic Bartailed Godwits & Lesser Knots from Siberia as well as Red-necked Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Eastern Curlew and Whimbril. The migrants feed together with large numbers of local resident birds such as Pied & Variable Oystercatcher, Banded & New Zealand Dotterel, Pied Stilts and the unique & endemic Wrybill. We then travel to the lakeland area of Rotorua & Taupo and the World Heritage site of Tongariro National Park with its snow clad volcanoes. In the South Island, we start with some pelagic birdwatching on the east coast, both in the Queen Charlotte Sound and off Kaikoura. Kaikoura is the whale-watching centre of New Zealand (some say of the whole world). Worldwide there are 75 species of Whales & Dolphins and of these, 35 species have been recorded off Kaikoura. Sightings include Sperm Whales, the largest of the toothed whales (15-20m), Humpbacks, Orcas, Long-finned & Short-finned Pilot Whales as well as three or four dolphin species. Of course whale watching is seasonal with the best months being October to March but most months have some marine mammal activity. The structure of the deep plunging continental shelf (800m), which is close to the shore, as well as the productive up welling currents, is responsible for this Whale extravaganza. In addition to the mammals, sea birds can also be good with Shearwaters, Shags, Mollyhawks, Albatrosses & Petrels commonly seen. Further south we approach the Mount Cook National Park that is probably the most visited and spectacular scenic area in the country. One third of the 700 sq km park is under permanent snow and glacial ice, while Mt Cook itself is the highest peak in Australasia. The park is a World Heritage Site declared principally for its physical structure and unique mountains & glaciers. We move on to the Fiordland National Park – another World Heritage Site. On our journey we can catch up with some birding. On the road just south of Twizel is Lake Ohau and it is on the out flowing river that the extremely rare (some say the rarest wader worldwide) Black Stilts cling to existence (15 – 20 surviving Stilts). In the same area on the Ahuiri River one can find Paradise Shelduck, Grey Duck & in summer, Banded Dotterel. This flagship park is usually wet (rainfall of + 6 metres per annum), but has an incredibly good tourist infrastructure allowing us access to many wonderful walks and scenic areas. Milford Sound is breathtaking and is possibly New Zealand’s most famous and photographed tourist destination. The marvellously scenic drive from Te Anau along the Elington valley to the Milford Sound provides a number of birding opportunities. Along this route it is possible to see Kaka, New Zealand Falcon, Yellow-crowned Parakeet, Long-tailed Cuckoo, Rifleman, Yellowhead, Brown Creeper, Tomtit and even the elusive Rock Wren. An optional cruise on the fiord is a must for most visitors and the possibility of 3 penguin species make it more interesting for birders. Wonderful sub alpine herb fields dominate the landscape vegetation as well as some outstanding Red Beech forests in the northern section. Birding is usually good with some opportunities for previously missed species – Blue Duck being the most sought after. Stewart Island is the third of the large islands of New Zealand and is a natural history enthusiast’s dream with lowland forests, tree ferns, several species of orchids and a variety of ground plants. Along the coast the vegetation consists of muttonbird scrub, grass tree, tree daisies, supplejack & leatherwood compacting to form a dense impenetrable thicket. The island has a number of habituated endemic birds and it is not uncommon to see noisy Kaka parrots in the gardens of the “capital”, Oban (population about 400). Melodious Tui are found everywhere as are New Zealand Pigeons, Red-crowned & Yellow-crowned Parakeets, Long-tailed Cuckoo, Morepork, Fantails, Tomtits, Silvereyes & Redpoll. Of course the highlight will be the Brown Kiwis of Mason Bay. The long twilight periods found in this southern island have, together with minimal human disturbance, allowed the Brown Kiwi to become crepuscular or even diurnal rather than strictly nocturnal like other populations. (This is where the Kiwi sequences in the documentary “Life of Birds” were filmed). On the island, some Brown Kiwis have developed a beach lifestyle and they forage for sand hoppers under washed up kelp thereby helping us to locate this otherwise elusive & secretive bird. Dunedin and the Otago peninsula offer some interesting & unusual birds. The extreme tip of the peninsula has the only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross. The 30km drive to Taiaroa Heads is mostly along the edge of the harbour where a number of shore birds are visible. The observatory from which the Albatross, as well as Stewart Island & Spotted Shags, may be seen overlooks the protected nesting area. Breeding activity starts in October & continues for 12 months but from March onward, the adults leave their chicks, only returning periodically to feed their young for a short period before the cycle starts again. By September the nesting sites are deserted. The same peninsula is also one of a few sites to view endemic Yellow-eyed Penguins. These large penguins nest on the vegetated dunes of Otago as well as on Stewart Island to the south. The only chance to get good views is from a hide since the birds will not make an appearance in the presence of humans. Again, viewing is related to the breeding cycle which extends from August to March/April and one sees the birds when they return to the beach in the late afternoon with food for either their incubating mate or for young birds. There are of course a number of other birding opportunities around Dunedin as well as the possibility of seeing a New Zealand or Hooker’s sea lion on the beach. The tour ends in the beautiful and cultural city of Christchurch. Costs given on this website are a guideline only. Precise costs will be calculated on booking. Basic guideline costs are NZ$5300 per person sharing for the above 18 day tour. Single supplement is an additional NZ$960. This price excludes airfares – both local and international, and some evening meals. Our recommended 8 to 10 optional excursions (this includes boat trips and guided walks by specialist site guides) currently cost an additional NZ$1100 per person. Please email us for bookings and more information on tours to this region. Copyright © 2008 Pelican Safaris. All rights reserved |
