Page 21 - Dainfern Precinct Living 7 2021

STORY TITLE
BIRDING

algae. It had taken us
three hours to locate
our three target bird
species.

It is hard to describe
the magnificent
scenery of Milford
Sound. Our visit
included a brief walk
to the impressive
Bowen Falls, one of
many waterfalls in
the area. On the way
from Milford Sound,
we dropped Des and
Double-banded Plover (AR) Kirsty off at the local
We successfully negotiated the camping ground a few
1200m-long tunnel, although with kilometres out of town
a little trepidation due to the recent for an overnight stay
drama of a tourist bus bursting into and kayaking in the
flames a few days earlier. Fortunately, Sound the following
everyone was evacuated on foot morning. They then
without any injuries. returned to the motor
park for the night.
We then stopped at the Mount Tutiko
lay-bye alongside a rushing mountain A day of relative Mirror Lakes (RS)
stream, ideal habitat for yet another leisure followed
NZ avian rarity, the Blue Duck. Sure for Maureen and I with visits to That night, it rained incessantly. The
enough, there sitting on a rock out in Redcliff Wetland Reserve and Pearl next morning, we headed north for
the sunshine, was a Blue Duck, our Harbour on Lake Manapouri for an Queenstown and Omarama, again
third target bird. This unique species unsuccessful search for a NZ Falcon. in the pouring rain. In our quest for a
of duck possesses specialised A short trip to the flood control gates sighting of the critically endangered
features, which have evolved as lookout then a drive to Cascade Creek Black Stilt (132 individuals remaining)
a physical adaptation necessary helped to pass the time, as there was we started with a visit to the Visitors
for it to live in its high-country river little else to do, given the unpleasant Centre in Twizel for directions to
environment. Its bill, which is soft and weather – overcast with an icy wind the suggested Lake Macgregor as
pliable, has upper mandible flaps, coming off the surrounding mountains. a possible site for the bird. Unable
which protect the lower mandible Des and Kirsty arrived that evening to even find the lake, we decided to
during its search among rough having enjoyed a great day kayaking drive to Cass River, considered as
rocks and turbulent waters for its at Milford and then cycling back to the an alternative site offering suitable
food − insect larvae and under-stone motor park. habitat for the Black Stilt.

Lake Pukaki (RS) 2 19
DPL