Page 27 - The Villager August 2021

Birding

Mirror Lakes (RS) Lake Pukaki (RS)

Fox Glacier (RS) Kea (RS) Lake Brunner
for the Rock Wren, which were quickly located (two pairs) again visits to Redcliff Wetland Reserve and Pearl Harbour on Lake
thanks to the ears of Des and Kirsty. Manapouri for an unsuccessful search for a NZ Falcon. A short
We successfully negotiated the 1200m-long tunnel, but not trip to the flood control gates lookout then a drive to Cascade
without some trepidation given the recent drama of a tourist Creek helped to pass the time, as there was little else to do, given
bus bursting into flames a few days earlier. Fortunately, everyone the unpleasant weather – overcast with an icy wind coming off
was evacuated on foot without any injuries. the surrounding mountains. Des and Kirsty arrived that evening
We then stopped at the Mount Tutiko lay-bye alongside a having enjoyed a great day kayaking at Milford and then cycling
rushing mountain stream, ideal habitat for yet another NZ avian back to the motor park.
rarity, the Blue Duck. Sure enough, there sitting on a rock out in That night, it rained incessantly. The next morning, we
the sunshine, was a Blue Duck, our third target bird. This unique headed north for Queenstown and Omarama, again in the
species of duck possesses specialised features, which have pouring rain. In our quest for a sighting of the critically
evolved as a physical adaptation necessary for it to live in its endangered Black Stilt (132 individuals remaining) we started
high-country river environment. Its bill, which is soft and pliable, with a visit to the Visitors Centre in Twizel for directions to
has upper mandible flaps, which protect the lower mandible the suggested Lake Macgregor as a possible site for the bird.
during its search among rough rocks and turbulent waters for its Unable to even find the lake, we decided to drive to Cass River,
food; insect larvae and under-stone algae. It had taken us three considered as an alternative site offering suitable habitat for
hours to locate our three target bird species. the Black Stilt.
It is hard to describe the beauty of the magnificent scenery Des and Kirsty, energetic as ever, decided on a walk down
of Milford Sound, which included a brief walk to the impressive the river and discovered a breeding Wrybill. This small Plover
Bowen Falls, one of many waterfalls in the area. On the way is considered to be unique in the world of birds for having the
from Milford Sound, we dropped Des and Kirsty off at the local end segment of its bill distinctly curved, without exception,
camping ground a few kilometres out of town for an overnight towards the right, a feature that has evolved to assist the bird
stay and kayaking in the Sound the following morning. They in its search for food amongst the numerous rocks and pebbles
then returned to the motor park for the night. in the habitat it frequents. They also came across numerous
A day of relative leisure followed for Maureen and I with Double-banded Plovers (Dotterels) but no Stilt.

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