Page 27 - Waterfall Issue 6 2021

Lake Pukaki (RS)

Mirror Lakes (RS)
with wonderful and ancient, moss-
covered beech forest in the valleys
and lower slopes of massive snow-
clad, jagged mountain peaks reaching
up into the bluest of blue skies,
providing an unforgettable spectacle.
Kea (RS) Fox Glacier (RS)
The tunnel approach was not, however, high-country river environment.
without incident. The traffic authorities Its bill, which is soft and pliable,
had induced a number of avalanches to has upper mandible flaps, which
make the area safe for travel, requiring protect the lower mandible during
that tons of snow, ice and other debris its search among rough rocks and
had to be cleared from the road before turbulent waters for its food; insect
traffic was permitted to proceed. larvae and under-stone algae. It
Taking advantage of this essential stop, had taken us three hours to locate
our party immediately alighted and set our three target bird species.
off on a 20-minute walk into an area
of tussock grass and giant boulders, It is hard to describe the beauty
ideal habitat for the Rock Wren, which of the magnificent scenery of Lake Brunner
were quickly located (two pairs) again Milford Sound, which included a
thanks to the ears of Des and kirsty. brief walk to the impressive Bowen wind coming off the surrounding
Falls, one of many waterfalls in the mountains. Des and kirsty arrived
We successfully negotiated the area. On the way from Milford Sound, that evening having enjoyed a great
1200m-long tunnel, but not without we dropped Des and kirsty off at the day kayaking at Milford and then
some trepidation given the recent local camping ground a few kilometres cycling back to the Motor Park.
drama of a tourist bus bursting out of town for an overnight stay and
into flames a few days earlier. kayaking in the Sound the following That night, it rained incessantly. The
Fortunately, everyone was evacuated morning. They then returned to next morning, we headed north for
on foot without any injuries. the Motor Park for the night. Queenstown and Omarama, again
in the pouring rain. In our quest for a
We then stopped at the Mount Tutiko A day of relative leisure followed for sighting of the critically endangered
lay-bye alongside a rushing mountain Maureen and I with visits to Redcliff Black Stilt (132 individuals remaining)
stream, ideal habitat for yet another Wetland Reserve and Pearl Harbour on we started with a visit to the Visitors
NZ avian rarity, the Blue Duck. Sure Lake Manapouri for an unsuccessful Centre in Twizel for directions to
enough, there sitting on a rock out search for a NZ Falcon. A short trip the suggested Lake Macgregor as
in the sunshine, was a Blue Duck, our to the flood control gates lookout a possible site for the bird. unable
third target bird. This unique species then a drive to Cascade Creek helped to even find the lake, we decided
of duck possesses specialised features, to pass the time, as there was little to drive to Cass River, considered
which have evolved as a physical else to do, given the unpleasant as an alternative site offering
adaptation necessary for it to live in its weather – overcast with an icy suitable habitat for the Black Stilt.

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