Bird paradise

I’d heard of Tiri Tiri Matangi from Stan who loves birds, and had said this is his favourite place.   I can see why.  We took the catamaran across the harbour on a windy Sunday morning.  The captain said it might get a bit sloppy - luckily we didn’t see our breakfasts again, but it was certainly bumpy.  There was a group of paddle surfers - very muscular tanned guys in wetsuits, who were going to paddle back to the harbour.  They were fortifying themselves with energy drinks, tinned rice pudding and more energy drinks.  Mind you, I think one felt seasick!

When we got to the island, they paddled off.  After our sea kayaking, I can’t imagine what there is to enjoy about standing up on a board paddling & presumably falling in lots of times, but they said they love it.

Anyway, the island is a sanctuary for flightless birds as all predators (rats, stoats, cats & dogs) have been removed.  You have to ensure your bag isn’t containing a rodent before stepping onshore.  We had a guided walk.  The volunteer has been involved for the 20 odd years it’s been running, and used to come out when you had to charter a fishing boat to get out, and sleep in a tent.  It was amazing.  The birds were everywhere, and when it rained she said the bellbirds make more noise, so we were lucky that it did!

One of the rarest is the takahe a large flightless swamp hen.  We saw these, they look a bit prehistoric really.  We didn’t see kiwis as they’re nocturnal, but we saw & heard Stitchbirds, bellbirds and saddlebacks which were all beautiful.  There is a also a prehistoric creature the tuatara there, but it’s nocturnal so again we didn’t see it.  The native plants and trees were amazing, it felt very ancient,although much was new, grown on the pasture that had been put there for grazing stock.  On the way back we saw some good seabirds as well, and it whetted my appetite for New Zealand birds.