Today has been a birder's dream! So be prepared to be bored if you aren't into NZ birds! However I'm sure we will impress you all with our tame kaka!

We were up very early this morning for our flight to Stewart Island. For those of you who aren't familiar with NZ geography, Stewart Island is the 3rd largest of the islands that make up NZ. It is much smaller than North and South islands and much less frequented but this makes it a haven for birds. Many native species have been predated on by introduced mammals from Europe such as stoats and rats on the bigger islands but they have managed to keep Stewart Island free from these mammals and therefore the bird life is abundant - hence our visit!

Our flight was in a small 10 seater plane and only took 15 mins. We were met by Pip from our motel, who gave us a quick tour of Oban, the only town. She then took us to our room even though it was before 9am. I say room but actually it is more of a small apartment! And it has lovely views over Halfmoon Bay here in Oban.

Oban, Stewart Island

We have a decked area to sit out on and no sooner had we gone out onto it than we were joined by the resident kaka - a NZ parrot. He is very inquisitive and has obviously been fed by previous guests. We are doing our best not to do this whilst taking every opportunity to photograph him! Call it exploitation if you like but he doesn't seem too affronted!

Our resident kaka

We decided as the weather wasn't too bad and we were here nice and early that we would go to Ulva island - an even smaller island just off Stewart Island with even more birds! Having bought some sandwiches and water we made our way to the ferry and were there within 5 mins. As soon as we set foot on the island we were surrounded by birdsong - particularly from tui and bellbirds but also from fantail, robins, yellowheads and saddlebacks. I don't think we have ever been anywhere so alive with the music of birdsong. Sorry to be so lyrical but it was amazing.

We had our lunch sitting on a small beach, entertained by fantails and robins. The latter are not like ours but are Stewart Island robins and are black and white. They are tame and will allow you to get very close. During the rest of our stay on the island we saw many species and were particularly pleased to see saddlebacks again and a weka and more than one rifleman! (having trouble with the plural of this one!)

A beautiful Stewart Island robin

The weather wasn't brilliant and it rained quite hard for most of the afternoon. However we were undaunted and returned to our motel very pleased with our bird tally!

Tonight we have eaten at one of the few restaurants available and had a very good meal. Tomorrow I'm hoping we can take it easy as I'm rather footsore. Good job we have a spa bath again!