Bird Watching On New Zealand"s Otamatuna Island
New Zealand has long been fabled as the long lost land of birds; such an abstract biography for any country, almost unbelievable had New Zealand not the fossil record to prove such a statement.
Today the bird watching scene in New Zealand is somewhat derived from its past and once intangible biota. The forests are eerie quiet, so empty of birds compared to that of years ago. These unique and individual species have been decimated by man; habitat destruction through the country's vast forestry industry and the introduction of non-native predators. All that is left now are the remains and legends of a lost fauna. But still, even though bird watching in New Zealand's present state would in no way come close to comparing to that of pre-human times, the vast amount of native and endangered species of birds found in this beautiful land is quite breathtaking, especially to those with the acquired gratitude and appreciation for bird watching.
In the North Island, between the Tauranga and Te Waiiti rivers lies the small island of Otamatuna; 1200 hectares in size, embraced with beech forest to the west and pine to the east. This complicated and delicate island is a bird watching favorite and is home to nearly the full compliment of North Island native birds. Found on this island and native to New Zealand is of course the country's iconic Kiwi; the flightless bird that has long been recognized and reveled as the country's national icon as much as it is endangered. Even with the help of a radio receiver and scout dog, finding this beautiful creature on Otamatuna Island is still a chore - but tagging, even seeing this flightless beauty is pure delight to anyone who knows the hurtful history of this bird's existence.
Another native and favorite to bird watchers in New Zealand is the Kokako. The Kokako responds duly to a call-tape being played while on track and this beautiful slate-grey, black masked forest bird is endemic to Otamatuna Island. These gorgeous birds with their haunting choir-like sound are a New Zealand treasure. Bird watching to the serious means getting up at the break of dawn, not a favorite act for anyone, but the rewards for doing so in New Zealand are delightfully vast. The dawn chorus of tracks through Otamatuna Island are a hymn of sounds; the Tui, the Rifleman and the Bush Robin among dozens more, light up the mist of the morning track with their song.
Scouting on Otamatuna Island may not be accessible for the average bird watcher, but if international bird chasing is on your list of things to do, then this gorgeous area of New Zealand is highly recommended. Many bird enthusiasts travel from Australia and surrounding islands to visit Otamatuna. There are dozens of long-term programs and support groups established to increase the awareness of dangers to these creatures, and anyone visiting the area is suggested to visit such an establishment to see the extent a country will go to, in order to protect its national treasures.
Today the bird watching scene in New Zealand is somewhat derived from its past and once intangible biota. The forests are eerie quiet, so empty of birds compared to that of years ago. These unique and individual species have been decimated by man; habitat destruction through the country's vast forestry industry and the introduction of non-native predators. All that is left now are the remains and legends of a lost fauna. But still, even though bird watching in New Zealand's present state would in no way come close to comparing to that of pre-human times, the vast amount of native and endangered species of birds found in this beautiful land is quite breathtaking, especially to those with the acquired gratitude and appreciation for bird watching.
In the North Island, between the Tauranga and Te Waiiti rivers lies the small island of Otamatuna; 1200 hectares in size, embraced with beech forest to the west and pine to the east. This complicated and delicate island is a bird watching favorite and is home to nearly the full compliment of North Island native birds. Found on this island and native to New Zealand is of course the country's iconic Kiwi; the flightless bird that has long been recognized and reveled as the country's national icon as much as it is endangered. Even with the help of a radio receiver and scout dog, finding this beautiful creature on Otamatuna Island is still a chore - but tagging, even seeing this flightless beauty is pure delight to anyone who knows the hurtful history of this bird's existence.
Another native and favorite to bird watchers in New Zealand is the Kokako. The Kokako responds duly to a call-tape being played while on track and this beautiful slate-grey, black masked forest bird is endemic to Otamatuna Island. These gorgeous birds with their haunting choir-like sound are a New Zealand treasure. Bird watching to the serious means getting up at the break of dawn, not a favorite act for anyone, but the rewards for doing so in New Zealand are delightfully vast. The dawn chorus of tracks through Otamatuna Island are a hymn of sounds; the Tui, the Rifleman and the Bush Robin among dozens more, light up the mist of the morning track with their song.
Scouting on Otamatuna Island may not be accessible for the average bird watcher, but if international bird chasing is on your list of things to do, then this gorgeous area of New Zealand is highly recommended. Many bird enthusiasts travel from Australia and surrounding islands to visit Otamatuna. There are dozens of long-term programs and support groups established to increase the awareness of dangers to these creatures, and anyone visiting the area is suggested to visit such an establishment to see the extent a country will go to, in order to protect its national treasures.
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