After our magical evening with the Okarito Kiwi, we headed south along the West Coast. Brief visit to look for a mountain view, which was unfortunately hidden by low cloud. So headed on to a secluded beach where we had two Fiordland Penguins emerging from the surf and heading up the beach. Lunch at Haast township then on to some forested sites where we had our best views of Rifleman, a pair visiting a nest site with food for their young. After a cold and wet night in Wanaka, we woke to bright sunshine and headed south towards Queenstown, stopping to take photos of a very obliging young NZ Falcon sitting on a telegraph pole right next to the road. On to Te Anau where we managed to reduce Miles’ stock of venison pies to zero. Excellent views of Rock Wren in the Eglinton, probably 3 birds, two of which were carrying feathers into a nest site. Quick visit to Milford Sound and then back to Te Anau for a curry.
Next morning, we had time for a look at a site in Invercargill, where we found the Chestnut-breasted Shelduck and then on to Stewart Island. Afternoon trip to Ulva Island produced numerous excellent close views of Yellowheads and Saddleback, with all the other endemics present in good numbers.
Weather looking good for kiwi spotting this evening…