The story of the Ulva Island
Sanctuary probably starts with the efforts of Charles Traill,
the first Postmaster, who persuaded the Government of the day to
have the Island declared a reserve over 100 years ago. Ulva
became a "destination" for early tourists, partly because of its
Island situation and virgin forest and partly because of it's
"Southern-most Post Office" status. Stewart Island forest by
then would have been quite significantly logged within the area
around the village and for some distance to the west.
Rats and later White-tailed deer were early invaders of both
Ulva and Stewart Island and over the years had a significant
effect on forest ecosystems.
The deer problem was addressed by NZ Forest Service as early as
1969/70 with a hand poisoning program, which was ultimately
successful after some 4 or 5 years work. This resulted in
significant regeneration of palatable species.
Department of Conservation took over management of Stewart
Island from the old Lands & Survey Dept and NZ Forest Service in
the '80's and initiated a hand eradication program aimed
at rats in the '90's. This probably took only 9 months work
although it was another 4 years before the Island was declared
rat free and threatened/endangered species liberation could
begin.
Today Ulva Island has joined an elite group of animal free
sanctuaries and is perhaps the closest to pristine of any area of
new Zealand open to the public. The response of Ulva Island to
it's animal free state is best illustrated by a comparative walk
through forest on Stewart Island, followed by time on Ulva.
RSS
Birds we have seen on the way to and while ashore on Ulva Island
(in no particular order)
(in no particular order)
Click on the
underlined birds names for details on each bird.
In time we hope to have bird song and photos for most, if not all species
In time we hope to have bird song and photos for most, if not all species
Land Birds :-
Shore & Sea Birds :-
- Black Billed Gull
- Red Billed Gull
- Black Backed Gull
- Black (Variable) Oystercatcher
- South Island Pied Oystercatcher
- White Fronted Tern
- Shy Mollymawk
- Bullers Mollymawk
- Southern Royal Albatross
- Little Blue Penguin
- Yellow Eyed Penguin
- Cape Pigeon
- Fairy Prion
- Gannet
- Stewart Island Shag
- Little (Blue) Shag
- Pied Shag
- Sooty Shearwater
This year
(2009) the Ulva Island Trust will have
Sirocco the Kakapo on display
from 26th September until 26 October. Bookings are essential.
Please note that while I have included Kakapo, sadly he is only a temporary visitor.
Please note that while I have included Kakapo, sadly he is only a temporary visitor.
There are many excellent birding books available but in
particular
I have used the Readers Digest Complete Book of New Zealand
Birds (ISBN 0 949819 62 X)
to supplement my own observations. . Long out of print and coffee table size it is often found in second hand book shops at around $50.
For further reference books look on our bibliography page
to supplement my own observations. . Long out of print and coffee table size it is often found in second hand book shops at around $50.
For further reference books look on our bibliography page
I use an Edirol R-09HR for field recordings.
In time I hope to build a library of the various songs and phrases we hear. You will find these on the appropriate birds pages, with a short explanatory note as to the circumstances. The recordings will be in MP3 format. But the original recordings are .wav, sampled at 24bit/96khz.
In time I hope to build a library of the various songs and phrases we hear. You will find these on the appropriate birds pages, with a short explanatory note as to the circumstances. The recordings will be in MP3 format. But the original recordings are .wav, sampled at 24bit/96khz.
