SOUTHERN REGION - WESTLAND

Otira
Lake Mahinapua

South Westland Area
- Okarito
- Pakahi Walkway
- Three Mile Lagoon Walkway
- Okarito Trig Walk
- Lake Mapourika
- Landsborough Valley
- Haast Tokoeka (Kiwi) Sanctuary
- Munro Beach
- Hapuka Estuary

Otira

The area within a short radius of Otira township offers a number of good opportunities for birdwatchers to access varied habitat where a range of species may be encountered.  The beech and mixed podocarp forests of the upper Taramakau Valley, which are home for kea, kaka, roroa/great spotted kiwi, western weka, kakariki, kereru, koekoea/long-tailed and pipiwharauroa/shining cuckoos, kakaruai/robin, karearea/falcon and other forest birds can be reached on foot from the Aikens car-park. 

Kelly’s Creek track is a good way for keen fit walkers to reach the alpine tops on the Kelly Range, with the possibility of seeing forest and sub-alpine bird species on the way up, including most of those found in the Taramakau Valley.   A foot-track leading to the Otira River head-basin, which starts above the Otira viaduct from SH 73 at Lake Misery, saves a climb on foot for those who wish to see alpine and sub-alpine habitat where kea, rock wren, roroa/great spotted kiwi, pipipi/brown creeper and karearea/falcon may be found.  Roroa/great spotted kiwi and whio/blue duck are known from the sub-alpine basins on the Otira side of Arthurs Pass.

 Whio/blue duck, roroa/great spotted kiwi, and many of the forest bird species mentioned above can also be found in the Deception Valley.

Lake Mahinapua

This lowland lake is approximately 10 minutes drive south of Hokitika.  Vehicle access to the lake is possible from the Mahinapua camp-ground.  The best way to see birds on and around the lake margins is definitely by kayak, allowing a quiet approach to areas of wetland habitat.  The mouth of Mirror Creek is a good place to regularly see kotuku/white and white-faced heron, kotuku-ngutupapa/royal spoonbill, matuku/bittern occasionally, and matata/fernbird.

Forest and forest edge species such as riroriro/grey warbler, pipipi /brown creeper, miromiro/tomtit, piwakawaka/fantail, tui, bellbird, tauhou/silvereye, kotare/kingfisher, pipiwharauroa/shining cuckoo, kereru, and karearea/falcon can be seen in and throughout mixed podocarp forest which surrounds the lake.  Good numbers of waterfowl, including putakitaki/paradise shelduck, black swan, papango/scaup, parera/grey and mallard duck, can be seen around Daylight Bight regularly.  Koau/little shag, koau/black shag, and koau/pied shag, also kotuku/white and white faced heron, kotuku-ngutupapa/royal spoonbill, torea/South Island pied oystercatcher, can also be seen along this shoreline.  Kamana/Australasian crested grebe have also been recorded from Lake Mahinapua occasionally.

The outlet of Mahinapua Creek is another area where matuku/bittern and matata/fernbird are likely to be heard, and possibly seen particularly in spring.

South Westland Area

South Westland has a wide variety of both coastal, forest and alpine birds.  Although South Westland and New Zealand as a whole has an abundance of forests, food and water it has seen a significant decline of bird life, due mainly to the introduction of predators such as stoats, rats and possums.

Okarito

Okarito turnoff from State Highway 6 is signposted 13 km north of Franz Josef and 14 km south of Whataroa.  The road meanders 12 kilometres west to a small village on the edge of the Tasman Sea. It is renowned for its birdlife including wading and migratory species, forest species and the rowi/Okarito brown kiwi. 

Pakahi Walkway

Located halfway between the main road and the village of Okarito, this is a short, gentle climb through native bush to a lookout point over the Okarito Lagoon.  Clear days will reward you with spectacular views of the Southern Alps.  Along the way watch for the South Island matata /fernbird and South Island kakaruai/robin.  Also common are korimako/bellbird, miromiro/tomtit, tauhou/silvereye, tui and kereru.

Three Mile Lagoon Walkway

From the village of Okarito, this walkway departs from a Department of Conservation sign posted track along the main village road - The Strand.  It is a rolling grade through native bush, atop the bluffs adjacent to the Tasman Sea, through the bush watch for miromiro /tomtit, korimako/bellbird, tui, piwakaka/fantail and riroriro/grey warbler.  The return walk is along the beach and must be done within two hours of low tide.  Watch for korora/blue penguin tracks, karoro/black backed gull, torea /oyster catcher, koau/shags, karearea/falcon cruising the bluffs.  Kekeno/New Zealand fur seals can be seen along this beach, and watch for Hector's dolphins out to sea. 

Okarito Trig Walk

Likely Okarito's most famous walk - this begins at the same track as the above Three Mile Lagoon.  After about 20 minutes a track turns off from the main walkway and leads up quite steeply another 20 minutes.  Steps and benches provide easier access.  Watch for forest birds including riroriro/grey warbler, miromiro/tomtit, piwakawaka/fantail, korimako/bellbird and tui - these especially at the top of the track.  The top rewards you with magnificent views of the Tasman Sea, Okarito Lagoon and the Southern Alps and Franz Josef Glacier, kea also visit this area, with a nesting pair observed there frequently this season (summer 2009). 

Lake Mapourika

Lake Mapourika is on the State Highway between Franz Josef and the Okarito turn off and has a picnic spot and parking areas along fringes of road skirting the lake.  From these areas you can see the following birds: kamana/crested grebe, papango/scaup, parera/grey duck, mallard duck, black swan, koau/white-throated shag, white faced heron, kotare/kingfisher, kereru, tui, korimako/bellbird, miromiro/tomtit, riroriro/grey warbler, pipipi/brown creeper, tauhou/silvereye and kakaruai/robin.

Landsborough Valley

There is a reasonable population of Yellowhead in the Landsborough valley. They can be seen feeding in the canopy of mainly beech trees. They have a loud trill and rattling call.  The Landsborough valley is an area where DOC has been very active in predator control and this work is primarily to protect the Yellowhead in the area.

Access to the Landsborough Valley is on State Highway 6 heading east from Haast to Wanaka. Turn left immediately after the Pleasant Flat bridge and follow the road until you reach the old homestead. The road is rough and a 4x4 vehicle is required.  From there you can walk on a very basic track to Strutts Bluff and into the valley. The track can be difficult the further you go into the valley. This track should only be taken if you are a fit and experienced tramper and it is recommended that the appropriate topographical map is used on the trip.

Haast Tokoeka (Kiwi) Sanctuary

The Haast tokoeka is now thought to have a population of between 200-300. Haast tokoeka are threatened mainly by stoats, rats, possum, domestic dogs and cats. DOC has done extensive predator control work in the sanctuary and with BNZ is working hard at saving the species.

Tokoeka can be heard at dusk in the sanctuary (shrill trilling sound), however catching sight of one is very rare. The best way to see one of these endangered birds is to volunteer for a few weeks work with the Kiwi Team, based at the Haast Visitor centre.

The Haast Tokoeka Sanctuary is managed by DOC, but is open to the public. The area can best be accessed by heading south from Haast towards Jackson Bay with an access point at the Arawhata Road bridge. There are a number of tracks in the sanctuary some go up into alpine areas and along these tracks the DOC maintains the trapping network. The tracks can be muddy and steep in places.  Only fit and experienced trampers should consider going into the sanctuary.

The kaka is a large parrot and a close relative to the kea. They are found in large areas of native forests and like to feed on the nectar from kowhai and rata flowers and berries from matai and miro trees.  In South Westland a good place to see these birds can be seen are in the Haast Tokoeka Sanctuary.  They are also more common in the forests further south though access can be more difficult.

Munro Beach

Fiordland crested penguin is found along the coast of South Westland and is most likely to be seen from August to November when during this time the penguin comes onto land to breed.  Munro Beach is probably the easiest area see Fiordland crested penguins.

Munro Beach is accessible from State Highway 6 between Haast and Fox Glacier. Driving north from Haast turn left immediately after the lake Moeraki bridge (Doc has a clear sign on the road). It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk to the beach from the car park. Please read and follow DOC interpretation panels and heed the request not to get to close to the penguins.

Hapuka Estuary

The Hapuka estuary can be found on the Jackson Bay road.  When heading south from Haast Beach it is situated on the left hand side just after crossing the Turnbull River. DOC has clear signage at the turn off point.