Ulva Island Birding with Ruggedy Range™

One of our most popular tours. We walk the Island's track, at a gentle pace with frequent stops to listen to birdsong, view endemic and native bird species. Learn interesting facts about our birds, their behaviour and habitat from our passionate and knowledgeable guides. Enjoy some lovely photo opportunities along the way.

You may hear kaka (native parrot) calling their liquid honey notes, interspersed with the bellbird's exquisite notes and the wonderfully varied calls of the tui. Watch lime-green parakeet flying amongst the treetops. Glimpse rare saddleback and yellowhead and try to spot New Zealand's smallest bird the rifleman. Occasionally a kiwi is seen wondering in the forest.

Our trips on Ulva Island are either 4.5 or 8.5 hours, shorter by arrangement. On full day tours we enjoy an exclusive walk to The Snuggery - a tranquil bay on the southeastern shore of Ulva Island. We spend more time on Ulva Island, take you further and show you more so you get the best out of your visit!

LOCATION

Learn more about Ulva Island.

BIRDS SEEN

More commonly seen birds include:

Land birds: South Island saddleback, yellowhead, Stewart Island robin, South Island rifleman, red-crowned parakeet, yellow-crowned parakeet, Stewart Island weka, South Island kaka, wood pigeon, brown creeper, tui, bellbird, South Island tomtit, fantail, grey warbler, morepork, kingfisher.

Shore birds: Stewart Island shag, spotted shag, pied shag, little shag, black-backed gull, red-billed gull, variable oystercatcher.

Sea birds: White-capped mollymawks, little blue penguins.

WILDLIFE SEEN

New Zealand sealion and fur seals may occasionally visit Ulva Island.

WEAR AND BRING

Day pack, raincoat, warm clothing, warm hat and gloves, water bottle, snack, camera and binoculars. Wear sneakers or comfortable walking shoes.