Planning South Island Birding (Mar-26)
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 11:52 pm
Hi All
I will be visiting South Island in Mar 2026 for a mix of general sightseeing/birding.
The forum has been a wonderful source of info and has assisted in my initial planning
My current route is
Christchurch>>Mt Cook Area>>Dunedin>>Stewart Island>>Te Anau>>Wanaka>>Franz Glacier>>Hokitika>>Punakaiki>>Abel Tasman>>Picton>>Kaikoura>>Christchurch
Would like to seek further kind advice on the below
1. Pelagic Tours (Stewart Island and Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter)
- I currently have a 200-800mm (35mm equivalent) lens
- Understand the birds can get really close to the boats on the pelagics. Would I miss out on a lot of interesting shots if I didnt have a shorter lens?
- Am considering renting a 80-300mm lens f/2.8 lens for the pelagic if needed. And was also thinking it may be useful for the blue penguins at Purekura Dunedin and dolphin trips?
- Only cost and the additional weight are a detterence to renting
2. Stewart Island/Ulva Island
- How many hours on Ulva should I allocate? (more is always better, but only have 2 full days)
- Is it worth taking 2 pelagic trips out? Or should I see most species in one session?
- Is birding on Stewart Island pretty good? Should I spend more time on the island? Any key spots?
- Have seen mixed reports on blue penguins turning up at the wharf. Are there reliable spots on the island?
- Are the shearwaters still returning to Acker Point's in the evening?
3. Westland Petrel Colony
- Anybody visited the Westland Petrel Colony Tour? How was the experience on it
- Couldn't find much detailed reviews online for it
4. Targeted Spots for specific species
- Trawling through various trip reports, I am targeting the below spots for certain species. Would love to hear if there are other good spots along my general route
a. Fernbird:
- Bushy Point (Invercargill) - area near the now-defunct Fernbird B&B
- Is there particular spots in this area that I should search at?
b. Rock Wren:
- Homer Tunnel East Entrance/Getrude Saddle - rocky areas
- Is this still a good spot? Is there particular spots in these areas that I should search at?
c. Black Stilt:
- Area where Lake Mcgregor empties into Lake Tekapo
- Glentanner area - enter gravel road north of the airstrip, walk towards delta
- Twizel Ohau Substation Area
d. Yellow Eyed Penguin:
- Bushy Beach. How many hours before sunset should I be there?
e. Blue Duck:
- Am thinking Monkey Creek (Milford Sound Area)/Kawhaka Creek (Greymouth)?
- Any other easier spots along my route?
f. Stewart Island Kiwi
- Football Field Field area
- Mason Bay
g. Cirl Bunting
- Blenheim WTP
- General Nelson-Blenheim-Christchurch area
h. Orange Fronted Parakeet
- Near Toilets/Drop-off Point on Blumine Island
i. Otago Shags
- Sumpter Wharf Oamaru
j. Brown Creeper
- Hinewai Reserve
k New Zealand Grebe
- Taylor Dam
- Lake Elterwater
j. For the below species, which spots would be good for photography?
- Wrybill
- Double Banded Plover
- Royal Spoonbill
Thank you in advance!
Matt
I will be visiting South Island in Mar 2026 for a mix of general sightseeing/birding.
The forum has been a wonderful source of info and has assisted in my initial planning
My current route is
Christchurch>>Mt Cook Area>>Dunedin>>Stewart Island>>Te Anau>>Wanaka>>Franz Glacier>>Hokitika>>Punakaiki>>Abel Tasman>>Picton>>Kaikoura>>Christchurch
Would like to seek further kind advice on the below
1. Pelagic Tours (Stewart Island and Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter)
- I currently have a 200-800mm (35mm equivalent) lens
- Understand the birds can get really close to the boats on the pelagics. Would I miss out on a lot of interesting shots if I didnt have a shorter lens?
- Am considering renting a 80-300mm lens f/2.8 lens for the pelagic if needed. And was also thinking it may be useful for the blue penguins at Purekura Dunedin and dolphin trips?
- Only cost and the additional weight are a detterence to renting
2. Stewart Island/Ulva Island
- How many hours on Ulva should I allocate? (more is always better, but only have 2 full days)
- Is it worth taking 2 pelagic trips out? Or should I see most species in one session?
- Is birding on Stewart Island pretty good? Should I spend more time on the island? Any key spots?
- Have seen mixed reports on blue penguins turning up at the wharf. Are there reliable spots on the island?
- Are the shearwaters still returning to Acker Point's in the evening?
3. Westland Petrel Colony
- Anybody visited the Westland Petrel Colony Tour? How was the experience on it
- Couldn't find much detailed reviews online for it
4. Targeted Spots for specific species
- Trawling through various trip reports, I am targeting the below spots for certain species. Would love to hear if there are other good spots along my general route
a. Fernbird:
- Bushy Point (Invercargill) - area near the now-defunct Fernbird B&B
- Is there particular spots in this area that I should search at?
b. Rock Wren:
- Homer Tunnel East Entrance/Getrude Saddle - rocky areas
- Is this still a good spot? Is there particular spots in these areas that I should search at?
c. Black Stilt:
- Area where Lake Mcgregor empties into Lake Tekapo
- Glentanner area - enter gravel road north of the airstrip, walk towards delta
- Twizel Ohau Substation Area
d. Yellow Eyed Penguin:
- Bushy Beach. How many hours before sunset should I be there?
e. Blue Duck:
- Am thinking Monkey Creek (Milford Sound Area)/Kawhaka Creek (Greymouth)?
- Any other easier spots along my route?
f. Stewart Island Kiwi
- Football Field Field area
- Mason Bay
g. Cirl Bunting
- Blenheim WTP
- General Nelson-Blenheim-Christchurch area
h. Orange Fronted Parakeet
- Near Toilets/Drop-off Point on Blumine Island
i. Otago Shags
- Sumpter Wharf Oamaru
j. Brown Creeper
- Hinewai Reserve
k New Zealand Grebe
- Taylor Dam
- Lake Elterwater
j. For the below species, which spots would be good for photography?
- Wrybill
- Double Banded Plover
- Royal Spoonbill
Thank you in advance!
Matt