New Zealand February - June 2015, Southern West Coast

After the unsatisfying record of Blue Duck (Whio) at the Copland Track, we followed the advice of Ian from Okarito Kiwi Tours, to try to find them at the Blowfly Hut (now called Blue River hut). This hut is located a two to three hours walk from the Haast Highway along the Paringa Track. We walked the track to the hut and had a search at the river, which truly looks like decent Blue Duck habitat. Unfortunately we only found a Great Cormorant. We had a look at the visitors dairy of the hut and it seemed that two groups have come here to look for Blue Ducks within the past two years. Both did not see any. Birds we did observe along the Paring Track included New Zealand Pipit, Tui, Bellbird and Tomtit. Access to the trail head at the Haast Highway may prove difficult by public transport. Again hitchhiking seems like an option...

We had another stop a bit south of the Paringa Track at Lake Moeraki. During a different time of the year, this is a very good site to see Fiordland Crested Penguins. Unfortunately, during this time of year we only observed some Black Swans and Paradise Shelducks at the lake. Ombler mentions Australasian Crested Grebes to be present at this lake, but we did not find any. Access to this lake by public transport is similar to the Paringa track.

Male and female Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata)

A little bit further from Lake Moeraki, we had a quick stop at Knight's Point, as this is supposed to be a good spot to enjoy the stunning coastline of the West Coast. The weather was extraordinary, compared to the previous days and so I scanned the Tasman Sea for a couple of minutes. This resulted in a dozen of "Shy" Albatrosses (probably White-capped Albatrosses) flying past! Two Sooty Shearwaters were also observed. Both species were observed using mere binoculars. I guess this can be a very productive seawatching site, provided the weather is favorable and telescopes are used. Knight's Point might be easier to reach by Public Transport than the other sites, as several busses pulled over while we were here so that tourists could have a short break and soak in the scenery.