Ulva Island

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Tue 5 Aug 2014 22:47
Our Bimble on Ulva Island
 
 
 
 
 
 
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This little chap met us by the quayside, the only one we were to see. Ian’s taxi waiting quietly. Ian followed us by a couple of minutes.
 
 
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Off we roared across Paterson Inlet and twenty minutes later we watched as Ian and his boat were getting smaller. This is the very first time we’ve been marooned anywhere. Mmmm, we stood and thought about that for a while. Ian promised to come back for us at four, but said if it bucketed down he would come over earlier. There are a couple of huts to shelter in, so all was well.
 

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The Department of Conservation currently maintains the public portion of the island including its predator free status. A small portion of the island (approximately twenty acres between Sydney Cove and Post Office Bay) is privately owned that has passed through several generations of the same family. We walked off the jetty and the private bit was to our right, the owners use the property as their holiday home.

 

 

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We found a map and the well made track and off we went. Very soon we heard scruffing about in the edge.

 

 

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No sooner than this nosy little weka had heard us, than he was out from his scruffing. There he was poking at Bear, first his shoes then his socks. Next his bag, behind and juice net. Nothing to eat and nothing offered he went back to his scruffing, leaves and sticks flying everywhere. Would a gambling person bet on this flightless bird being able to swim a single stroke, long toes, stubby tail and quite heavy. Three feet, three yards or three quarters of a mile – believe it or not he can use his tail like a yuloh oar, waggling it from side to side and is such a very effective swimmer, he can make best part of a mile. We would not have won a penny in the bet.

 

 

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This Stewart Island robin didn’t give us a second glance, he was concentrating on the weka, watching for any insects that might get disturbed.  

 
Ulva Island (from Scottish Gaelic: Eilean na Ulbha) is a small island just over two miles long, it has an area of about six hundred and seventy acres, the majority of which is part of Rakiura National Park. It was named after the island of Ulva in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland and was formerly called Coopers Island. Ulva Island's relative isolation, but easy access from Stewart Island has allowed it to become an important natural resource area. It is a sanctuary for both birds and plants, holding species that on the mainland of New Zealand are rare or have died out. In 1997, the island was declared rat-free, following an eradication program, and extirpated birds have been reintroduced to the island. The birds include the South Island saddleback (tieke), yellowhead (mohua) and Stewart Island robin (toutouwai). Other birds on the island that are rare on the mainland include the Stewart Island Brown Kiwi (tokoeka), Rifleman (Tītitipounamu), Yellow-crowned and Red-fronted Parakeet, and South Island Kākā or forest parrot, as well as several other species. The endangered Yellow-eyed penguin uses the island for breeding sites. Occasionally rats make their way to the island but are caught in a network of traps. DOC visit from time to time with sniffer dogs trained to alert at recent activity.
 
 
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Above us was a very loud tui, soon it was a yellow-crowned parakeet, all watched by a kākā.
 
 
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A different robin found us as we ate our sandwiches, stood between our feet snagging any crumbs that fell.
 
 
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The track took us across the beach, a cold wind took us quickly back into the shelter of the trees.
 
 
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No sooner than we got going again than this bellbird was clearly offended that we had had the temerity to walk past his favourite perch. He sat and made the same, loud note over and over again. He made no attempt to move, look frightened or stop, we left him and could hear him for ages. We spent some time looking at the trees and ferns, following the nature trail.
 
 
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We popped out once more, this time on Boulder Beach. Looking left we were treated to sand sculptures.
 
 
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Amazing.
 
 
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One of our new friends came with us.
 
 
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We found the hut, so did our friend and we read the information boards.
 
 
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Time to end our bimble with some wonderful wood.
 
 
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We just had time to climb the observation tower to see the view. This tower was once a flag mast telling the islanders post was in.
 
 
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Stewart Island's first Post Office and store opened on Ulva Island in Paterson Inlet in 1867. It was a logical site. There were no roads and a scattered population. When the monthly mail-boat arrived, the flag was hoisted. Settlers would climb in their boats and row or sail out to collect their mail and stores. It became a social activity. These visitors were photographed outside the building, probably around 1910. The Post Office closed at the end of January 1923.
 
Leaf Mail

 

During the postcard mania of the early 20th century it became common for visitors to Paterson Inlet Post Office on Stewart Island to send leaf postcards such as this one, which was mailed, correctly stamped, to a correspondent

in Nelson. The Post Office frequently announced that such mailings were prohibited, but they appear to have persisted for years. What a wonderful story to end our visit here. Our five hour visit flew by and all too soon Ian had arrived and off we went. Back on the other side, we waited for Ian to buoy up his taxi, row ashore and kindly give us a lift back to our digs where supper was a help-yourself buffet and very good it was, complete with ice-cream machine with all kinds of toppings. Electric blanket on we snuggled after a drink in the bar. What wonderful memories.

 

 

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ALL IN ALL MAROONED WITH NEW FRIENDS
                    BEAUTIFULLY SET UP TO VISIT