Recently we had the chance to visit the Maungatautari Ecological Island, a mountain in the Waikato that has 47km of fencing to keep predators out. Our visit was quite short but we saw enough to know we’ll be back. Much like Zealandia the predator eradication and fencing has allowed a sanctuary for native wildlife to be created, the main difference being Maungatautari is much larger in scope and has much more mature vegetation. With Bridget, Dean and Adam we visited the Southern Enclosure and spent an hour or so walking to the canopy tower and back.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
The forest here was mature with soaring trees and a dense understory. It was a warm day but we spent most of the walk under the cool shade of the forest, only poking out when we climbed the tall tower. Nearby was a clearing with some bird feeders and here we got to watch Kaka climbing the surrounding trees and also disturbed the visit of a raged looking tomtit.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Walking back there were more birds, a bellbird I spotted feeding on pink berries, later on a grey warbler looking for bugs underneath leaves on a tree by the trackside and right at the end another tomtit arrived to watch us leave. Adam had fun being swung around between Keryn and myself as we walked and then raced around exploring the stream we crossed on a sturdy bridge.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
It may have been a short visit but I saw more than enough to want to visit again, maybe next time to traverse the mountain on a much longer hike.
