We have remained at the Franz Josef NZMCA POP today in order to take a trip out to the Okarito Lagoon. This lagoon covers more than 3240 hectares of shallow open water. It is well known for it’s outstanding avifauna (over 70 species of birds have been identified here) It is a common feeding ground for the Kotuku (white heron). We had intended just to drive out there for a look but took the chance to go on a 1 hour boat tour of the lagoon. According to the boat operator Swade, tsunami researchers had taken core samples and deduced that the lagoon was formed by tsunami action following two large (8+) earthquakes in the 1500’s.
Us and tour Guide Swade Distant View of Mt Cook
The boat winds it’s way across the lagoon following stick markers to mark the channel which is about 3 metres deep anything outside of that and you could be walking at low tide. Numerous varieties of shag are in abundance as we cruised across.
Pied Shag out on a Limb
Our guide then took us slowly up the Okarito River where to his and our surprise we spotted no less than 6 or 7 White Heron, something even he didn’t expect as it was not low water when they emerge to feed. His reasoning was that they were attracted by spawning whitebait in the river.
Carrying on a bit further up the river we spotted more wildlife and nosed into the bank to look at a Rata Vine clinging to a Southern Rata tree.
Back past yet more Heron and Shags before arriving back at the historic wharf.
A well deserved cup of coffee at the tour office before we wandered around the little (pop. 35) village of Okarito. A nice spot today but is probably horrendous on a stormy day.
Down pas historic Donovans store (no photo it was covered in scaffold) and the old sch0olhouse. We were impressed by the stone construction of a locals fence.
Another great place to visit and the sign on the office wall said it all.
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