Day 9: Nugget Point and Papatowai

Along route 1 south to Papatowai we stopped at Nugget Point to walk to the lighthouse. Here is where warm ocean currents meet cold ocean currents providing a rich area for marine life. There were several sea lions basking on the rocks or swimming in the pools or just playing around with each other. Along the path to the lighthouse a lot of thistle was growing. Butterflies and bees were fluttering from flower to flower. Gulls and terns were flying over head calling to each other. The sea stacks, wave-cut terraces, the uplifted strata and a sea arch, made this a wonderful place to view. As the swells continued to pound the coastline, the water took on a teal green color. I'm always amazed at God's creation. How could you not!After a bite to eat at Kata Point we headed to Cailins Wildlife Trackers. Along road 92 we saw tons of foxgloves in bloom and a variety of harriers cruised passed the vans. Caitlins Wildlife Trackers is run by the Sutherlands. Fergus has been in the bush country since he was 10 years old. In front of his house is a small rainforest before you head out to the ocean. From the livingroom picture window you can see the inlet where the ocean surges in. I could spend forever just looking at that view.Fergus gave us information on what Papatowai means. "Papa" means earth and "towai" is the name of a tall tree. He lead us on a walk around the area. We saw the Rata tree, which is part of the Myrtle family, and nested in it was the bellbird.

There were a variety of ephiphytes on the trees and several orchids in bloom. Saw and heard the tui. It's call is like a 'beep beep' but in different tones.

We continued through Shank's Bush. This is a private reserve that came about when 5 villagers bought the 5 acres of land when a farmer sold it. Along the trail there are 5 main areas. The first area is referred to as the replanting area. This area was cleared in the 1940s and the conservationist started replanting it in 1999. The native braken ferns were the first to come back and bigger trees are being planted to help regrow the forest that was once there prior to the 1940s. The second area is the Manuka. This tree is also succeeding where the braken is and eventually they will be crowded out by bigger trees. The third area is the Shurbland. These shurbs have small leaves with twiggy stems. There are two theories for the formation of these shrubs. The moa theory (to discourage the moa from eating them) and the climate theory (changes in climate caused their adpatations). The fourth area is the estuary. You can spot stilts, spu wing plovers, gulls, terns, heorns, shags, and kingfishers wading and diving in the area. There is even the parasitic plant mistletoe in the area. The last areas is the Kahikatea forest. Here is one of New Zealand's bigest native pines, the Kahikatea. They like to grow in wet, fertile areas.
Many sights were seend along the trail: a thrust nest, liverworts, black mushrooms, Matopo, old man's lichen staghorn lichen, orange lichen, climbing ferns, Rimu, Fuscia trees, 3 varieties of tree ferns. Not to mention hearing the varieties of birds calling from high up in the trees. A perfect ending to the day.