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Description
Blumine Island - Oruawairua is a pest-free bird sanctuary, where several threated bird species of the South Island have been transloacted. Of the few places where you can find the Orange-fronted Parakeet (Kakariki), here they are probably the easiest to find (often by the toilets at the landing side). During your visit, you will be greeted by the curious Weka at the beach from where you can follow a walking track along the coast, though mostly through the forest to historic WWII gun emplacements. This gives you a chance to find the other rarities, Tīeke (South Island Saddleback) and the Mohua (Yellowhead) besides the usual forest dwellers.
If you opt to stay overnight, there is a chance to encounter the translocated Rowi (Okarito Brown Kiwi). There is also a King Shag roost at the Southern end, maybe the easiest place to see this cormorant species up close as they only live in the Marlborough sounds. On your trip to the island you will probably see other shags, gulls, Australasian Gannet and Fluttering Shearwater.
Details
Access
Blumine Island can only be reached by boat, with single day tours departing from Picton. If you plan to stay overnight at the DoC campsite, make prior arrangements with your tour operator and DoC. There are no shops or amenities available on the island, except for a toilet and a picknick bench. The island offers walking tracks for exploration on foot, but the King Shag roost on the Southern end is in general too far, so arrange a stop there with your operator beforehand.