Sunday, 31 July 2016

Matiu/Somes Island

Ross and I went out to Matiu/Somes Island this weekend (www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/wellington-kapiti/places/matiu-somes-island/).  It is the largest of three islands in Wellington Harbor and is only a 20-minute ferry ride from the waterfront (eastbywest.co.nz).   Historically used as a human quarantine station, an internment camp, military defense position, and an animal quarantine station, it is currently a predator-free scientific and historic reserve.  It is also the location of New Zealand's first inner harbor light house, which began operation in 1866.  The name is a combination of the original Maori name and the European name to reflect the bicultural history of the island.

Matiu/Somes Lighthouse with Wellington in the background
Northern Wharf
Former quarantine buildings
Lawn mowers (aka sheep)
Rats and other pests were eradicated from the island in the late 1980s.  Since that time, Matiu/Somes Island has become a sanctuary for native plants, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates.  Ross and I were both most interested to see wetas, as the only ones that we have seen in the Wellington area have been squished.  The Cook Strait Giant Weta and the Wellington Tree Weta were both reintroduced to the island in the late 1990s.  Along the foot paths, there are "Weta Hotels" that the Department of Conservation (DOC) has made for the wetas.  You can lift the lid off of a box and peak inside to see if there are any wetas or geckos.  We were lucky enough to see both types of wetas.

Cook Strait Giant Weta - they get a lot bigger than this
Hiding in a "Weta Hotel"
There are also a number of birds that have been reintroduced to the island or use it as breeding/nesting grounds.  We saw  Red-Crowned Parakeets, Fantails, North Island Robins, seagulls, and Common Chaffinch (probably introduced from Europe).  We didn't see any Little Blue Penguins but we did see some of the nesting boxes that the DOC has made for them on the island.

Common Chaffinch
Eight species of reptiles that are only found in New Zealand occur on the island; four skinks, three geckos, and one tuatara.  Tuatara are the only surviving member of an order that has existed since the dinosaurs (www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/reptiles-and-frogs/tuatara/).  They are only found in New Zealand and now only exist on 32 offshore islands that are predator-free.  The original Tuatara population on Matiu/Somes island was wiped out in the mid-1800s but 50 Tuataras were successfully reintroduced in the late 1990s.  Sightings of Tuatara are exceedingly rare and we were no exception.

Skink
There are a number of walking paths around the island and you can also camp.  We spent a very pleasant day wandering around the island but we want to go back and camp once our camping gear arrives from the States (hopefully later this week!).



Enjoying the sunshine!

Looking toward Wellington
Sailboats

WWII gun emplacement
Ross and I have a bunch of events/activities planned for August so more adventures to come soon!

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