Nature and conservation
The tall forest trees around Halfmoon Bay are mainly kāmahi and rimu. Rimu, miro and tōtara provided timber for the early settlers. Kāmahi is the most common tree,
Nature and conservation
The tall forest trees around Halfmoon Bay are mainly kāmahi and rimu. Rimu, miro and tōtara provided timber for the early settlers. Kāmahi is the most common tree, with its spreading trunk blotched a whitish colour, and its leaves toothed and slightly waved. Rata is also widespread and in summer it is readily identified by its bright red flowers.
Mollymawk off the Stewart Island coast
The forest understorey is composed of lancewood, coprosmas, tree ferns and broadleaf. Fuchsia is common around Halfmoon Bay and is one of New Zealand's few deciduous trees. It has pale, loose, papery bark and handsome, pendulous purple flowers. The nectar is a favourite food for tūī and bellbirds, and pigeons feed on the purple fleshy berry, known as konini.
Ferns are an attractive and prominent feature of the forest. Many varieties can be found growing on the ground or hanging from trees.
Kiwi. More common than people!
For visitors arriving by boat their introduction to Stewart Island's birdlife is often the sight of sooty shearwaters, gulls, Buller's mollymawks, cape pigeons and little penguins.
Not far from Halfmoon Bay it is easy to see bellbirds, tūī and parakeets. Most island residents boast having these birds, as well as fantails and pigeons in their gardens. Summer evenings resound with the liquid melody of kākā high in the trees or calling across the waters of Paterson Inlet.
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