Maungatautari Ecological Island Reserve

We were able to take another afternoon run this past Thursday. Several people recommended the Maungatautari Reserve near Cambridge, so this being a beautiful fall day, we went.

Before Polynesians and Europeans arrived in Aoteoroa New Zealand there were no snakes, rodents, or mammalian predators on the Islands, which allowed a host of flightless birds, lizards, and plant life to flourish. It didn't take long after the introduction of predators for many of these defenseless species to be endangered or extinct. 

Groups have been working to restore the native plant and animal life by creating predator-free "islands." The folks at Maungatautari are serious about keeping critters out. From carpark we had to go through a set of push-button release double doors plus a very heavy metal door within the enclosure to get to the tracks.

Maungatautari Reserve's Sanctuary Mountain.

Looking at rural Cambridge from the carpark.

At the carpark

Inside the enclosure.

The footpaths in the Southern Enclosure were very well formed and a fantastic running surface. There were steep climbs, though, which left us breathless. We have definitely become flatlanders.

One of the big attractions of the Southern Enclosure is this viewing tower. There is a transition aviary just near the base of the tower from which native birds being released into the sanctuary spend some time acclimating. There weren't any birds in the aviary the day we were there, but we could imagine that being on the top of the tower when birds are released would be a spectacular sight.

From the top of the tower looking down through the canopy.

A few rata flowers are still blooming despite the late fall weather.

We only spotted a few birds from the top (more as we were running),
but the air was alive with different species calling to one another.
The viewing platform on the tower is a really peaceful place to spend some time just listening. 

The koru (spiral) is one of Aoteoroa New Zealand's national symbols.
Ferns of all sizes sprout in this curled shape, and this was an excellent example of a large tree fern frond uncurling.

I didn't take these pictures; they are from the reserve's website, but they highlight some of the native species. Aren't they wonderful?

Pukaka

Tuatara

Kiwi