Southland, New Zealand, offers a diverse range of birdwatching opportunities, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Some of the highlights in this region include Nugget Point, home to the little yellow-eyed penguin and sooty shearwater. Ulva Island, just off the coast of Stewart Island, is a birdwatcher's haven with unique species like weka, kākā, and the Stewart Island robin. Southland's offshore waters teem with seabirds like albatross, blue penguins, gulls, petrels, and sooty shearwaters.
Just ten minutes from Invercargill, a privately-owned protected forest and wetland reserve offer excellent sightings of Fernbirds, along with bellbirds, grey warblers, fantails, and shining cuckoos. Awarua Wetlands encompass Southland's vital bird habitats, including large tidal estuaries and coastal lagoons. Southland provides opportunities to spot the elusive kiwi, houses the largest takahē population in New Zealand, and hosts the only kākāpō breeding program in the country.
The region also boasts a thriving muttonbirding industry and is home to the cheeky kea in Fiordland. With its diverse landscapes and abundant birdlife, Southland, New Zealand, is a must-visit destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.