Birdwatchers of a feather flock together

2 June 2016
Budding birdwatchers now have the chance to identify native species at Pukeiti and their own home.

KereruPukeiti is holdings its annual bird survey this Sunday (5 June) from 10am to 3pm and facilitator Nathan Hills will teach participants to identify different types.

Taranaki Regional Council Garden Manager – Pukeiti, Andrew Brooker, says they aim to build data on bird populations at Pukeiti and also help Landcare Research with a garden bird survey that establishes a nationwide picture.

The Pukeiti survey is being held a few weeks before the New Zealand survey, so participants – “kids of all ages from zero to 100” – will know how to monitor birds from their backyards when the countrywide event starts, says Mr Brooker.

They will also learn what plants could attract feathered friends into their home garden, and which will provide food for them during the cooler months.

Mr Brooker says there is a thriving native population at Pukeiti including tui, bellbirds, fantails, morepork owls and kereru, as well as endemic species that have made New Zealand home, such as waxeyes, chaffinches and blackbirds. The New Zealand falcon that was released at Pukeiti a couple of weeks ago has also been seen.

The healthy numbers are due in part to ongoing pest control. The garden is tucked inside the 334 hectare Pukeiti Rainforest, which is a Key Native Ecosystem meaning the Council views it as containing important native flora and fauna, and protects it against predator species.

This will be the second such survey at Pukeiti. Mr Brooker says staff will be able to start looking at trends when they have roughly five years of data.

To take part, meet at the Pukeiti gatehouse at 10am, and bring binoculars if you can.

Facts about New Zealand’s three favourite garden birds, as published on Landcare Research’s website:

- Did you know that male tui are 40% bigger than female tui?

- A fantail weighs just 8 grams, or less than half a chocolate fish! What the fantail lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in character.

- Silvereyes, which made their own way to New Zealand from Australia about 150 years ago, are the most common native bird in New Zealand’s gardens.

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