Counting the birds in your back garden

Silvereye

It’s that time of the year again when thousands of Kiwis head into their garden to count  the birds they see and hear as part of the New Zealand Garden Bird survey, which started on Saturday.

Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research (MWLR) social science researcher Dr Grandon Diprose said, while he sympathised with the weather causing havoc in Tairāwhiti, the survey could be a way to take locals’ minds off the rain.

“There’s a lot of bad news about the environment, biodiversity and climate change. However, participating in such a survey could help people improve their immediate wellbeing, while taking action to monitor bird trends with thousands of other people.”

Dr Diprose said many New Zealanders in previous survey feedbacks had reported a greater sense of wellbeing after spending time in the garden.

“We had people saying it was a good opportunity to slow down,”  he said. “Participants talked about feeling curiosity, joy, fun, wonder and a sense of connection.”

The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey had become a much-loved pastime for families around the country, he said.

MWLR ecologist Angela Brandt said Gisborne’s participation in the survey would help scientists understand the health of bird populations in their gardens and hence the wider environment.

“There has been research done overseas on how climate change and certain extreme aspects are affecting bird populations but we don’t have any specific research in New Zealand due to unavailability of long-term data.

“What’s probably important is how these events affect the factors that play the biggest role in driving bird populations — how their habitat and food resources are affected, as well as predator populations.”

She said it was certainly a question to think about, especially with the recurring heavy rainfall events in such close succession.

This year the survey runs from June 24–July 2.

Visit https://gardenbirdsurvey.nz/identification/ for more information.