Many Northlanders are lucky enough to be able to hear kiwi calling from their homes and now they have the chance to learn how to tell the difference between the calls of male and female birds.
Kiwi listening stands are popping-up at markets across the Bay of Islands throughout April and May to give aspiring kiwi listeners information about how to contribute to kiwi preservation efforts, including learning the difference between male and female kiwi calls.
Kiwi call counts will be happening in June and July and, in the lead-up to this, local community conservation groups are on the lookout for potential kiwi listeners.
The annual kiwi call count helps estimate the kiwi population in an area and provide baseline data to the Department of Conservation. When calls are monitored in the same place over several years, it helps build a picture of what is happening with kiwi numbers and distribution.
Five community conservation groups will be having stalls in markets across the area. At their stalls, Bay Bush Action, Russell Landcare Trust, Mahinepua/Radar Hill Landcare Trust, Puketotara Landcare Trust and Hupara Landcare Trust will be giving the public the chance to find out what a kiwi looks and sounds like.
