Helping birds win the battle

Thanks to volunteers, three species - kokako (pictured), whiteheads and robins - can be taken from island sanctuaries in the Hauraki Gulf and liberated in the Waitakere ranges. Photo / Greg Bowker

Too often, humans seem to bring native bird populations nothing but misery.

Years of clearing native forest has removed much of their habitat, while in remnant bush areas introduced predators attack them daily.

But New Zealand's beleaguered native birds have some human friends in Auckland including about 600 "Ark In the Park" volunteers.

Under this scheme, volunteers put in 9000 hours a year to boost conservation in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

Since Ark in the Park began 12 years ago, volunteers have reduced pests populations in 2100ha of bush, destroying wasp nests, laying bait lines for possums and trapping rats and stoats. They maintain tracks and educate park users, for example, on disinfecting footwear to reduce spread of kauri die-back disease.

The partnership between Forest and Bird and Auckland Council has created habitat suitable for rare and endangered birds to be released into areas where pests had previously wiped them out.

Thanks to volunteers, three species - kokako, whiteheads and robins - can be taken from island sanctuaries in the Hauraki Gulf and liberated in the Waitakeres.

The Ark in the Park volunteers are co-ordinated and trained by several fulltime Forest and Bird staff.

"It's positive work, because the volunteers feel like they are really making a difference," says Ark in the Park project manager Gillian Wadams. "They enjoy the outdoors, learning about conservation and liaising with park users, such as trampers. There's a fair bit of camaraderie, with a barbecue put on for them at the conclusion of their hours out working in the bush."

Volunteers work on Thursdays, the first three Saturdays and the last Sunday of the month.

For more information email nature.project@forestandbird.org.nz