2026 Bird Count for the Aotearoa Garden Bird Survey.

In early July, 10 keen bird spotters spent a pleasant hour, mainly in the sun, looking out for birds in the 20th year of this wonderful citizen science project. We spotted from 3 sites within the ngahere and, for the first time this year, also from a couple of open sites (near the bush edge between the main Info Board and the Marae entrance, and near one of the Tiny Houses). Pare and a group of marae volunteers took great interest in the survey and it was lovely to see and hear the construction going on there (not the wharenui yet!).

What did we see and hear? A healthy 93 sightings over the sites, with 15 species recorded. A whopping 40 sightings in an hour from Te Ahi Kaa at the horse paddock edge. The most numerous species in order were starling (20 sightings), toutou (waxeye), black-backed gull, piwakawaka (fantail), blackbird and Tui (7 sightings). We recorded pukeko for the first time, one kaka and one riroriro (grey warbler). No kereru recorded this year but we know they are becoming quite frequent.

Overall, there were slightly more native than introduced species sightings, even with starling (introduced) being the most common. But clearly there were more birds and more native birds within the 3 within-ngahere sites than at the edges. So we can confidently say that as the ngahere regenerates, the native birds are coming back too. A very satisfying morning of watching and counting!

2026 bird count for the Aotearoa Garden Bird Survey - Our youngest and cutest spotter!