News

Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Did you catch this great interview with Kennedy Warne on Radio New Zealand? It’s the the annual Garden Bird Survey this week, where the public is invited to count birds in their backyard or local park or reserve for an hour any time between now and Sunday and report the results to Manaaki Whenua – … Read more

Bird numbers up in garden survey

The Gisborne Herald interviewed Dr Angela Brandt, Manaaki Whenua researcher and ecologist, following the release of the 2021 New Zealand Garden Bird Survey report. Results from a national bird survey show a positive trend for native birds like kererū, unlike introduced species such as starlings, which have shown a decline over the years. “What’s exciting … Read more

Otago Daily Times reports Dunedin city most responsive to bird survey

Dunedin and Otago people have traditionally topped the pecking order as the country’s most enthusiastic participants in this Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research-led survey, now in its 15th year. And last year’s Covid-19 lockdown, and more time spent at home watching the birds, may have been an unexpectedly powerful factor in the big survey response, … Read more

Popularity of wild bird feeding goes sky high

COVID-19 has resulted in many people around the world now placing greater value on the wellbeing effects of time spent in nature. In New Zealand this has been apparent in the noticeable increase in purchases of wild bird feed and feeders – a trend Oamaru-based pet feed brand Topflite puts down to a general change … Read more

NZ Garden Bird Survey on OneNews

TVNZ’s OneNews shares how we can get involved with the NZ Garden Bird Survey, the results from the 2019 report and interviews Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research ecologists. Bird-watchers asked to keep an eagle eye out this week as part of annual survey New Zealanders are being called to help count our bird population as … Read more