‘I thought I was imagining things’: New Zealand readers on close encounters with city birds

Urban forests are attracting native birds again to New Zealand’s cities, serving to residents foster a deeper connection with their feathery associates, and develop a higher curiosity of their safety.

New analysis printed within the Journal of Animal Ecology discovered that restoring native forest in cities does certainly carry again native birds, whereas a Wellington council report in April 2021 discovered that Zealandia – a 225 hectare city eco-sanctuary 10 minutes from the city centre – was “having a measurable ‘halo’ effect on native forest bird communities throughout the city”.

But Wellington isn’t the one city centre to note a lift in birds – New Zealand’s Guardian readers shared their observations* from throughout the nation.

Here are a few of our favourites:

“Here in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the bird life has increased enormously due to the residential red zone. Over 1,500 acres of land here has got on with the business of pretty much re-wilding itself in the decade since the earthquakes. We are also fortunate to have Hagley Park, a 400 acre park in the centre of the city.

There has definitely been an increase in pīwakawaka. I have also noticed more kārearea (our native falcon), tauhou (waxeyes) and kererū. The cheeky chittering pīwakawaka is one of my favourites. They are fearless of humans and dogs, flitting in and out wherever insects are disturbed for them to catch. Walking in the red zone they will follow us, mostly in pairs.

I try to make safe feeding spaces and use cat deterrents such as lemon peel. With building intensification in the suburbs of our city, I have observed many more cats around. Recently we were away for a week, since then the bird life in our back yard has gone. According to some friends, cats can take over when no people are around and the birds are all frightened off.”
Gina Payne, Ōtautahi / Christchurch

“I definitely feel there have been more birdies around in the past few years, which considering I live smack dab in the city I thought I was imagining things. My partner has sat bolt upright in the early hours of the morning swearing he’s hearing a grey warbler when we would NEVER get these guys around here. Now it’s happening so frequently its a bit of a non event, which is saying a lot!

It’s no longer remarkable to have up close encounters with formerly rare birds, which makes it harder to tell if things are improving or plateauing somewhat.

We think about bird life when considering planting new trees. There’s growing appreciation of the risks of feeding wild birds the wrong thing or even too much of the right thing, so providing them with a good mix of native plants seems the best way.”
Pochi Velasquez, Ōtautahi / Christchurch

“[There has been] a phenomenal increase in native birds since the arrival of Zealandia. Kākā stomping round the deck rail, not even leaving when we go on to the deck; kākā sitting on the rim of the outdoor spa pool eyeing up my soaking husband’s pomegranate juice glass (good for his prostate) and eventually tipping down to insert its beak into the juice. Twice. And then he drank it – my husband, that is.

Rat trapping is active in Wellington, with local coordination and reporting by volunteers. Many many people volunteer for Zealandia in their spare time – it’s hard to get volunteers for other charitable activities!”
Frances Blyth, Pōneke / Wellington

“We live in a village in Rangitikei and our garden is full of birds – tūī, kererū, pīwakawaka, bellbirds, and the occasional kingfisher [kōtare]. We often get kāhu drifting overhead.

In mid-summer we have a lot of old plum trees that get laden with fruit. The kererū came in groups of three or four, scoffing the fruit from the tops to the bottom. We have a jack russell who gets very excited about the prospects for dinner when a big fat kererū lands on an impossibly small twig just above her reach, fills up on fruit, gets pissed and flops off to another crash-landing among some more fruit-laden branches.”
Andy Maciver, Turakina, Rangitikei

“I live on Waiheke Island, 35 mins from Auckland city by ferry. It has a high population density, with the population increasing year on year, putting greater strain on the natural environment. However, forest regeneration and pest eradication has a high level of local support. For this reason bird life … has increased dramatically over the past years. Te Korowai o Waiheke is a scheme to make Waiheke the world’s first predator-free urban island. The first phase included ridding the island of European introduced mustelids, with the second phase being various rat eradication trails currently taking place. The removal of cats (both domestic and feral) from the island remains unspoken, but this too would need to take place to be truly predator free …

We have been privileged to have a pāteke regularly visit our garden. This native duck numbers less than 2,500, and is indeed rarer than a kiwi. Captive breeding has helped numbers increase, but as this guy is untagged, it means he is wild born and has relocated himself to the island. Another wonderful sign that predator control is working. He has an incredible character, extremely territorial – despite being half the size he’ll run full speed across the garden to chase off any contender.”
Anonymous, Waiheke Island, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland

“The Orokonui eco-sanctuary near Dunedin has proved a haven for birds looking for a predator safe breeding area for the birds to expand across the city. I regularly see and hear bell birds, tūī [and] kererū.

Just at the top of my steps, the tops of my tree lucerne are at eye level, and it’s not unusual to have a couple of kererū contentedly feeding less than a metre to my front. I’ll often look up and see passersby also enjoying the sight.”
Larry White, Wakari, Ōtepoti / Dunedin

*Edited for size and readability.

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