The Great Kererū Count is on!

Eyes to the skies Christchurch – we’re going on a bird hunt!

Friday marks day one of the Great Kererū Count – the largest national citizen science project to help gather information on the abundance and distribution of the New Zealand native pigeon. 

A Kereru perched on a tree in central Christchurch. Tomorrow marks the start of the Great Kereru Count around New Zealand.

The Great Kererū Count aims to build up a comprehensive picture of where our native pigeon is – and isn’t – found. Known as the ‘gardeners of the skies’, the Kererū play a crucial role in dispersing seeds from the largest fruit of our native trees such as kahikatea, coprosma and matai – making the birds essential for forest regeneration.

Christchurch City Council Ranger Andrew Crossland said prior to the Port Hills fires, Kererū numbers had reached around 100 on the Port Hills, though that had dropped as a result of the fires.

“Over the last 10 years or so (pre-fire), Kererū numbers had built up from about 30 birds to 100 birds, partly we believe as a result of predator control, partly due to removal of competing pest animals like possums so that habitat condition and food availability has improved, and partly through just a general increase as the extent of suitable habitat increases as years pass and trees grow.

“Lots of Kererū would have moved out of the path of recent fires, but unfortunately an unknown number died and a few of these were discovered by fire crews in the aftermath of the fire.”

Mr Crossland said colleagues had reported that the autumn/winter/spring distribution of Kererū had changed since the fire, with birds ranging over a wider area this season searching for feeding habitat.

Great Kererū Count Coordinator Tony Stoddard is encouraging everyone to take part by counting the Kererū in backyards, schools, parks or reserves.

“Kererū are distinctive looking birds – with their large size and bright white singlets, surrounded by green and purple plumage makes them easy to spot perched in treetops or on power lines. Whether you have seen any Kererū or not, sharing your observations with us will help build up a clearer picture of where the birds live, how many there are and what they eat.

“To make Kererū counts, people can use a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone – whatever works best for the observer.”

This year there are three options to make Kererū observations – via www.greatkererucount.nz, www.naturewatch.org.nz or with the iNaturalist App available on iTunes and Google Play.