New Zealand’s backyard birds have had their census and results for Otago are in: pīwakawaka (fantails) are moderately increasing and others increasing at a shallow rate are tūi, blackbird, song thrush and greenfinch.

There has been little or no change for the house sparrow, dunnock, goldfinch and bellbird.

Starlings are in shallow decline and kererū, chaffinch, and silvereye are all in moderate decline.

Fantails have increased by 41 per cent during the past five years, and the wood pigeon has dropped by 21 per cent over this time.

The State of New Zealand Garden Birds (Te āhua o ngā manu o te kār i iAotearoa 2022),  report released by Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, shows the latest results from long-running citizen science project – the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey.

The national report can be downloaded and the Otago region report is also online.

Otago region bird counts from the report

Since 2021, survey participants have been asked what more needs to be done to care for birds in New Zealand.

This year there was an overwhelming response for more to be done to manage weeds and predators.

Manaaki Whenua social researcher Dr Gradon Diprose said participants suggested a wide range of everyday actions people can take to reduce the impacts of weeds and predators on birds. 

“Not all participants agree on what should be done, but the responses highlight how many New Zealanders care both about birds, and the wider environment.”

This year’s survey runs from June 24 –  July 2. There is bird identification information on the NZ Garden Bird Survey website, so Central’s birdwatchers have time to familiarise themselves with the manu that visit their gardens.

Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research has led this biodiversity study, a backyard barometer for the nation's garden birds, since 2007.

Results inform policy makers, scientists, bird enthusiasts and other organisations nationwide who have an interest in the state of our garden birds and their environment.

To date, over 44,000 surveys of gardens and parks have been undertaken by individuals, schools, and community groups.