This years bird call-counts at Waikawau Bay have turned up a few surprises.
We’ve just finished our annual five minute bird call counts in the Waikawau Bay Wetland project. The results show that numbers of both native and exotic birds have increased exponentially since Moehau Environment Group began predator control in the area in 2005. Over 500 birds were seen and heard in the estuary during the survey this year. This is also the first year that Pateke have been counted as part of the survey, as a flock of around 60 birds was found feeding in the estuary at low tide. The highest ever count of fernbirds was another highlight. Just shows how a little bit of predator control can make a big difference to local bird populations!