Nationwide kereru count will benefit forests

Bay residents are keeping a tally on the endemic kereru pigeon.

The Great Kereru Count (GKC) is about to take flight and Hawke's Bay residents are being urged to take part.

New Zealanders across the country are being asked to keep their eyes on the skies to help build up a comprehensive picture of where the endemic pigeon is - and isn't - found.

The 2017 Count will run from Friday, September 22 to Sunday, October 1. The count is a partnership between WWF-New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington City Council and NatureWatch NZ.

WWF-New Zealand's chief executive officer Livia Esterhazy said given the ecological importance of kereru, Great Kereru Count data was critical not just for protecting this species, but for ensuring the vitality of our forest ecosystems for future generations.

"Large flocks of more than 100 kereru were once a common sight in skies over New Zealand - our ambition is to see them in abundance again," Ms Esterhazy said.

"We're encouraging New Zealanders to take part by counting the kereru in backyards, schools, parks or reserves.

The information collected from this nationwide project will be used by conservationists to better protect kereru and to help save our native forests."

The humble kereru is one of New Zealand's most valuable assets when it comes to our native forests. Kereru are known as the "gardeners of the skies" as they play a crucial role in dispersing seeds of native trees such as tawa, taraire and matai.

No other bird can fulfil this function, making the species essential for forest regeneration.
Ms Esterhazy said kereru were distinctive birds.

"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," she said.

"To make kereru counts, people can use a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone - whatever works best for the observer."

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

An online map showing all sightings and a ticker with the number of birds reported will be updated automatically as the count progresses.
* Join the count at www.greatkererucount.nz