Bird celebration in Whakatane

The BirdsaPlenty Festival in Whakatane, from tomorrow to October 17, aims to promote excellent bird-watching opportunities provided by the region's diverse population of sea birds, shore birds, marshland and forest birds.

The festival also offers related art, photography and craft exhibitions, educational talks and field trips.

These include an overnight "dawn chorus" excursion into virgin bush, the blue duck and kiwi recovery programmes, birding for beginners and gardening to encourage native birds.

Contact: (07) 308 6726