Dawne Morton, of Bird Rescue Whanganui Manawatu, says they see about 800 birds a year come through the rescue. Photo / NZME
Dawne Morton, of Bird Rescue Whanganui Manawatu, says they see about 800 birds a year come through the rescue. Photo / NZME
A regional bird rescue group is gearing up for another busy season as spring arrives and we head into summer.
Dawne Morton, of Bird Rescue Whanganui Manawatu, said things were really starting to pick up as the temperature rises.
"At this time of year with the weather being warmer, there are more insects around so the fantails and grey warblers are all nesting. It relates to food supply and warmth.
"It is more non-natives this time of year. Around Christmas time we will be flat out with baby kereru and hatching a few eggs. We never quite know when we get a call what we are getting, it does make life interesting."
Bird Rescue Whanganui Manawatu gets about 800 birds a year come through its doors.
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It covers a large portion of the Central region, with birds coming from Taranaki, Whanganui, Ruapehu, Palmerston North and Kapiti areas.
It looks after mainly non-natives, with natives and endemic species going through to Massey University's Wildbase.
An interesting development Morton has noticed since Covid-19 has been in New Zealand is with more people at home or working from home, people are looking to take care of injured birds they have found.
"Whether that is a bird that has hit a window or a cat has brought one into the house and people want to save them, which is really nice. People are trying to be more environmentally aware."
She gave some tips for those who have found an injured bird and wish to help nurse it to full health.
Bird Rescue Whanganui Manawatu expects to see more ducklings as the weather gets warmer. Photo / Supplied
"It is basically first aid. Grab them and put them in a cardboard box so they are safe. From then, I would recommend ringing me and having a quick assessment. Have a look at how badly injured it is and go from there."
People may think they are doing the right things, but Morton said a quick call to her can clear up any potential missteps.
"It is really good if people want to raise non-natives on their own, just ring first and see what the diet is. Birds have a hole in their tongue and that is their windpipe.
"If you put water into a bird's mouth, you can drown them. It goes straight into their lungs. They get all the water they need out of their meat, so people drown birds all the time.
"I want the Facebook page to be educational and helpful."
Bird Rescue has begun selling window decals on its website that help reflect ultraviolet light so birds can see the window and avoid flying into them.
"Prevention is a huge thing for us. Last year, we had 56 kererū come through that had hit windows. That is a lot of kererū to lose."
Kererū, hawks, moreporks and tui are all among the most common birds to come through the rescue.
"For us, it is a huge thing to try to prevent them into doing that."
She said it has been a bit difficult over the past few months as veterinary, zoology and ecology students from Massey University would usually help out on the weekends, but aren't allowed to return until the country is at Covid-19 alert level 1.
"Massey won't allow any of the students to come here in level 2, so they aren't allowed to come.
"They are really amazing. They are really nice teenagers who know how to work and are really lovely to have around."
The Cheep Shop, a second-hand shop that raises money for Bird Rescue, is set to reopen in November.
Anyone with any questions about birds, visit Bird Rescue Whanganui Manawatu on Facebook to get in contact with Dawne Morton.
