The 2017 Great Kererū Count (GKC) closed on 1st October and early results are in.
The GKC team asked needs New Zealanders across the county to keep their eyes on the skies to help build up a comprehensive picture of where our native pigeon is – and isn’t – found. www.greatkererucount.nz
As of now, across New Zealand, there have been 6034 observations and 13,600 kererū counted. Final national numbers are still being analysed.
We’re thrilled that so many people from across the country joined the Count this year with observations coming in from across New Zealand from the far north to the deep south.
Most 2017 kererū sightings were recorded in Wellington, Auckland, Nelson/Tasman and Dunedin. A new kererū hotspot this year was Dunedin. Good numbers came in from Waiheke Island, Whangarei, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, West Coast and Christchurch. There were observations from areas including Bluff, Codfish Island, Stewart Island, Te Anau in Fiordland and Maungataniwha Forest in Northland. One of the furthest north observations was made in Kaitaia in the Far North.
As part of GKC 2017, Landcare Research is hosting a national Kererū Photographic Competition closing 22 October. Great prizes include a kererū shelf from Ian Blackwell, Topflite seed bells, a nectar feeder and predator control tools. Entries are welcome via the Kereru Discovery Facebook page, and on Instagram and Twitter (#GKCPhotoComp).
The GKC is a partnership between WWF-New Zealand, Kereru Discovery, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington City Council, and NatureWatch NZ and supported by regional councils and environmental groups throughout New Zealand.