A Year in Bird Counting
Published December 2021
Words by Michelle Spooner
As the last of the quarterly bird counts are completed for 2021, Fran Ashton, Mahurangi West Pest’s Lead Bird Counter says it’s been great fun.
Fran has been a part of Mahurangi West Pest for the past two years and says her interest within the group has been around the bird life.
“The monitoring of birds is one way for us to know how effectively trapping is working in the area,” says Fran.
“It’s a long-term investment – but it shows us which birds are benefiting [from the pest control] the most and which we need to put more focus into.”
Fran Ashton (above left) and bird watching at Takatu with fellow volunteers.
The counting
Fran says it will be 3-4 years from now before they will start to have enough counting data to really understand the impact of trapping on birdlife in Mahurangi West – and hopefully see a lot more native birds.
The counting so far has been based in Jamieson and Opahi Bays and the Bullock track – where four times a year they get out and count what they see and hear, for what takes about 15-20 minutes all up.
“Our monitoring is based on the DOC five-minute bird count form which is a recognised standard for bird monitoring where pest control is taking place in the same area,” says Fran.
Once completed, Fran compiles the forms and enters the information onto the e-Birds website where the information is shared both in New Zealand and internationally.
This year’s learning
This first year has been a good learning curve with the support of Jared Anderson, local park ranger, as well as others says Fran.
“Sometimes you hear four different birds and distinguishing which is which has become a little easier each quarter,” she says.
More and more locals are becoming interested which is good to see. Some of the exciting discoveries this year have been kākā, shining cuckoo, and a juvenile starling (identified with the support of Auckland Council’s Senior Ornithologist).
If you’re interested in becoming a bird counter with Mahurangi West Pest, get in touch with Fran at: ashton.sager@gmail.com
