Getting rid of pests and weeds is just the stepping stone to our real goal - increasing native biodiversity! But how do we know if we’re making a difference? This is where reporting on biodiversity becomes important.
5 minutes bird counts
The five minute bird count (5MBC) measures the species present in a specific location which can then be used to infer density or abundance. These counts have to be repeated consistantly over a long period of time to be able to accurately reveal changes in popuation dynamics.
eBird
Doing consistent research grade 5MBCs is fairly unrealistic, but you can do an alternative which still collects valuable data about our bird population here in Tāmaki Makaurau. The platform eBird and its app allow you to do your own bird counts by creating checklists of birds you observe which then contribute to data driven science and conservation. It’s easy to use and also collaborates with Merlin ID, an app that helps you identify birds by their call. So even if you aren’t a birding expert, you can still contribute to citizen science and report valuable sightings of rarer species such as kākā in Auckland.