Date/Time
Date(s) - Sat 27 June - Sun 5 July
All Day
Birds act as backyard barometers – telling us about the health of the environment we live in. They are signalling significant changes in our environment over the last 10 years. We should be listening.
Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao, has proudly led this biodiversity study of urban and rural landscapes since 2007.
This survey is the only one of its kind that informs policy makers, scientists, bird enthusiasts and other organisations nationwide who have an interest in the state of our garden birds and their environment.
The survey helps researchers understand how birds are coping with environmental challenges. It also helps build a long-term biodiversity dataset to understand the impact of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity.
Bioeconomy Science Institute scientists monitor changes in bird populations over time by comprehensively analysing bird counts gathered by New Zealanders. These are then distilled into meaningful metrics.
The Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao has distilled a substantial information base – bird counts gathered by New Zealanders from more than 51,000 garden surveys since 2015 – into simple but powerful metrics.
2025 Survey Results
How to take part
Choose an hour on one day during the survey period and find the perfect bird counting spot.
Use the tally sheet to count the number of birds you see or hear.
Use the website identification resources to help you tell birds apart.
Use the form on the website (available from 27 June) to submit your final count.
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