It's the great kererū hunt - have you seen them in your neighbourhood?
Hawke's Bay residents are being asked to keep an eye out for any kererū swooping across their backyards as the Great Kererū Count takes flight across the country.
This year the count will run from September 22 to October 1. A partnership between WWF-New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington City Council, and NatureWatch NZ, the project helps build up where the native pigeon can, and can't, be found.
In the 2014-16 Great Kererū Count there were 857 kererū counted in Hawke's Bay.
WWF-New Zealand's chief executive Livia Esterhazy said the count was vital not just for protecting the kererū, but for ensuring the health of forest ecosystems into the future.
"Large flocks of more than 100 kererū were once a common sight in skies over New Zealand – our ambition is to see them prolific again," she said.
Kererū were known as "gardeners of the skies", because they played a crucial role in dispersing seeds of native canopy trees such as tawa, taraire, and matai.
They were the only birds who did so, making them an essential part of forest regeneration.
Senior lecturer in ecology at Victoria University, Dr Stephen Hartley, said the project helped build up a detailed picture of where kererū were distributed across the country, what they were feeding on and where they were found in towns and cities.
"Over time, we hope to discover whether numbers are increasing or decreasing and whether populations are faring better or worse in some parts of the country compared to others.
"This year we are especially keen for people to seek out new locations, as well as returning to old haunts to make timed observations of between five and 30 minutes. Even if you don't see a kererū in this time – that's still useful information and important to submit."
This year, there are three options to make kererū observations – via www.greatkererucount.nz... www.naturewatch.org.nz... or with the iNaturalist App available on iTunes and Google Play.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.7% Yes
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14.7% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
Riddle Alert! Who’s Up for Some Brain-Busting Fun?
4-letter word, always done tomorrow,
We’re out of tea, the ultimate sorrow!
Without the eye, you owe me some money,
No sugar no nectar no sweetness no honey,
4-letter word, if by chance you choose,
You can never win, you can only lose!
What is the 4-letter word?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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