Where are the birds? Garden Bird Survey 2025

Each winter, thousands of people across Aotearoa New Zealand take part in one of the simplest ways to get involved in real-world science: one hour, one spot, one count of the birds you see.

Winter is a great time to spot kererū, especially in quieter spaces like school grounds or reserves. Their whooshing wingbeats and fondness for fruiting trees make them easy to pick out during the Garden Bird Survey. Source: Adobe Stock

The Garden Bird Survey runs during the school holidays from 28 June to 6 July, and it’s one of the easiest ways to get students involved in something real. No equipment needed—just eyes, ears, and maybe a pencil. It’s a reminder that science isn’t only about labs, kits or textbooks; it’s about paying attention to the world we’re part of.

Greening our urban spaces with native plants could increase the availability of the fruits and seeds our taonga species are used to. Image source: Tauranga City. Adobe Stock

Great Bird Count Spots in the Bay

You can’t beat Pāpāmoa Hills—tūī and pīwakawaka darting through mānuka, big skies, and epic views. Aongatete Forest is another favourite, with mature bush and a real chance of spotting kererū.

If you’re coastal, Plummers Point has estuary and bush birds in one loop, and Mount Drury is perfect for a quick count with ocean views and tūī.

Bonus points: Get involved in some conservation mahi these holidays!

Heading away these holidays?

You can still take part. Whether you’re at a campsite or visiting whanau—if you’re somewhere in Aotearoa, the survey still counts. Just log your location when you submit your data. It all helps build the national picture.

School grounds also work when the campus quietens down over the break. Image source: Pāpāmoa College, Pāpāmoa Hills and Te Ara o Wairakei Stormwater Reserve. Personal collection.

Curriculum Links:

Birds surveys are indicators of ecosystem health. If native birds like tūī start disappearing from an area, it can mean predators like rats or cats are creeping back in, or that food sources have dropped off. If there’s a big spike in introduced species, that might suggest habitat loss or more pressure from urbanisation as city centres begin to build up and sprawl out.

Of course, bird counts are just one part of the puzzle. Ecologists also look at trap data, insect surveys, planting records, and water quality. But because birds are so visible and relatively easy to track, they give us a really valuable snapshot—especially in places where people live.

That’s why the how matters too. Following the instructions—counting for one hour, recording the highest number of each species seen at once—keeps the data comparable and usable between regions and across years.

For us as kaiako, it’s a great example of what science citizenship can look like—and a reminder that scientific endeavours don’t just happen in isolated labs. It’s hands-on, low-stakes, and meaningful. A simple way for rangatahi to tune into their surroundings and feel part of something bigger.

Bilingual resources developed by the Science Learning Hub and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research are also available here: https://gardenbirdsurvey.nz/lesson-plan/

Learn More | Take Part Now

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